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I can hear her say my name from somewhere in all the shining darkness.

And then there’s just perfect, peaceful nothing.

I have no concept of what time or day or year it is.

I can’t even tell if I’m dreaming or not.

I just know that I’m lying on top of Piper, my cheek pressed against hers. Her arms hang lazily over my back. She’s removed the sleep mask, but her eyes are closed. She’s asleep. Breathing steadily. Her long dark hair splayed out around her head.

And she is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.

I’ve read so many pretty words about love. Dark words too. I’ve feared and longed to understand what the great writers meant, what the great actors have been portraying. I’ve never wondered if I was in love before.

Until now.

As hard and fast as the snow is falling outside this cabin, I am falling in love, hard and fast, with Piper Puckett.

I don’t know when it started—I just hope it never ends.

TWENTY

Piper

YOU GOT NAILED

I don’t want to be dramatic, but now that this has happened, I really feel like anything is possible.

This is the part of my story where I, the heroine, have finally accomplished the most important task, aka, faced the Supreme Ordeal. How lucky am I that my biggest challenge was showing up for Holden Archer to make sweet love to me and have a bunch of orgasms while cabining in a snowstorm?! Now my transformation will allow me to gain new insights and abilities and everything else will fall into place.Launching my successful career as a screenwriter as soon as I graduate?Pffft. Easy peasy.All major life decisions that come after this?Easier than ordering pie at a diner.Finding a parking space at Trader Joe’s?I’ll just wait for as long as I have to and think about Holden kissing my boobs—no problem!

And hopefully I’ll be able to stare at and touch Holden’s butt a lot more before we leave here.

The sun has gone down, and I guess I fell asleep. Holden must have covered me with part of the comforter and put a pillow under my head. I can hear him in the bathroom now. But the thing that woke me up is the sound of my phone vibrating on top of the dresser. Over and over and over. Reminding me that it’s New Year’s Eve and I didn’t check in with my parents today and I have a dad back in New York who is probably worried I’ve been in an accident or worse—that I’m having sex with someone I shouldn’t be having sex with.

Well. It’s time to put his fears to rest. Or possibly create a whole new level of anxiety for him.

Just as I’m sitting up, Holden takes my phone off the top of the dresser and hands it to me. He’s back in his jeans, still shirtless, and looking at me with what I would have to describe as reverence and concern. “How are you feeling?”

“If the gigantic smile on my face isn’t enough of a clue, I will just tell you that I feel very nice and good. Thank you for asking.”

“Glad to hear it.” He leans in to kiss me on the side of my head. “You looked a little worried—that’s why I asked.”

Staring down at all the missed FaceTime and text notifications from my dad’s phone, I tell him, “I was just realizing I need to check in with my parents.”

“Ahhh. I should text my family too.”

So many texts from my dad—he must be losing his mind.

DAD:Hey, sugar. Thought we’d try FaceTiming before you go out for the night.

DAD:Give us a holler when you have a minute!

DAD:Hey, sweet pea. You’re likely getting ready for some exciting festivities, but if you have time for a quick chat we’d sure love to see your face!

DAD:Hope you’re having a great day, sweet pea! Don’t recall hearing about your plans for the night, but we hope they include a quick hello to your family before you get too busy!

MOM:Hey, girl! Hope you’re having a lit AF time! Just shoot your dad a text when you get a chance, will you? Poor guy’s losing his mind.

DAD:I am not losing my mind, sugar. I’d just like to wish you a happy new year. Hope you aren’t stuck in that traffic jam on I-5. Here’s a fascinating article I just read about a lovely young woman in Long Beach, which is not too far from where you live, who was brutally murdered by her boyfriend. The boyfriend, surprisingly, is someone she met at a New Year’s Eve party. Everyone describes him as “so nice and normal.” Anyway, have a wonderful night and check in when you can!