A Bittersweet Thaw

Days passed in a blur of blushing faces, tactile expressions of affection, and twinned glittering, dilated eyes. The world outside their fogged window was a fresh white page with every new dusting of snow.

Until one morning, just as a nascent sun broke through the enshrouding clouds and cast a lemonade light across the shimmering snow blanketing the land, the first drips of a slow melt pattered onto the frosted windowsills.

There is a crunch to the snow when it thaws. The top layer was like icing, gradually giving way to the compacted snow beneath it, and underneath that lay a sheet of black ice they had to be careful of when walking Storm outside.

Crisp air, a brisk wind, and the overcast sky cleared to an ocean of palest periwinkle, the granite road visible through the crust of white when she peaked out the blinds one morning, and the sun had taken its throne once more.

That fragile, tepid yellow glow should have signalled hope and joy, for Emilia could go home soon. Yet after she received a call from her landlord to tell her someone would arrive to fix her heating, she wished for more snow.

More time.

More—everything with Luke. The sad half smile he wore as they shared one last breakfast together, listening to the sounds of repairing next door, caused her to heart twist.

They made the most of their time snowed-in together. The memories they created would live on. Memories that flustered and brought a burst of lovely contentment.

She sneakily ordered a massive food delivery for Luke and Storm, due to arrive after he returned from Scotland.

It was the least she could do, but nothing seemed like enough. After everything he’d given her, before she even had a clue how he felt about her.

She’d miss his black and white apartment and the safety it had brought her.

It was bittersweet packing her things after the repair man gave the go-ahead and left. She hung up the phone, eyes pricking, heat burning behind her cheekbones as Luke gave her a hug so tight her bones trembled.

Even Storm looked as though she had deflated at the news.

It had only been a week, but it seemed like months had gone by as she learned all the ways Luke could growl her name, and she could call his. A matching pained expression fixed on their faces, both hunting for something to say that could encapsulate all they felt.

A knot in her belly that vanished whenever he wrapped his arms around her—regret.

The same regret she felt for returning home shone in his beautiful eyes as he walked her to her door and helped her inside, both searching for an excuse to prolong the inevitable.

She was to visit Mel in a few days, and he would go home to his family the day before she left. They’d both rescheduled their trips without too much trouble. A small comfort, given their reluctance to part.

Having gotten used to him being around her, she would sorely miss hearing his quiet voice rumbling in her ear every morning. He left her bag by the door and gathered her up, kissing her gently and sighing through his nose.

Her arms wound around him, and her hands clutched his shirt in two tight fists.

She never thought of herself as clingy, but she had to smother a pout as he broke the soft kiss and leaned back to study her face.

“I better go. Storm has been staring at her leash for hours. She knows she can go on a walk now,” Luke chuffed, rolling his eyes to make her smile and nod.

“She’s a demanding beast.”

“She is. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

She nodded, heart racing and bouncing on her toes—already impatient for their first proper date.

“Tomorrow, Luke.”

He grinned, an unrestrained smile she hoped would become more common than his brooding. She thanked her lucky stars as she saw him out after one last lingering kiss.

Her fingers tracing her bottom lip as though trying to prolong the tingling he always left behind, and her throat tightened as she closed the door behind him and she leaned back against it.

Her hand fell to her chest, a soaring sensation behind her ribs making her breath shallow, and a fizzing in her veins as her blood rushed, turning her head light. The glorious heat in her apartment was nothing compared to the fire Luke bestowed on her.

She laughed under her breath, skipping down the hallway, and ran to her room to call Mel and fill her in on all that happened while they'd been snowed in.

She felt like a teenager with her first crush and wouldn’t have it any other way. As Melanie’s honeyed voice answered, she launched straight into it.

“It wasn’t in the past, Mel!” And then she went on a monologue that she considered one of her best.

Her cozy apartment was the vibrant backdrop to their gossiping, but her mind was already preparing what she would wear tomorrow.

Something purely for him to take off, she thought and grinned as Mel squealed and demanded details Emilia promised to give more of in person but would keep most safe for herself.

“I’ll see you soon. Love you, but Mel, you have a massive debt to repay!” Emilia said, voice lowering to a faux threat as Mel groaned and wished her a safe journey.

Emilia set to cleaning her apartment, a fine layer of dust coated most surfaces and her mind was on one track the entire time. Her ears strained as she heard Luke and Storm leaving for a long walk in the woods behind their building.

A gentle smile inked onto her face as she worked. It didn’t take long and soon she’d even packed a small suitcase, so she wouldn’t be rushing at the last minute when she left for the airport.

Her brain recalling her favorite moments with her new paramour the entire time.

What a fabulous Christmas it had been!

When she knocked on Luke’s door that night and accepted his offer to stay with him, she hadn’t imagined coming out of it with anything more than bruised pride and an awkward silence whenever they saw each other in the halls.

None of that happened. Thank goodness! He’d even told her she could keep the drawing she’d stolen from him—if she wanted it.

His cheeks reddened, and his eyes glued to a point over her shoulder as he spoke; he was too sweet for this cold, cruel world.

But she’d nodded like one of those fuzzy bulldogs people put on their car dashboard!

She very much wanted it. The future opened like a rare flower as she settled into her own bed and immediately frowned as her sheets only smelled like her.

She’d have to get him in here to fix that! She fell asleep before long, her chaotic mind thoroughly at ease and quiet for a change.

No matter what happened next, she was in it for the long haul. It could only get better, and that knowing was a hearty embrace that warmed and filled her with hope.

She had only asked for a bracelet for Christmas.

She never expected Luke, but knew she wanted to keep him.

Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.