Page 95 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas
“Good plan.”
By the time Anna got changed into her pyjamas, the temperature had noticeably dropped. She rushed from the bathroom and shot under the covers, shivering as she snuggled down.
“It’s cold,” she said, stating the obvious.
Warren shrugged and threw an extra blanket on top of the duvet.
“Aren’t you freezing?” she asked, the sight of him in a short-sleeved T-shirt making her shiver even more.
“Not really,” he said. “You’re just a bit pathetic, I reckon.”
She averted her gaze as he removed his jeans.
“Here,” he said, flinging one of his jumpers at her. “Put that on.”
“Thank you.” She sat up and pulled it on, getting a whiff of his scent as she did.
Feeling much cosier, she settled herself on the pillow and watched Warren get into bed.
“What are you so happy about?” he asked when she grinned at him.
“Your family,” she said, then shook with laughter. “They’re hilarious.”
“You weren’t so amused a few hours ago when you wanted to pack your bags and leave.”
“True,” she said as he switched the light off.
“You also might not find them particularly funny tomorrow when you wake to the sound of my sister squawking about not being able to have a hot shower.”
“Maybe not.” Gradually, her gaze adjusted to the darkness, and she could just make out the angles of Warren’s face. “Do you wish we hadn’t come?” she asked quietly.
He hesitated for long enough that she wasn’t sure he was going to answer. “No. It’s actually been okay.”
“Really? This family trip has been better than others?”
“Yes.” His laughter reverberated around the quiet room. “I realise how ridiculous that must seem.”
She wouldn’t call it ridiculous, just very sad. “Sorry,” she whispered.
He sighed heavily. “Shut up and go to sleep. You’re annoying me.”
“I’d apologise, but it turns out I quite like annoying you.”
“Go to sleep,” he said again, but she could hear the smile in his voice.
Warren woke with Anna fixed to his side like a limpet. Her right arm was draped over his chest, and her legs were entwined with his.
“Sorry,” she said, apparently sensing him waking. “I was cold.”
“You’re wearing a hat in bed,” he remarked, ignoring the way his body responded to hers and focusing on the fluffy bobble on top of her hat, which tickled his neck.
“My ears got cold in the night. I had to go and find it.” She shifted her head on his chest to look up at him. “Sorry for using you as a hot water bottle.”
“It’s okay,” he said, wishing she’d get off him, while also wishing they never had to move.
She was his best friend’s sister, and he’d told Lewis there was nothing more than friendship between the two of them.
“I don’t know if I’m brave enough to venture out of this bed,” she said lightly. “It’s very cold outside of these blankets.”
