“Because it’s below freezing and you aren’t wearing either.”
“Well, I didn’t expect to be going on a rescue mission.” I defended myself.
“I know. That’s why I’m giving them to you.”
Oh.My eyes fell back to the dark fabric.
“You’ll have to make do with something more sensible than mittens.”
My eyes rolled. “I told you my mother gave them to me.”
He chuckled beneath his breath, the sound sending low vibrations through the enclosed space. “Uh-huh.”
“Whatever,” I said, yanking them from his grip to tug them on. Halfway in, I realized… “Wait. You aren’t wearing any.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“But these are yours.” I started peeling them off to return them.
“Stop,” he growled, his forceful tone making me do just that. “Put them on, and let’s go.”
“But—”
“But nothing. I don’t have time to argue with you right now. Put them on, and let’s go find Marlowe.”
I hesitated, and he heaved a sigh, plucking up the hat that fell between us to stuff it on my head.
He pulled it too far down, and the dark fabric concealed my vision.
“I have to actually be able to see,” I mocked, tugging it out of my eyes.
“Make sure your ears are covered.” He was gruff, pulling it right back down.
“You act like I’ve never been in cold weather,” I complained.
“This isn’t Boston.”
“Boston gets cold too,” I shot back.
He made a noise and slid out the driver’s side, snow swirling inside the second the door opened. “Let’s go,” he demanded before slamming it shut.
I reminded myself we were here for Marlowe and got out of the truck, hat and gloves securely in place.
“Marlowe!” Archer hollered into the wind. “Here, boy! Come here!”
I watched him over the hood as he cupped his bare hands around his mouth and whistled.
Snow flurries were already catching on his hair and shoulders. His bare skin seemed to glow against the onyx sky. A pang ofsomethingdropped into my stomach because he’d chosen to be cold just so I would be warm.
He’s still in there.My best friend.
“Go that way, but don’t go too far. I don’t want to have to find you too.” He gestured behind me, bossiness making my teeth snap together.
Saying nothing, I stomped off, noting how the ground was almost completely white. “Marlowe!” I called, hoping the howling wind would carry my voice.
I trudged through the light snow, chin tucked down to protect myself from the wind and using the flashlight on my phone to light a path.
In the distance, I heard Archer whistling and calling.
