Page 38 of Holly Jolly Heat
I settled at the dining room table, close enough to monitor but not in frame, and opened my laptop to actual work. Lucas's content calendar needed finalization, and I had emails to send about the New Year's stream sponsorship.
Professional. Manageable. Safe.
"Going live in three... two... one..." Dex counted down, and Lucas's entire demeanor shifted into his streaming persona.
"Hey, Cozy Crew!" His voice was warm and welcoming, that signature sunshine energy that had made him successful. "Welcome to a very special holiday stream. I'm here in beautiful Cedar Falls, Oregon, and I've got a treat for you today, my amazing manager's stepdad, Bill, is teaching me his wife's famous gingerbread recipe."
The chat feed on my screen exploded with comments.
CozyFan22: CEDAR FALLS?? Are you on location??
HolidayVibes: WAIT is that the mystery woman's hometown??
StreamSniper: FAMILY RECIPE CONTENT OMG
LukesOmega: this is so wholesome I'm crying
Bill was a natural on camera, telling stories about how he'd learned the recipe from Janet, about family holiday traditions, about the importance of good gingerbread. Lucas asked questions, engaged genuinely, and the whole thing had this warm, cozy energy that was exactly his brand.
I tried to focus on my work. Really tried.
But I kept glancing up at the stream, watching Lucas in his element. He was so good at this, making people feel welcome,creating comfort, building community. No wonder he had a hundred thousand followers. I didn’t want to admit how long I’d been one of them either.
"Now, the secret to Janet's gingerbread," Bill was saying, "is the molasses to ginger ratio. You want that perfect balance of sweet and spice."
CozyFan22: taking notes furiously
HolidayVibes: BILL IS EVERYONE'S DAD NOW
LukesOmega: wait who's Janet? mystery woman's mom??
I smiled despite myself. The viewers were already treating my family like they were part of the community.
"Michelle!" Josh's voice made me look up. "Can you get the cookie cutters from the top shelf? Lucas needs them."
"I'm working?—"
"It'll take two seconds," Lucas added, and there was something hopeful in his expression that made it impossible to refuse.
I stood, very aware of the cameras as I moved into the kitchen space. Ro adjusted the angle slightly, keeping me mostly out of frame, but I knew viewers would catch glimpses.
I reached for the top shelf where Mom kept the vintage cookie cutters, stretching up on my toes.
"Let me help," Lucas said, suddenly right behind me.
He was tall enough to easily reach the shelf, but instead of just grabbing the cutters, he put one hand on my waist to steady me, reaching past with the other.
We were close. Very close. His cedar-vanilla scent wrapped around me, and I could hear his sharp intake of breath as my peppermint-pine scent hit him.
The chat feed exploded.
CozyFan22: HELLO?? WHO IS THAT
HolidayVibes: THE WAY HE JUST TOUCHED HER WAIST OMG
StreamSniper: COZYLUKE HAS A GIRLFRIEND???
LukesOmega: my username is suddenly ironic
