I silence him with a kiss, swallowing his laughter. When we break apart, he’s wearing that soft, dreamy smile that makes my heart flutter.
“Your beard tickles,” he whispers, rubbing his nose against mine.
“You weren’t complaining about it last night.”
A pretty blush spreads across his cheeks. Caspian lifts his head, gaze drawn to the window. In an instant, he’s fully awake, scrambling out of bed with the energy of someone who’s already had a few cups of coffee. “The storm’s over!” He practically bounces to the window, pressing his hands against the glass like an excited kid. “I need to get to Special Blend. Everyone in town is probably dying for a decent coffee after being stuck indoors for so long.”
His words hit me like a bucket of cold water. “Is that how you see it?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral. “Being stuck here?”
Caspian turns back to me, his expression softening. He crosses the room in three quick steps, crawling back onto the bed to cup my face. “Not even close,” he says firmly. “These past few days? They’ve been…perfect. Like nature gave us a little push, you know? An excuse to just be together.”
The knot in my chest loosens. “Yeah?”
“Definitely.” He kisses me, slow and sweet, before pulling back with a grin.
“Now, come help me clear the driveway,” he says, already pulling on his jeans.
I watch him move around my bedroom with familiar ease, gathering his scattered clothes. It’s surprising how quickly he’s made himself at home here, how natural it feels to have him in my space. Maybe too natural. The thought sends a flutter of anxiety through my chest.
After Caspian leaves—though not before kissing me thoroughly against his car and promising to see me later—I call Addy. She answers on the second ring, her voice knowing. “So, the hermit emerges.”
“Can you come over?”
“Give me twenty minutes. I’ll bring coffee since I’m guessing you’re out.”
When she arrives, her cheeks are pink from the cold and she’s carrying two steaming cups from Sparky’s Diner. She’s also not alone.
“You brought reinforcements,” I say, staring at my brother who looks as confused about his presence at my place as I am. She hands me one of the coffees as they both come inside.
“Sparky’s. Really, Addy? You know I’m a die-hard Red.” Like most Maplewood residents, I’m loyal to one of the two diners that bookend Main Street. The rivalry between Sparky’s and Red’s goes back generations, with both families serving up their own versions of classic comfort food and competing for the title of best diner in town.
“Oh please, one cup of Sparky’s coffee won’t kill you.” Addy rolls her eyes. “Besides, Red’s parking lot hasn’t been plowed yet. Anyway, stop stalling and spill,” she says, kicking off her boots and settling onto my couch.
Jasper follows, sitting next to her. “Anyone care to explain why I’m here?”
Addy smiles behind her cup. “We’re here to find out all about Nate’s snow day. Or should I say snow days?”
“Why? He’s lived here all his life and has been through more than a few snow storms. Try doing it with a seven-year-old who wants to go outside to build snow unicorns.”
I take a sip of the coffee, surprised that it’s actually really nice, and wrap my hands around the warm cup. “It was…good. Really good.”
“But?” Addy asks.
“But I’m…” I trail off, searching for the right words. “I think I’m falling for him, Ads. And it terrifies me.”
Her expression softens. “Oh, Nate.”
“Wait. What?” Jasper suddenly perks up from his seat.
“Caspian and I spent three days together,” I say for my brother’s benefit since Big Mouth Addy already knows. “He could have weathered the storm at his place, but he stayed here. We talked, ate together, had…fun…”
Jasper pretends to gag and Addy snorts. “You got to know each other in all the ways,” she says. “Got it.”
“So, you and the coffee guy, huh? I can see it.”
I nod. “We barely left each other’s side, yet I feel like I hardly know him. He talks a lot about his mom, but he doesn’t talk about himself much, about his life before Maplewood. And maybe that means he’s just looking for something casual, you know?”
“Or maybe,” Addy says gently, “he’s just as scared as you are. Have you tried asking him about these things?”
