When the waitress brought the check, Riley realized they’d been there for over an hour and Thorne hadn’t mentioned any need to get back to work. Would wonders never cease?

“I’ll get this,” Riley said, trying to grab the check before Thorne did.

“We’ll split it.”

Riley noticed the tension in Thorne’s jaw. He hated not paying for both of them, but Riley needed them on equal ground even if Thorne could have bought everything on the menu and never noticed the expense.

After they paid, they exited the restaurant together and walked toward Thorne’s office. The atmosphere was more awkward than it had been the night before, possibly because it felt like they were both holding their breaths, unsure where to go from there. Riley shivered as cold wind seemed to cut right through his coat. His phone buzzed in his pocket as he neared the spot where he would have to let Thorne go with so many things still unsaid. He pulled it out and saw a text from Marc. Lunch over? Needing a Rudolph fix? Bring your man.

As much as Riley loved the idea of curling up on the couch watching Rudolph—or any Christmas special for that matter—with Thorne, he knew Thorne had to get back to work. He also knew Marc had ulterior motives. Since the Say Anything evening, he was all for Thorne and Riley getting back together.

Riley shoved the phone back in his pocket. They were across the street from Thorne’s office now. He only had a few seconds to decide what to do.

“So, do we keep going slow?” Thorne asked.

Was that what Riley wanted? No, he wanted to shove Thorne up against the tree behind him and take him rough and hard, but that was clearly out of the question. “That’s probably best.”

Thorne nodded. He glanced around as if checking out the environment. “I would kiss you good-bye but…” He shrugged and leaned in to give Riley a quick brush of his lips across his cheek. Riley moaned as Thorne pulled back, needing more.

At that moment, he realized snow had begun to fall, tiny flakes that glittered in the weak sunshine. “It’s snowing.”

Thorne smiled. “I didn’t believe it would.”

December snow was rare in Atlanta. Riley had a crazy thought that it was a sign. “I know you’re supposed to be at work, but do you want to come back to my apartment and watch Rudolph?”

Thorne frowned. “The Christmas special or does that imply something kinky I’m not aware of?”

He laughed. “No. Marc and I are suckers for Christmas shows. He asked if I wanted to watch one this afternoon and, well…”