While You Were Creeping - Poppy Rhys Page 0,12

Laughed! Roared with it. If I weren’t so irritated, I might admit that it was a warm sound that coated me like gooey marshmallow fluff and curled my toes inside my green boots.

“Go screw yourself,” I grated, jabbing my elbow into his side. His surprised grunt was satisfying, and his laughter faded into quiet chuckles until he was silent again.

A handful of uncomfortable seconds ticked by before I couldn’t take it anymore. “Ya know what? I’m going to prove it to you.”

After a couple commands, the hover transport redirected, looping around the town square and back toward the Reindeer Bowl Café or, as most residents called it, The Bowl.

I had enough time that I could still make it across town to the meeting after a quick stop. I could use a little something-something in my cocoa since I’d have to see Perry, but I needed all my wits about me.

Raincheck on the boozy cocoa.

“Come on. You’re gonna learn today!”

I opened the shop’s door, the cozy café smelling of fluffy pastry, sticky sugar, and various sweet and savory beverages. Townsfolk and tourists alike—human and alien—were scattered around tables and comfortable armchairs, sipping and munching.

It didn’t escape my notice that Kye drew a few curious stares. Krampus was pretty popular around Tinsel this time of year and Kye looked like a real one.

“Hi Holly, welcome back!” Shira greeted when we got to the counter. I might’ve been a regular around here, but hey, can’t beat free. “Same as usual?”

“Make it two, please.”

Her inquisitive brown gaze floated over Kye before she nodded. “Comin’ right up.”

For the past few years, I always came in here alone. It did feel a little weird to be here with someone.

I side-eyed Kye for a stealthy glance. He was standing much too close. I made a mental note to ask him if he had any shirts. While I figured he was plenty warm with his full body pelt, his hairy chest was just bare for all to see.

“Here ya go!” Shira slid a tray toward me, loaded with two giant mugs of their famous cocoa, tons of mini marshmallows, enough whipped giotoro cream to drown in, topped with shaved chocolate, caramel bits, and a peppermint stirring stick.

“The hell is that...”

“Uh huh,” I taunted, waggling my eyebrows as I took my mug. “Wait until you taste it.”

We moved to stand at the bar by the windows at the front of the shop, his hooves clip-clopping against the floor.

I’d learned long ago how to properly drink this beverage. It took skill to come away unscathed.

Skill Kye didn’t have.

He took his first sip...

And came away with a huge, messy whipped cream mustache. He even had a little on the top of his flat nose.

“Shit, that’s good!” He took another gulp, and I had no idea how he wasn’t burning his lips off.

“I told you!” I grinned, eating all the whipped cream on mine before I took a sip. No mustache that way.

I handed Kye a couple napkins and gestured to his face. “Should probably clean that up.”

He tried. Failed.

“I get it all?”

“Here...” I grabbed more napkins and, before I could think about it, I reached up to dab at his nose. His pupils widened slightly, and my smile slowly faded.

What was I doing? Dabbing cream off his nose like we knew each other. Like we were friends. Like he wasn’t a convict—for crimes of which I didn’t know yet—and I wasn’t about to ask him for a huge favor.

“Holly?” A nasally voice I knew all too well snapped us out of our locked gazes. “I didn’t think I’d see you here!”

I balled up the used napkin and turned, eyes landing on the person who offended every sense I had.

“Perry,” I greeted, not even bothering to smile. We’d both know it was fake anyhow, and that was her gig, not mine. “Yep, I come to The Bowl, just like everyone else in this town.”

“Always so funny.” She swatted a manicured hand through the air—the left one, I should add. The one with the big ol’ dark blue aerulian gemstone that George’s great, great grandmother had passed down. A gift from the tenth dynasty of planet Aeru’shek.

Yeah, it’s a big deal in his family.

At one point, everyone was sure I’d end up with it on my finger but alas...

Perry’s blue eyes darted from me to Kye, who’d set down his mug and was silently standing by.

“Who’s this?”

‘None of your kixwax’ my inner child wanted to scream.

“This is Kye,” I started, rushing for some