frostbite

Chapter 34: Morning Mischief

After breakfast, Eden stretched back in her chair, feeling the weight of everything that had happened last night settle in. The teasing, the tension, the strange comfort she felt around Evelyn—it was all still there, simmering just beneath the surface. Evelyn, as always, looked perfectly composed, calmly sipping her coffee while Eden's mind raced a mile a minute.

Eden, determined not to let Evelyn have the upper hand after the cuddling incident, leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So... how long are you going to keep pretending you weren't freaked out by waking up like that?"

Evelyn's eyebrow raised, but her expression remained infuriatingly calm. "I wasn't freaked out."

Eden grinned, leaning closer. "Oh, come on. You're telling me you didn't feel the least bit weird waking up with me all over you?"

Evelyn set her mug down, her eyes flicking to Eden's with a smirk. "I'm saying I wasn't the one clinging to anyone."

Eden let out an exaggerated groan, her face heating up all over again. "I was asleep! People do weird stuff when they're sleeping. It's not my fault!"

Evelyn's smirk deepened, her voice smooth. "So, this is just a habit? You tend to... cling to whoever's closest?"

Eden opened her mouth to argue, but her words caught in her throat. Was it a habit? She wasn't sure. But she definitely didn't want Evelyn to think she was some kind of unconscious koala, latching onto anything warm.

"Okay, fine," Eden admitted, her grin returning. "Maybe I'm a little clingy in my sleep. But I'm not apologizing for it. You seemed pretty cozy, too, if I remember correctly."

Evelyn tilted her head, clearly enjoying herself. "Did I?"

Eden's eyes narrowed playfully. "Don't pretend you weren't. I think you liked it."

Evelyn's gaze held Eden's for a long moment, the air between them thickening again with that familiar tension. "Maybe I did," Evelyn said quietly, her voice taking on a more serious edge.

The words hung in the air, heavier than the teasing had been moments before. Eden's breath caught, her heart beating a little faster as she realized Evelyn wasn't entirely playing this time.

But then, just as quickly as the moment had shifted, Evelyn leaned back in her chair, the smirk reappearing. "But I'll let you believe that was a victory for you."

Eden blinked, caught between the heat of Evelyn's admission and the sudden return to their teasing banter. She wasn't sure if she was winning this game anymore or if Evelyn was still toying with her, always a step ahead.

"You know what?" Eden said, deciding to push a little further. "You're impossible."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, sipping her coffee again. "You've said that before."

"And I'll keep saying it," Eden grumbled, shaking her head. "How do you always manage to stay so... calm? Don't you ever get flustered?"

Evelyn set her cup down, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm not sure you'd know what to do if I did."

Eden's grin widened. "Oh, I'd know exactly what to do."

Evelyn's gaze flicked toward her, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Would you now?"

Eden leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes locking with Evelyn's. "Absolutely. I'd enjoy every second of it."

The tension between them thickened, the teasing taking on a new edge. Evelyn didn't break eye contact, her lips curving into that maddening, almost-smile. "Careful, Eden. You might not be prepared for what you're asking for."

Eden's heart skipped, the words sending a jolt of heat through her. "Maybe I am."

Evelyn's smirk widened, but before she could respond, there was a sudden, sharp knock at the door. Eden jumped slightly, her mind still buzzing from the tension between them, and looked toward the door with confusion.

"Expecting someone?" she asked, her voice still a little breathless from the intensity of their conversation.

Evelyn stood up, her composure returning instantly. "No."

The knock came again, louder this time, and Eden watched as Evelyn walked toward the door with her usual calm grace. She opened it, revealing a man holding a clipboard, his expression businesslike.

"Professor Winters?" the man asked, glancing down at the clipboard.

"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice cool and professional, completely unbothered by the interruption.

"I'm here to deliver the items from the university," the man said, handing over the clipboard. "If you could just sign here."

Eden watched from the kitchen, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Here they were, the air between them still thick with unresolved tension, and now a university delivery guy had shown up to break the mood.

Evelyn signed the clipboard and accepted the package, closing the door as the man left. She walked back into the kitchen, setting the package down on the counter, her expression as unreadable as ever.

Eden couldn't help herself. "Ah, yes. Nothing like a surprise delivery to break the tension."

Evelyn shot her a sideways look, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I suppose it's a good thing you weren't in the middle of another... clingy moment."

Eden groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh my god. You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

Evelyn chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No. Probably not."

Eden peeked at her through her fingers, her lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "You're terrible."

Evelyn smiled, her voice smooth. "I'm aware."

As the teasing continued, Eden realized that despite all the playful jabs and banter, there was something more underneath it all. Something that neither of them had fully acknowledged yet, but was there, simmering between every joke, every glance, every word left unsaid.

"Alright," Eden said, standing up and stretching. "Since we've thoroughly embarrassed me for the morning, what's the plan? You got a lesson on how to handle teasing professors, or...?"

Evelyn smirked, crossing her arms. "I thought you didn't need lessons."

Eden laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe not. But I might need some advice on how to keep up with you."

Evelyn's smile softened just slightly, a rare glimmer of something genuine breaking through. "You're doing just fine."

Eden's heart skipped, the warmth of Evelyn's words settling in her chest. She wasn't entirely sure where they were headed—whether this was still just a game or if they were moving toward something more—but for the first time, Eden felt like they weren't just playing.

And as they stood there, the teasing banter still hanging in the air, Eden couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, she was okay with not knowing where this was going. For now, the game was enough.

But she had a feeling they were both starting to realize that the game was only half of it.