“Thank you,” she replied. “Let’s see what you think after you have to peel my ass off the ice once I start falling at the rink.”

Tristan cleared his throat, hating the fact that the innocent comment drew his attention to her ass as she sashayed in front of him in the direction of her building’s parking space. He ignored the way his lower belly burned, an acknowledgment that he wouldn’t mind handling her ass in any way she’d allow.

“I got us some hot chocolates,” he said once they’d settled into his SUV. She grinned hard as she reached out for the takeaway cup he offered.

“Thank God. I was about to ask you to swing by somewhere. I love cold days, but I need a few hot drinks to get my day started.”

He pulled a tiny bottle of whiskey from his pocket and handed it to her with an exaggerated flourish. “For old times’ sake.”

She chuckled. “Not us already having a signature drink. Be sure to let your mother know for when she invariably starts planning the wedding.”

He loved that she felt comfortable enough to make a joke that had the potential to land awkwardly. “Speaking of my mother, she called me at an ungodly hour this morning to demand the very answers you told me she said she’d wait until after New Year’s to get to.”

Cosima poured half of the bottle of whiskey into her hot chocolate before offering him the rest. Tristan shook his head, “Save mine for when we get to the rink.”

Cosima tucked the the bottle into her handbag before turning her attention back to the conversation at hand.

“What did you tell her?”

“The truth.”

Her eyes widened. “Stop. You’re lying. You went through all of that to fold like laundry once she started asking questions?”

“I know you didn’t say fold like laundry,” he laughed.

“What? Do you prefer origami?”

“Look,” Tristan said, almost choking on his laughter, “leave me alone.”

“Okay, okay. But how did she react to you lying to her?”

He glanced toward her as he shifted the car into gear and pulled out of the parking space. “I think she was too pleased with me thanking her for being the best wingwoman to ever exist.”

He loved how expressive her face was as it took her a few seconds to work out what he meant.

“You would’ve asked me to spend Christmas with you regardless?”

“I was going to try my damn best. My mother just helped ease it along.”

“What did she say when she found out you only met me last night?”