Page 42 of A Snowy Escape

I hold my breath as I prepare to check who’s on the other side of the door. My hands fist and unfurl, as though that might give me extra strength.

The person knocks again before I get stretched up on my tiptoes.

I squeak, pulling my hand to cover my mouth.

“Abby? You awake? It’s Bryant. Shit, I probably should have texted before coming up.”

My entire body sags against the door, and I exhale heavily, nodding.

It’s just Bryant.

Tommy didn’t track us down.

I managed to freak myself out over nothing. Flipping the locks, I pull the door open.

A bitter gust of cold wind smacks me in the face as Bryant slips inside.

“Good morning, ladies,” he says, winking before he bends down to pat Echo’s head.

My eyes widen.

He’s loaded down with bags.

“Whoa, do you want me to take any of that?” I ask as I close the door and flip the dead bolt.

“Nah, I’ve got it,” he says, skirting around Echo and walking over to the table. “Are you guys headed out for a walk?”

“Yeah, she hasn’t had a bathroom break this morning,” I admit, wondering why he’s here.

“Ah, well, let’s take her out,” he says, smiling brightly. “Then I’ll show you what I brought.”

That sounds good, but it didn’t clear up my confusion, not even one tiny bit.

* * *

We make it back inside, and Bryant leads me to the table with his hands on my shoulders.

It’s still early.

I hadn’t even had the chance to brush my teeth, since Echo woke me up heavy-breathing on my face. She’s usually pretty good about letting me sleep, but when it gets to that step, I know it’s serious.

“Are you hungry? I brought breakfast.” He slides around me as we make it to the table, pulling out a chair. “I got you the same thing as last time. Bacon, hash browns, French toast, and eggs, but I noticed you didn’t eat them the other day, so we can give them to Echo if eggs aren’t your thing.”

“I can’t do eggs. I have no idea why they gross me out, but they do.” I take a seat, and Bryant moves behind me, pushing in my chair.

“Noted.” He chuckles. “Well, Echo will be happy to have them. I got them scrambled with cheese just because I had a feeling you weren’t a big egg person. Do you want me to have them swapped out with something next time?”

Next time?

My hair is a poof ball from rolling around all night.

I’m rocking my Christmas pajamas.

Not to be redundant, but I still haven’t brushed my teeth.

While I’m not sure why anyone as sexy as Bryant would want my breakfast order, I’m hopeful that means he likes me too.

I smile over my shoulder at him. “Honestly, bacon, hash browns, and French toast is plenty.”