I shake my head with a smile because my friends are still so impossible. “Believe whatever you want. I’m heading down.”
The hallway is full of girls walking back and forth between the rooms or just hanging out outside. There are a handful in the foyer, too, but it’s mostly empty. I spot Kylen sitting at the counter with the ingredients to make hot chocolate. When he sees me, he waves me over.
“Hey,” I say as I climb onto a stool. “Have you ever made hot chocolate before?”
“Sure. My grandma makes the best hot chocolate in the world. It doesn’t get super cold in Seattle like in New York or Boston, but I loved the cold days where I could snuggle up with a yummy cup of my grandma’s awesome hot chocolate. And today, you get to learn how to make it.”
“I’ll have to make it for Robin when I get home. She loves hot chocolate, and she’ll probably love it even more if it’s your recipe.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” I playfully shove his shoulder. “Every time I call her, she asks about you. I don’t know what you said to her at Parents’ Day, but she worships you like you’re the best older brother in the world.”
His face lights up and softens at the same time. “That means a lot to me. I’ve always wanted a younger sibling. I’d love to beher older brother. Maybe I can check on her when we get back to school? I’d like to see how she’s doing.”
“Sure. I know she’d love that. Now, tell me how to make this yummy hot chocolate. My mouth is already watering.”
He does as I ask, showing me step-by-step how to do it. It’s not a difficult recipe at all, and I find myself creating my own in a matter of minutes.
“Awesome,” Kylen says as he holds out his mug.
I clink it with mine and then take a sip. Then I almost drop it and gasp. “Oh my gosh! This is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life.” I proceed to chug more of it down, but I have to be careful because it’s hot.
Kylen grins as he takes another sip of his. “Told you. Nothing beats my grandma’s.”
“Thanks so much for sharing it with me. I don’t think I can ever have any other hot chocolate as long as I live.”
As we continue sipping our drinks and exchanging a few words, the foyer starts emptying out. It’s getting pretty late and most of the kids are tired from today’s activities. I’m not tired at all. This hot chocolate has zapped me with newfound energy. I bet I can stay up for another four hours.
Kylen tilts his head toward the fireplace. “Want to sit there? The spot’s empty.”
“Sure.”
We get up and lower ourselves on the cushions some other kids left behind. The warmth feels so good on my body. Even though the fireplace does a good job of heating the whole place up, it feels so much better right in front of it.
“Are you still Mrs. Tin Man or is it time to have a divorce?” he asks with a crooked smile.
“It’s a little better,” I admit as I take another sip of the delicious hot chocolate. “This definitely helped.”
“I knew it would. Beck is a little sore, even with working out every night. I guess I’m just amazing.”
“Oh, you definitely are. Did you invite Beck for hot chocolate, too?”
He’s quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head. “I just wanted to invite you.”
Now there’s added heat to my face due to my blush. “It is nice, isn’t it? Just the two of us?”
“I’d like to think so.”
“How were you so good on the slopes?” I ask. “It’s obvious you’re not a beginner.”
“Jasper’s parents take the family every year over winter break. I’ve always gone with them because they knew my grandparents were too elderly to do it. It was so awesome of them, and I’ve always been grateful. I guess I never took those trips for granted and put everything I had into having a great time.”
“And the result is you being a pro.”
He laughs softly. “I wouldn’t go that far, but I try to be the best so I can have the best time, if that makes sense.”
“Don’t worry, it does.”
