Devoted to the Blizzard: A romantic winter thriller (Tellure Hollow Book 3) by Adele Huxley

something just like that.
    I quickly stepped in. “She’s the star now.”
    “Oh stop. You broke more than a few records,” Paige said as she reached across the bar to touch my arm.
    “Uh huh. So, could we order some food?” I replied quickly, placing a hand on Liz’s knee. Even buzzed, I could feel the tension between the two girls, though neither outwardly showed it. Women were funny like that, sometimes.
    “Ooooh, I’m so sorry, but the kitchen just closed. Do you want me to see if I can scrounge up something for you?”
    “Freakin’ great,” Liz muttered. “No, that’s okay. I’d rather not have to eat something scrounged.” She ran a hand over the top of her hair, smoothing it out. It was an unconscious habit she did when something was annoying her. “Let’s just go home, find something there.”
    “There’s actually a really great burger place in town, if you’re heading past it. I can call in an order for you, if you want. I know the manager there. It’ll be ready by the time you get down there.”
    My stomach grumbled at the idea of a big juicy burger. “Absolutely yes. Please and thank you.”
    I grinned widely at Liz, expecting her to be happy with the solution. Instead, she arched an eyebrow and sighed. “I suppose I’m driving then?”
    ____________
     
    I’d finished half the fries before we made it back to the house, unable to resist the siren song of grease and salt. As we sat around the center island in the kitchen, the delicious smell of burgers filling the room, Liz’s good nature returned.
    “All good?” I asked around a big bite.
    She nodded and wiped her mouth with a paper towel. “Sorry if I was a bitch earlier. I was just hungry and angry. Hangry,” she giggled. “Must’ve burned ten thousand calories today and seeing that girl all over you…”
    I snorted. “She wasn’t all over me.”
    “Oh, come on,” Liz rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’m jealous or anything. But that whole thing where she pretended she didn’t know who you were? Please. How many times has someone recognized me and not you?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t keep count of things like that.” My head was starting to clear, the fog of alcohol burning off with all the grease.
    “None. Never. That’s how many times.” Liz took another bite of the burger. The thing was so big she needed two hands to lift it. “Stupid freakin’ article,” she muttered.
    I braced myself for the usual tirade. They’d focused on her relationship with me, the murders in Tellure Hollow, the fact that her father was an active Marine, the tragic death of her mother. For a sports magazine, they wrote very little on her genuine talent, her chances of bringing home medals, the countless hours of training and dedication to the sport. She was absolutely right to complain about the whole thing, but it was an argument I’d heard so many times, I could play out both sides. But not that night. That night, she was too tired to go into it all, which is saying something for Liz.
    After a couple more bites, Liz dropped the burger and declared defeat. “I’m stuffed. It’s all yours.” She leaned back and lifted her shirt to reveal her stomach. With all the training, she’d lost a thin layer of body fat, revealing the shadow of abs hard earned in the gym. She patted her round belly and groaned. “I’m preggers with a food baby,” she laughed.
    “Lovely image,” I chuckled. I reached across the counter for the rest of her burger.
    “I’m gonna go check the mail, check email, shower, and collapse into bed. Do you want to join me in any of that?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Hmmm, the last two please,” I laughed.
    She slid down from the chair with a groan, her bare feet slapping on the cold tile, and kissed my cheek as she walked by. “I’ll give you a shout when I’m ready. All hot and wet and ready,” she purred. “But I’m tired. You’re doing all the work.”
    Even though she was