The lights in the Reyes house hold came to life, shining the way for the two teens. The air inside was a certain type of warmth not found outside during these winter months. The rack accepted their coats and the mat promised to guard their shoes. Laughter bounced off of the walls and moved further inside.
"Your family isn't here." Cassie waggled her eyebrows at him, fingers tugging at her gloves.
"All part of my plan," Jaime played along and wrapped an arm around her waist. Their hips touched as he brought her to his side. "Are you ready?"
She relaxed against him and a spell was cast over her. She was hyper aware of where their body made contact; the areas burning like a stove top. The seconds ticked by while Cassie appreciated how close they were. Putting her head on his shoulder so she could look at him, she waited for him to continue talking. He silently smiled at her, eyebrows barely pushed up. She mimicked his look and realized he was waiting for her to respond.
"I'm ready to try the hot chocolate you promised me."
He shook his head and let go of her waist. "Not just any hot chocolate. The best hot chocolate ever."
She had to laugh at his proud demeanor.
He rolled his eyes, walking to the kitchen to start his culinary genius. She followed him until the counter where she sat down on one of the stools. She had no idea what the perfect hot chocolate needed and decided to watch. She snorted lightly at the pink apron covered in cartoon cupcakes that he put on without a second thought.
"Tye and I came up with this recipe," He gloated while rummaging for a sauce pan, "It was a couple years ago when we were watching Milagro. She wanted hot chocolate and you know how picky she is. She wouldn't settle for the packet ones so it had to be made from scratch. We spent the whole afternoon trying different combinations until we figured it out."
He lined up all the ingredients by the stove: milk, unsweetened cocoa, white sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, espresso powder, and mini marshmallows. Next he searched for the measuring tools that was scattered around his kitchen. After he had everything he needed he started pouring milk into the heated pan.
"This better be worth it," Cassie joked while playing with the cow themed shakers.
He grinned coyly at her over his shoulder. "It is."
After ten minutes of mindless chatter and teasing, the hot chocolate was ready to be served. Jaime poured the creamy liquid into two mugs and left the kitchen to sit on one of the stools next to her. He presented to her what he dubbed the drink of the Santa Clauses.
"You're really building this up for me." She lifted the mug to her lips, the smell making her mouth water. "What if it's not as good as I imagined it to be?"
"Just try it."
"Fine."
Jaime watched her intently as she took her first sip, his smile widening at her reaction. "What did I say?"
She chugged down the rest, warmth bubbling in her stomach and spreading to the rest of her body. Her taste buds went into overdrive trying to taste everything at once. It was melody – no a symphony in her mouth. It was an impossible flavor. It was everything Jaime promised and more.
And he looked so content with himself. He knew what he did; he ruined hot chocolate for her. No other hot chocolate will be at the same level as this one. She wasn't even exaggerating. This wasn't any ordinary hot chocolate; it was something magical. It was the hot chocolate. There had to be some cult devoted to this somewhere.
"More," she demanded, "I need more."
"That's the usual response." He did what he was told and set the refilled mug in front of her. "Try not to burn your tongue off."
She tried to drink this one slower than she did the last one and let out a sigh of satisfaction. "I love you." Realizing she said that out loud she quickly added, "I'm talking to the hot chocolate, not you."
He shrugged, refilling his own mug. "That's another usual response."