Kiss and Don't Tell(57)

“I’m not laughing at you. I saw a funny bird fly by.”

“You’re such a bad liar.” I place my hand on one of the cars in the garage and take a deep breath. “Oh God, my legs. Why are they seizing on me?”

“You need to take a bath, or better yet, sit in the hot tub for a bit.”

“There’s a hot tub here?” I ask.

“Yes, in the pool room.”

“Ah, yes, the pool room,” I say in a hoity-toity voice. “Why didn’t I think to check there? Silly me.”

“Come on, smart-ass.” Pacey opens the door for me and I hobble in, every muscle in my legs on fire. Working out with a professional athlete when you don’t normally work out isn’t recommended. I didn’t even do that much, but just what we did do is killing me. “Want to give the boys their gifts and then hit up the hot tub?”

“Yes, Jesus Christ, yes.”

Pacey lets out a hearty laugh as we pass his room, then mine, and then go to the main living area. Stephan is cooking. Halsey is lying across the couch reading, as usual. Eli is playing cards with Levi at the table, some sort of speed game that keeps their attention on the table in front of them, and Silas is nowhere to be seen.

“Hey,” Pacey says.

Halsey looks up from his book and asks, “What’s up? Have fun?”

Surprised he spoke, I say, “We did have fun. Got some presents for you guys.”

“Presents?” Levi asks, slapping his arm across the cards on the table. “Pause, man. I want presents.”

Chuckling, I take the bags from Pacey to the dining room table. I open the first one and hand Levi his fudge.

“You’re an angel.” He tears open the box and takes a bite of it faster than I can explain why I got them something. Moaning, he sinks back in his chair and clutches the fudge to his chest.

“Glad you like it.” I chuckle. “I wanted to get you all something for being cool about me staying here with you. I know I’m crimping your bachelor style, but I truly appreciate it.”

“You’re not crimping anything,” Eli says while looking past my shoulder to Pacey. “Just glad you’re able to have a place to stay while you’re here.”

“Thank you.” I reach into the bag and pull out the red hat I got for Eli. I hand it to him and watch his face genuinely light up when he sees it. “Pacey told me you collect them.”

“I do,” Eli says, fitting it on his head. “I love it. I don’t have a red one yet. This is awesome. Thank you.” He adjusts the bill, and I have to admit, not only is he a pretty man, but he looks damn good in a baseball hat, too. Just one of those people who looks good no matter what.

Turning toward Halsey, I say, “And since you love to read, I found an old bookstore in town and they happened to have my favorite Lee Child book. Not sure if you’ve read it, but I figured I’d get it for you anyway.” I hand him the book and the smallest of smirks appears on his face.

“I actually haven’t read this one yet, but it’s on my list. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I move over to the kitchen where Stephan is tossing a salad, and I pull out the apron I found for him as we were walking back to the car after the gondola ride. I made Pacey stop so I could grab it.

I hand Stephan the apron and say, “I noticed you tend to get food all over your clothes and thought this would be helpful. It’s classy, none of that ‘kiss the chef’ crap.”

He laughs and puts it on. He ties it around his waist and says, “Thank you, Winnie. You didn’t have to get me anything, but I do appreciate it. And for reference, I wouldn’t have minded a ‘kiss the chef’ apron. Wouldn’t kill these guys to kiss me every once in a while.”

“I didn’t know you take make-out sessions over money,” Silas says, walking in with an empty beer bottle in his hand. “Dude, I would’ve puckered up a long time ago.”

“I prefer your money.” Stephan goes back to his salad while Silas sets his empty bottle near the sink and then turns toward us.

“You’ve been gone all day. What did you do?”

For some reason, Silas makes me feel really nervous, so I let Pacey tell him.

“Went into town, did some shopping, stopped at the cidery and picked up some cider. It’s in the car.”

“On it,” Levi says as he heads down the hallway toward the garage. Pacey wasn’t kidding—Levi really does like the cider.

“Then we took the Banff Gondola up the mountain.”

“Cool,” Silas says while folding his arms over his chest. “Did I hear something about gifts?”

“Yes,” I say, feeling shaky. Instead of reaching into his bag and handing him his cup, I just give him the bag and then take a step back. I feel like if I’m too close to him, I might get burned, so I keep my distance.

“Thanks,” he says awkwardly while opening the bag. He pulls out the wooden pint glass with “Hostess with the Mostest” and I wince, waiting to see if he’s going to like it. He snorts and then nods while examining the cup. “This is far too kind, not quite accurate given how I’ve been a dick lately, but I appreciate it.”

“Well, I appreciate you letting me be here. I know it’s not how you envisioned your time off, so I want you all to know I appreciate it.”