Page 166 of Well That Happened

Outside, the snow falls thick and silent.

Inside?

I think maybe I’m finally learning how to breathe again.

I’m warm, and tucked against Caleb’s side, one of his big arms draped lazily over my shoulders like I’m his favorite blanket. The fire’s crackling, and I close my eyes—just for a minute.

Not asleep, but not fully awake either.

Grayson clears his throat across the coffee table. “Okay. Would you rather have to orgasm every time you sneeze or sneeze every time you orgasm?”

Hunter groans. “Gray. Come on. That’s disgusting.”

“You’re just mad because your allergies would make you a menace.”

“I’d be inperpetual danger,” Caleb says, rubbing my arm like this is normal conversation. “One whiff of dust and it’s game over.”

I snort into his hoodie.

Hunter narrows his eyes. “Wait—Rilee’s awake. Don’t answer anything else until she’s fully unconscious.”

Grayson looks smug. “Too late. She laughed.”

“Barely,” I mumble without opening my eyes.

“She’s conscious enough to judge us,” Caleb stage-whispers. “Proceed carefully.”

Grayson leans forward. “Okay, new one. Would you rather have nipples for toes or toes for nipples?”

I open one eye. “What kind of hell game is this?”

Hunter doesn’t even blink. “Nipples for toes. I wear socks anyway.”

Caleb nods solemnly. “You could get them pierced. Bedazzled toe-nips.”

“Please stop,” I mutter.

“No one is touching my feet,” Grayson says, offended. “Not even for science.”

I groan and burrow deeper into Caleb’s hoodie. “This is what I get for letting you three take me to a cabin.”

“A warm fire. Hot cocoa. High-level philosophical nipple debates,” Caleb says proudly. “This is peak romance.”

I don’t answer.

Mostly because I’m laughing too hard.

* * *

I’m not saying Iregretthe rule.

Last night, I was so fried from finals I could barely form a coherent sentence, let alone handle the energy of three very affectionate, very handsy hockey players. So when Hunter called a house-wide time-out—no touching Rilee, she’s fried—I was honestly grateful.

They can be… a lot. In the best way. But still.

And itwasnice. Just one night to rest, to be taken care of without expectation.

Today was… kind of perfect, honestly.

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