Page 5 of Holiday Do Us Part

“Who doesn't have a cell—you know what, whatever, a landline then.”

“Phones are down. If you haven’t noticed, there’s a blizzard out there.”

“Yeah, thanks for the update. I noticed. I also noticed that you still seem to be an asshole. Thanks for the hospitality,not. Goodbye.” I turn and walk toward the door.

“And where exactly do you think you’re going?”

“The hell away from you.”

“Before you run away, want to explain how you got here?”

I whip around. Because I was half frozen and in shock before, I failed to notice that he’s shirtless, wearing only a pair of worn jeans. My eyes follow the trail of ink down his sculpted abs to the happy trail I used to love. “I—I. . .” God, I hate how beautiful he still is. But thankfully, that reminds me that I hate him. “No, I don’t.” I rush toward the door.

“And where exactly are you walking off to? You showed up looking like a snowball, frozen to the bone. It’s only getting worse out there.”

“I’ll be just fine.” I open the door, and a blast of cold slaps me in the face. I quickly shut the door.

“Cal.”

“Just don’t. I need a minute.” Or a lifetime to try and understand why they would do this to me. My teeth chatter, and my hands shake.

“You need to take your clothes off.”

I whip around. “Oh, don’t you dare think. . . You come near me, and I’ll stab your eyes out.”

Easton throws his hands up. “Wasn’t planning on it, babe.”

“And don’t you dare call mebabe. I’m here for reasons I cannot say out loud because I might explode in a rage of fury. But I’ll be out of your hair soon, and we will never see each other again.”

He takes a step closer. “I was just going to offer to take your jacket. You’re defrosting and leaving a puddle in my living room.”

I look down, and I am, in fact, standing in a pool of water. “Oh, sorry.”

“I’m just gonna go get some towels. Please don’t bolt on me. I’m not in the mood to search for your frozen body in the woods tonight.” I open my mouth to yell something snarky, but he disappears down the hallway. I debate defying him, but the warmth of the fire holds me captive. When he returns, I’ve slid off my jacket and boots and placed them by the front door.

“Here.” He hands me a shirt and a pair of oversized sweatpants. “You can wear them until your clothes dry.” I want to take them and shove them down his throat, but I’m desperate to feel my toes again. I snatch them out of his hands and walk down the hall. I open three doors until he says, “You passed it. Second door on the left.” I storm back and disappear into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

“What the hell?” This can’t be happening. I slap myself. “Ow!”

“Everything okay?”

“Yes. You open that door, and I will throat punch you.” I rest my palms on the sink and bow my head. I try to take a few breaths to calm my erratic heartbeat, but it doesn’t do anything. When I raise my eyes to the mirror, I groan in horror. My cheeks and nose are bright red, my lips are a pretty shade of blue, and my mascara is smeared down my face. “Oh my god, someone, just kill me right now. This is nothappening to me right now!”

There’s a knock on the door. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Actually, no! I’m not! I’m standing in a cabin that is supposed to be MY vacation cabin. Instead, my asshole ex, who I wished to never see again, opens the door and now I don’t know how to rewind time and never agree to this stupid vacation in the first place because this is stupid and how do I make this floorswallow me up?” If things couldn’t get any worse, I start to cry. And not a cute cry. A good ole ugly cry.

“Open the door, Cal.”

“No,” I say through my broken sobs.

“Open the fucking door.” I grab the handle and fling it open, ready to punch him between the eyes when he sticks his hand out and stops me. My eyes fall to the object in his hand.

“Wh—why are you handing me that?”

“Because I know how you get when you’re upset and what you want when you are.” I stare at the full glass of red wine. My savior. My antidote. “You gonna take it, or should I—”

“Give me that.” I snatch it from his hands and allow the smooth, oaky flavor to do its magic, warming my belly and soothing my overactive heart.

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