Page 16 of Carved in Ice (Made of Steel 3)

“No, I like it just the way it is,” I said and pulled my hot chocolate away from Miles.

“I know, but I’m telling you it’s better with whipped cream.” He stared at me like I was the dumbest person on the planet.

I was not an idiot. And he was being mean again for no reason at all. “It’s better with marshmallows…doofus.” It was the strongest insult I could think of off the top of my head.

He laughed.

I tried not to let the sound make me smile, but I felt the corners of my mouth lifting.

“Have you ever even tried it with whipped cream?” Miles asked.

I started tapping my heels against the wooden stool. “No.”

“Then you stop being a doofus.” He moved the can of whipped cream closer to my mug and I pushed it away.

He glared at me.

I glared back.

“You’re a ridiculous human being, Summer.”

For a moment I just let myself be happy that he had actually acknowledged me by name. “At least I’m a good human.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Miles set the whipped cream down on the counter.

“I care about all animals. I follow my parents' rules as best as I can. And my dad says I’m the sweetest person in the whole wide world.”

Miles laughed.

“And I’m actually nice to everyone.” I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Unlike some people,” I added under my breath.

He laughed. “Just try it, will you? And I’ll try the stupid marshmallows.”

“Never.” I lifted up my hot chocolate with marshm

allows and took a huge sip. “It’s hot!” I started fanning my mouth. Ow. I stuck out my tongue and Miles took the opportunity to spray a huge dollop of whipped cream on my tongue.

It immediately cooled my mouth down.

“Good, right?” He stuck his tongue out and squirted some on it.

I laughed and some of the whipped cream flew off my tongue and into my hot chocolate. I looked down at the ruined beverage.

“Trust me, you’re going to like it.”

I looked back up at Miles. He was already sipping his hot cocoa like it wasn’t scalding hot. And he was smiling. I really did like his smile. Maybe a little whipped cream wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Especially if it made him this happy.

“You okay?” Eli asked. His hand on my shoulder finally pulled me back to the present.

“What?” I shook my head and turned off the burner. “Oh. Yeah, I’m fine. Actually, I want to try it your way. Microwaved milk and all.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “I’m sure it’ll be great.” If I had been willing to try it Miles’ way, I could try it Eli’s way. Miles had been right too, hot cocoa was really yummy with whipped cream.

Eli started pouring milk into the mugs again. “Do you want any, V?” he asked.

When V didn’t respond, Eli turned around. “Huh. Guess he’s not a big fan of hot chocolate.”

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