primly, wrinkling her nose in distaste.
Phoebe laughed.
“It’s not like he’s spying on you with a telescope every second of the day.”
Thank God, thought Phoebe, fighting a blush at the sudden image of Nick’s mouth frying brain cells with each hot, wicked stroke of his tongue.
She scrambled to think of a way to explain it.
“It’s more of a feeling he gets when he thinks about you . And it’s not Santa you have to worry about, anyway. It’s the magical Naughty/Nice List.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have smoked that last cigarette behind the store today,” muttered George.
“George! You told me you gave up that filthy habit.”
She glared at her husband, who managed to look contrite.
“I think you’ll be fine,” said Phoebe soothingly, “It’s about trying to be a good person, nice to the people around you. The List doesn’t fault you for having weaknesses.”
“After all, you’re only human,” said Nick.
The group fell silent with Nick’s reminder that two of them were not, in fact, human at all. Phoebe groaned internally, but kept her expression pleasant as Nick seemed to realize what he’d said, and grew even tenser at her side, if that were possible.
There was a palpable wave of relief as the music started up again, and George offered his hand to Mamie. With a smile for the others and a “So nice to meet you!” for Nick and Phoebe that managed to sound sincere, they headed off to the dance floor. Luis and Tasha soon followed suit, leaving Phoebe and Nick alone, watching the dancers glide across the floor.
“Well, that was a nightmare,” muttered Nick.
“It’ll get easier with practice,” said Phoebe with more assurance than she felt, “At least they talked to us. And maybe they’ll stop by the shop.”
“Of course they will. It’s important to check out the competition. But don’t get any ideas, Phoebe.”
He turned to face her.
“They think we’re freaks.”
“Stop that right now. You don’t know that. “
She glared, but Nick only raised an infuriating eyebrow.
“Do you ever just give people a chance?”
“Why should I?”
“Because they may surprise you.”
“I may be half Kringle, but I’m Frost, too. I’ve been around a long time, Phoebe, and the only thing I’ve learned about humans is that they’re selfish, irresponsible, and a waste of time.”
The punch of disappointment shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was .
“Then I feel sad for you, Nick. What a way to live your life.”
She smiled sadly.
“And I’m half human, too, you know.”
NICK HAD NEVER WISHED for his lost powers so badly as in that moment. A snap of his fingers, a swirl of ice, and he could disappear forever. As it was, he stared at Phoebe, something ugly twisting in his gut at the realization that he was responsible for putting that forlorn expression on her face.
“Shit, Phoebe – ” he began, his stomach churning.
“Excuse me,” she said, and hurried away toward the restroom, leaving Nick standing alone.
Dammit.
Around him, the partygoers gave him a wide berth. Magical powers or no, Nick knew there was something about him that warned mortals to stay far, far away. He realized he had no need for the ice of his father’s kingdom. The chill that surrounded him when Phoebe stepped away was enough to call up a frost. He was surprised his breath didn’t freeze on the air.
“Ah, Mr. Kringle. So you came after all. Ms. Winters’ powers of persuasion must be great indeed.”
Nick turned to see Arthur Canning stepping forward, a glass of champagne in his hand. He smoothly snagged another from a passing waiter and handed it to him.
“Arthur.”
“Shall we drink to a Merry Christmas? Oh, forgive me. That’s not really your thing, is it? In that case, let’s drink to Phoebe. That is something we can certainly agree on.”
He clinked his glass to Nick’s, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Nick drank, unease prickling in his gut. He didn’t like
Phoebe laughed.
“It’s not like he’s spying on you with a telescope every second of the day.”
Thank God, thought Phoebe, fighting a blush at the sudden image of Nick’s mouth frying brain cells with each hot, wicked stroke of his tongue.
She scrambled to think of a way to explain it.
“It’s more of a feeling he gets when he thinks about you . And it’s not Santa you have to worry about, anyway. It’s the magical Naughty/Nice List.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have smoked that last cigarette behind the store today,” muttered George.
“George! You told me you gave up that filthy habit.”
She glared at her husband, who managed to look contrite.
“I think you’ll be fine,” said Phoebe soothingly, “It’s about trying to be a good person, nice to the people around you. The List doesn’t fault you for having weaknesses.”
“After all, you’re only human,” said Nick.
The group fell silent with Nick’s reminder that two of them were not, in fact, human at all. Phoebe groaned internally, but kept her expression pleasant as Nick seemed to realize what he’d said, and grew even tenser at her side, if that were possible.
There was a palpable wave of relief as the music started up again, and George offered his hand to Mamie. With a smile for the others and a “So nice to meet you!” for Nick and Phoebe that managed to sound sincere, they headed off to the dance floor. Luis and Tasha soon followed suit, leaving Phoebe and Nick alone, watching the dancers glide across the floor.
“Well, that was a nightmare,” muttered Nick.
“It’ll get easier with practice,” said Phoebe with more assurance than she felt, “At least they talked to us. And maybe they’ll stop by the shop.”
“Of course they will. It’s important to check out the competition. But don’t get any ideas, Phoebe.”
He turned to face her.
“They think we’re freaks.”
“Stop that right now. You don’t know that. “
She glared, but Nick only raised an infuriating eyebrow.
“Do you ever just give people a chance?”
“Why should I?”
“Because they may surprise you.”
“I may be half Kringle, but I’m Frost, too. I’ve been around a long time, Phoebe, and the only thing I’ve learned about humans is that they’re selfish, irresponsible, and a waste of time.”
The punch of disappointment shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was .
“Then I feel sad for you, Nick. What a way to live your life.”
She smiled sadly.
“And I’m half human, too, you know.”
NICK HAD NEVER WISHED for his lost powers so badly as in that moment. A snap of his fingers, a swirl of ice, and he could disappear forever. As it was, he stared at Phoebe, something ugly twisting in his gut at the realization that he was responsible for putting that forlorn expression on her face.
“Shit, Phoebe – ” he began, his stomach churning.
“Excuse me,” she said, and hurried away toward the restroom, leaving Nick standing alone.
Dammit.
Around him, the partygoers gave him a wide berth. Magical powers or no, Nick knew there was something about him that warned mortals to stay far, far away. He realized he had no need for the ice of his father’s kingdom. The chill that surrounded him when Phoebe stepped away was enough to call up a frost. He was surprised his breath didn’t freeze on the air.
“Ah, Mr. Kringle. So you came after all. Ms. Winters’ powers of persuasion must be great indeed.”
Nick turned to see Arthur Canning stepping forward, a glass of champagne in his hand. He smoothly snagged another from a passing waiter and handed it to him.
“Arthur.”
“Shall we drink to a Merry Christmas? Oh, forgive me. That’s not really your thing, is it? In that case, let’s drink to Phoebe. That is something we can certainly agree on.”
He clinked his glass to Nick’s, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Nick drank, unease prickling in his gut. He didn’t like
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