This is stupid. Wrong.
I have no business feeling anything about who hurt her and why.
But I do.
I swallow it down, that ugly little flicker of relief, and the guilt that comes right after.
My chest still goes tight.
Because whatever the reason, she was left alone on Christmas Eve.
“Idiots,” I say.
Rough. Honest.
Because they damn well are.
She laughs. Surprised. Real. It softens her entire face.
“You do not even know them,” she says.
“Do not need to.”
She looks down at the cookie tin. “I just wanted… I do not know. A normal holiday. I made cookies. I wrapped their gifts. It feels stupid now.”
“It is not stupid,” I say quietly.
Her eyes lift. I look away before she can read too much in my face.
“Storm will last all night,” I say. “Maybe longer.”
“So I am stuck here?”
“For now.”
She nods. “I do not want to be a bother.”
“You are not.”
Her eyes widen a little, surprised.
I clear my throat. “Just… stay out of trouble.”
She smiles again. Small. Sweet.Dangerous.
I hate how my chest reacts.
“You can take the bed,” I say. "I will sleep on the floor."
Her mouth falls open. “I cannot do that. I barely know you.”
“Exactly. You barely know me, and you think I am letting you sleep on the floor.”
“I can take one of the recliners,” she offers.
I shake my head. “No.”
“But it is your cabin.”
