Page 47 of His One True Wish

“Probably,” Axl said.

“Well,” I said, stretching my arms over my head. “It feels like the world is far away. Like we are in a bubble.”

“Until that temperature rises, we are in a bubble.” Axl got up and walked to the window, peering outside. “Temperature is still below zero. We aren’t going anywhere until it goes up a few degrees. Time to do the dishes.”

I followed him to the sink, clearing my plate. Outside, the snow continued to fall from clouds in the darkening sky. Axl washed dishes by hand. He washed and dried. There wasn’t much to do, but I caught him glancing down the hall at the bedroom as he stifled a yawn.

“You are tired,” I said.

“Yes, I’m tired,” he said. “It’s hard work being trapped inside with you all the damn day.”

“Do you even know what time it is?” I asked. “I have no idea, but I think it’s late. It feels late.”

He took out his phone. “Still no signal, but I can tell you it’s eleven-thirty p.m. That is, until my battery dies, which will happen soon if I can’t charge this thing.”

“It’s almost tomorrow,” I said. “Oh, my God. It’s been over a day.” I put my face in my hands. “My mom is probably so worried about me. My friends are worried about me. It’s just so weird not to be able to call them or text them.”

“I’ll bet,” he said, putting the clean dishes and glasses back in the cupboard.

“What about you?” I asked.

“What about me?”

“Is anybody worried about you?”

He raised his shoulders in a slow shrug and wiped down the counters. “Nobody’s worried about me,” he said, “except Cam there.”

Cam lifted her head as she lay in front of the fire. I walked over and sat next to her, petting her as she slept. The burning log snapped and crackled. There was a huge stack of logs prepped and ready up the wall. At least we had heat for days and the fireplace was doing a fine job of taking the chill out of the room.

Axl stretched in the kitchen, his shirt raising in the air, and I could see the thin line of hair on his belly.

“Is it that time?” he said, walking into the great room.

“Time for what?”

“For sleep.”

“I suppose it is,” I said, my voice soft.

He reached out his hand. I held it as he pulled me to my feet, but instead of dropping my hand, he held it for a beat before letting go. My skin tingled as he released it.

“I’ll take the couch,” he said.

“I feel bad,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. “You saved me today. I won the poker game.”

“You do not feel bad about that,” he said.

“Okay, you’re right. I don’t.” I looked around the room, feeling restless. Things felt unfinished between us, but what else was there to say. “Thank you for today,” I said quietly.

“You’re welcome,” he said, pushing his hands into his pockets. “It was nice having you here, talking with you. I enjoyed it.”

We both moved at the same time, trying to pass the coffee table. Cam darted around and barked, startling me. I stepped out of her way, not wanting to crush her, and I rammed into Axl in front of the fire. I was nearly knocked off my feet.

I laughed as he helped me stand. “I am normally not this clumsy.”

“You’re fine,” he said, his voice low.

The air crackled between us. We stood very close together. Axl looked down at me and brushed a hair off my cheek. My mouth dry, a wave of heat and wetness flushed between my legs. I exhaled and smiled, wishing we could stand here for longer. I knew I wasn’t sure what I wanted, but I didn’t want the moment to end.

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