Magic & Mistletoe by A Quill && Flame Christmas Anthology

Author:A Quill && Flame Christmas Anthology [A Quill && Flame Christmas Anthology]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quill & Flame Publishing House
Published: 2023-10-10T00:00:00+00:00

On any given night, Sweetie’s is always hopping. With coffee, tea, cider, and cocoa, cookies, scones, and other delectable pastries, it is the place to go to study. Jazz versions of popular Christmas songs waft down the street, along with the sweet scents of tomorrow's confections from the oven exhausts. Chocolate and spice swirl in the warm air as I push into the little cafe with a sigh of contentment. Once upon a time, this had been home away from home.

My eyes scan over the interior of Sweetie’s. Nothing has changed in the months I’ve been gone. The light blue floral wallpaper is mostly obscured by pictures and plaques with Ms. Esperanza’s favorite quotes. The plaques are all chalkboards, allowing the artistic woman to change out the quotes as much as she wants. The pictures, too, are photos local photographers have captured and submitted, hoping for the chance to have their art on the walls of the coffee shop gallery. My favorite is from the senior dance at old Mr. Richard’s farm. While I hadn’t gone with Nico—he’d already started dating Genevieve by that point—it had been the highlight of my senior year.

Unbuttoning my jacket, I step up to the counter, trying not to scowl as I catch sight of the person steaming the milk for lattes. Nico is splashing a zigzag of caramel over the foam of a latte for the customer before me. A customer I know all too well when her perky, annoying laugh echoes through the tiny space.

Genevieve.

Nico smiles politely and hands her the finished drink. I bristle as her fingers skim his. I duck my head and step forward, bumping into her arm with a fake mumbled apology.

Her sharp blue eyes meet mine, and I smile—though it probably makes me look sadistic. I can’t stand her. She stole away my best friend. Hurt not only me, but Pops and Nan, as well. I won’t let her get away with it.

“Nat.” Her tone is civil, albeit colder than a frozen lake.

“Gen.”

“What can I get for you, Nat?” Nico asks, his tone as sweet as a Christmas cookie. I turn toward him when Gen bumps into me. Something hot splashes across my face, burning and sticky, as Gen’s latte scalds its way down my face.

“Oops. Sorry, Nat.”

I blink, pain igniting another round of tears. “You little—”

Before I can finish my less than complimentary name for the woman before me, Nico has grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the single stall bathroom at the back of the shop. He all but shoves me inside, locking the door behind him. He grabs a fistful of paper towels and wets them before reaching out to wipe the hot drink off my face.

“Are you all right?” he asks, worry etching lines across his forehead. “That drink was hot.”

“No kidding.” I sniff, stiffening as his hand cups my cheek to hold me in place. “She’s such a—”

Nico steps closer, silencing me as my back bumps into the wall. We’re alone. In a bathroom.

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