Page 65 of Holly Jolly Heat
She'd done it again. Jumped to my defense. Put herself on camera, made herself vulnerable, revealed that I mattered to her.
And this time, she'd stayed.
The next hour was simultaneously the best and most challenging stream I'd ever done.
Best because Michelle was there, working on her laptop, occasionally commenting on chat, existing in my space like it was natural.
Challenging because I was hyperaware of her every movement, every glance, every tiny smile.
"The candy cane cluster needs something in the center," I explained. "Somewhere for the eye to go. You know, I’m starting to think of this as not a gingerbread house, but a gingerbread community center. We’re building this together as a community, and community means connecting to one another. Connection is important."
"Backed by research," Michelle added without looking up. "Community spaces in residential areas increase happiness metrics in simulation games by an average of 23%."
"See?" I said, grinning. "This is why Michelle's the best. Stats for everything."
"It's literally my job to know metrics."
"It's hot that you know metrics."
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Michelle's head snapped up, eyes wide. The chat went absolutely feral.
"I meant—" I scrambled, "—in a professional way. Professional appreciation for statistical knowledge."
"Lucas." Michelle was trying not to smile. "Stop talking."
"Stopping talking now."
But Michelle was smiling. Actually smiling, not trying to hide it.
We continued with Michelle providing occasional commentary, dry observations, statistical data, efficient responses to chat questions. She was brilliant and herself.
And chat loved her.
When I finally wrapped up the stream, thanking viewers and ending the broadcast, the three of us sat in the sudden quiet of the living room.
"That was progress," Ro said, smiling. "Michelle stayed on camera for an hour. Defended you again."
"And flirted," Dex added. "She definitely flirted."
"I was teasing," Michelle protested. "Not flirting."
"You laughed at his jokes. You smiled when he called your metrics knowledge hot. You stayed in frame." Dex's expression was gentle. "That was flirting."
Michelle looked overwhelmed, grabbed her laptop, and fled upstairs to process.
The three of us watched her go.
"She stayed for an hour," Ro repeated.
"Because she cares," I said quietly.
Later that night, I couldn't sleep. I heard footsteps going downstairs, Michelle, stress-baking at midnight.
I found her in the kitchen, pulling out supplies.
"Can't sleep either?" I asked.
