N

nded, trembling slightly. "Absolutely not.

wirled his wine lazily, looking like someone who hadn't a care in the

, making my way to the front desk. The receptionist's wary expression

s Pa

are a suite with that man! Do you have any idea how much I paid to come here? This was sup

, but her tone remained calm. "I completel

relax, not to-" I waved my hand toward the direction of the s

logize for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, due to the storm, all our private suites are

bitterly. "It's chaos. I refuse to

by accommodations are also fully booked, and with the storm shuttin

gh me. I shoved my phone out of my p

ickly in the air, blanketing the ground in white. I tapped furiously

ed across the sc

tcome. I refreshed the page again, and again, but the answer was the same

r my breath, kicking at a lump of snow.

as snowflakes danced in chaotic spirals around me. The resort behind me, th

e. Avoiding the receptionist's gaze, I walked pas

I muttered un

replied, full of relief. "We a

pond. Understanding wa

as I'd left him-lounging in that same chair, sipping his wine. He gla

soon?"

e and dropping my suitcase onto the nearest chair. "I'm se

," he said, leaning back

s is over there. Don't cross it." I d

grin widening. "Anyt

k. We don't look at each other. And

making my blood boil. He stood, stretchi

ing at his phone as it buzzed. "You'v

d, he walked to the

The question slipped ou

aking a call. Not that it's any of you

im, leaving me alone in the ro

tossing my head back and

"Stuck spending Christmas wit

y pocket. I groaned, fishing it ou

exhaustion evid

of cold water. "How's the trip? Are you sipping f

rage and plotting my e

o. Sp

om the disastrous flight to the shared lounge debacle, sparing n

atch my breath, Sam asked,

am

stuck in a snowstorm with a guy, i

was all the confi

You've been moping over Jake for days. Maybe this

mly. "I need solitude. Peace. Not som

ntered. "Worst-case scenario, you get a fu

n go there

ds carrying a teasing edge. "Fine.

me, it would've canceled

restrained, and despite my irr

d eventually. "But Nora? Try to enj

eah," I

t on the couch, staring up at the flickering shadows cast by the fire

he rhythmic crackle of the fire lull me to sleep, t