He glanced toward the window. Mapleford was blanketed, erased, a white void where streets and sidewalks should be.
The workshop’s only a few blocks away. That’s walkable, if I’m careful. I managed it last night, didn’t I?
“Could I walk it in this weather?”
Aileen sipped her coffee. “That wasn’t me telling you to go, okay? I’m just saying, you haven’t stopped thinking about him since last night.” She stilled. “Am I right?”
He opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. Aileen had nailed it, as usual.
She smiled. “Then you’ll get there.”
Fifteen minutes later, he was layered in three sweaters, a scarf, a beanie, and gloves that were hopefully waterproof. He was also convinced what he was doing wasn’t stupid but noble.
Aileen pointed a wooden spoon at him. “If you break a bone, you’ll be stirring batter with one arm for the rest of the season.”
“Understood.”
“And if he kisses you, you’d better tell me everything.”
“Aileen—”
“Everything,” she repeated.
Eli fired an intense gaze at her. “Are you sure about that? Because we both know I can be very in-your-face about my experiences, don’t we?”
He escaped before she could come back at him.
As soon as he stepped out into the elements, the storm slapped him in the face. Snow clung to his lashes, and the cold cut through every layer he had. Mapleford was unrecognizable, its cars transformed into sculpted heaps. He trudged carefully through the drifts, his head ducked, his boots crunching. The few people he passed were bundled so thoroughly they resembled walking sleeping bags.
By the time he reached Carter Custom Builds, his scarf was half-frozen.
Warm golden light shone through the workshop windows. He knocked on the glass with stiff fingers.
The door opened faster than he expected.
Noah’s hair was mussed, his cheeks flushed from the heater, and his oversized hoodie and joggers, and mismatched socks blended to create a cozy picture.
For a second, he blinked in obvious surprise. “Eli?”
Eli shoved his cold hands into his pockets. “You’re snowed in.”
Noah laughed. “We’reallsnowed in. Get inside before you solidify.”
Eli stepped into warmth, heat seeping instantly into his bones. The workshop was lit and humming, the radio playinglow, the heater rattling softly, the half-finished market stall propped against a wall as if it was waiting for an audience.
“You walked here?” Noah closed the door behind Eli, locking out the storm.
“It’s only two blocks. I did it last night.
“Yeah, but that wasn’t in a whiteout.”
Eli shrugged. “I’ve done stupider things.”
Noah’s expression softened. “Why?”
Eli wasn’t prepared to answer that question.
He swallowed. “I thought you might want company.”
