Snowed In With Grinchy: A Sweet Christmas Short Romance (Snowed In For Christmas Book 2) by Em Tate

Author:Em Tate [Tate, Em]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-26T00:00:00+00:00

6

Charcuterie and Cheer

Xavier

With the delightful chaos of my parents settling in, I excuse myself from the conversation to head into the kitchen. I can hear their cheerful voices blending with Ginger's laughter as I rummage through the fridge for supplies. There’s a warmth in the air now, a cozy vibe that wasn’t here before, and I find myself feeling lighter than I have in ages.

I’ve always preferred solitude, but having Ginger here feels… nice. There’s a liveliness about her that I didn’t know I needed. I glance over at the living room, where she’s animatedly chatting with my parents. It’s easy to see why they’re drawn to her; she has this infectious enthusiasm, and it’s hard not to smile just watching her.

As I gather ingredients for a makeshift charcuterie board, I can’t help but chuckle to myself. “Professional holiday cheerleader,” I murmur, shaking my head. I wouldn’t have imagined a woman like Ginger would waltz into my life, all sunshine and laughter, and make me reconsider everything.

I pull out an assortment of cheeses, meats, and crackers, setting them on the counter. “Alright, let’s make this snack as festive as possible,” I say to myself, slicing a wedge of sharp cheddar.

“Need any help?” Ginger calls from the living room, her voice drifting through the air like a holiday melody.

“Nope, I’m a one-man charcuterie machine!” I shout back, trying to keep the mood light. I’m not exactly a culinary genius, but I can throw together a snack tray that won’t embarrass me.

I can hear her chuckle, and it warms me from the inside out. “I’ll hold you to that! You’re not allowed to leave out the festive touches!”

“Okay, Miss Elf-Decorator,” I reply, snorting. “But if I get creative with the olives, it’s not my fault if they look like little reindeer.”

“Then we can call it a holiday special!” she laughs, and I can’t help but smile.

As I arrange the snacks on a platter, my parents stroll into the kitchen, curiosity written all over their faces. “What do you have cooking in here?” my mom asks, peering over my shoulder.

“Just putting together a little charcuterie board,” I say, trying to sound casual. “You know, the usual—bread, cheese, olives.”

“Excellent choice! Ginger, you’ll have to try this,” my dad says, grabbing a piece of salami and popping it in his mouth. “Xavier’s a hidden culinary talent. Just look at him go!”

“Hidden talent?” I raise an eyebrow, smirking. “I’m pretty sure ‘passable snack maker’ doesn’t make me a culinary artist.”

Ginger steps into the kitchen, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I think it’s wonderful! I’ve seen the charcuterie trend blow up on Instagram, but I never thought I’d see it in person. You’re so fancy!”

I shrug, trying to downplay it. “It’s just some snacks, really. Nothing to write home about.”

My mom nudges me playfully. “You’re being too modest, Xavier. You know your way around the kitchen better than you let on. I think it’s great you’re showing off a bit.”

“Maybe he’s trying to impress his new girlfriend,”

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