Chapter 74

“Was that true?”

he asked Eddy. “The story of how you nearly saw your Father Christmas?”

Eddy laughed,

his breath expelling in soft bursts of white mist on the chill air. “You mean,

my father. I’m sure that’s who it was. And yes, it’s true, though I

embellished it for your nosey brothers.”

“And very well.”

“It’s my job.”

Eddy gave his cheeky smile that promised everything wicked, and always got Nuri

hot under the collar.

“No, it’s your

talent.” Nuri paused on the pavement outside the house and Eddy braked to a

halt beside him, flailing comically so he didn’t fall. Nuri turned and took

Eddy’s face in his gloved hands. “Come here, my special storyteller.”

“I look

dreadful. My nose is red,” Eddy complained. His cheeks were too, but Nuri knew

that was from a different reason than the cold. “My lips are dry.”

“Okay then,”

Nuri said calmly. “I’ll wait to kiss you until June.”

Eddy snorted

with laughter.

Nuri kissed him