Page 24 of Snowed in with the Grump

Carter shudders as he follows me over the edge, his body trembling as he finds his release. Together, we slip into the liminal space where only the two of us exist. Only us, our souls connected, our bodies united as one beating heart.

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, this man was made for me. The years of waiting, the nights I feared he’d never reciprocate my love, the agony of my heart falling apart—was worth it.

What am I supposed to do about the incriminating letters that teenage me wrote while fantasizing about an imaginary wedding?

“Hey, Carter. Funny story—I was your stalker and saved a creepy bundle of letters tied with a ribbon to prove it.”

I'm rocking a hazmat suit full of secrets. While I should be blissfully relaxed, I want to google how to fake my death and move to Mexico.

Why did past me make present me's life so difficult?

CHAPTER8

CARTER

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sit up and find Ava studying my face, a soft smile lighting up her eyes.

“Hi,” she whispers.

“Hi, yourself,” I reply, rolling over. “Have you been awake long?”

“Not long.” Her smile deepens.

I tuck a stray curl behind her ear, struck by her beauty. It’s as if we exist in a private world cocooned by snow, and I want to treasure every second.

“Are you hungry?” she asks. “The others could arrive soon if the roads clear.”

My stomach rumbles, but I cling to her underneath the covers. “I'd rather stay right here with you.”

She laughs, her eyes glinting. “Come on, lazybones. We can't spend the day in bed.”

With a dramatic groan, I pull her closer. “How could you leave this warm nest?”

Her lips graze my cheek. “The day is waiting, Carter. Up and at 'em, big guy.”

The thought of venturing into the storm is unappealing, but the generator needs attention, and we need breakfast.

Reluctantly, I peel back the blankets and climb out of our rumpled bed, immediately missing her warmth.

At the frosted window, I watch the snow swirl, blanketing the world in white, like a magical winter wonderland.

“We’re living inside a snow globe,” Ava says from behind me as she slides on one of my old sweaters.

It's too large for her frame, but she makes it look perfect. Our eyes meet, and a spark of desire shoots through me.

“It doesn't look like anyone will get through yet,” I say as I cup her face.

Ava frowns. “Am I being selfish for wishing they'd stay away longer? What kind of person does that make me?”

“You're not selfish or bad,” I whisper. “Truth is, I feel the same. I just got you, and I'm not ready to share you.”

Reassured, she smiles and leans in to kiss me tenderly.

Eventually, we go downstairs. I flick a light switch, but nothing happens. The power is still out.

“Guess we'll have to make do without electricity,” Ava says, smiling at me in the candlelight.

“There’s a gas cooker in the shed. I’ll grab it and see if I can figure out what went wrong with the backup power.”

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