We both cracked up, tension thick as lust. Then he tapped my ass and nodded toward the door.
“Come on… let’s go see what them two fools up to. Hopefully, Isis didn’t break that man’s pelvis last night.”
Just as I reached for the door, Bryce caught my hand, locking our fingers together like he wasn’t quite ready to let go.
“You sure you good with staying a few more days?” he asked, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.
I turned to look at him. “More sure than I’ve been about anything in a long time," I replied, a smile creeping onto my face as the truth settled in my heart.
He nodded, a hint of relief washing over his features.
When we entered the living room, I noticed that Isis’s and Adrian’s bags were placed by the door—they were ready to go.
“We are live from the snowed-in cabin!” Isis exclaimed dramatically into her phone, twirling around with the playful fervor that we all loved about her. “The vibes have been immaculate, but it’s time to return to—”
Her voice suddenly cut off when she caught sight of us, and she quickly ended her live stream, looking bewildered.
“Um… why are y’all still in pajamas?! It’s time to go! Checkout is at ten!” she kidded.
I gave Bryce a knowing side-eye and shrugged. “We decided to stay a few more days… to enjoyeach other,” I said, my voice dripping with a hint of mischief.
Isis gasped and clutched her chest like somebody announced a pregnancy. “Aww! Stop it! I love that for y’all! Y’all deserve some alone time, some healing, and sometoe-curling, back-archingkind of peace.”
I couldn't help but laugh, fully aware of the “healing” Bryce had given me both the night before and that morning, which had deepened our connection in unexpected ways.
Adrian glanced back and forth between us, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s wild. I came up here with her, but somehow this nigga ended up back with her. Mane… life is crazy.”
“Tell me about it,” I said, laughing.
Isis blinked like she just remembered what year it was. “Wait—hold on. If y’all are staying, and me and Bryce rode together, andyoucame with Adrian…” Her eyes widened, comically. “How amIgetting home?”
Bryce shrugged as if it was the most obvious conclusion. “We all live in the same city, so I figured Adrian wouldn’t mind taking you back.”
“Nah, I don’t mind,” Adrian chimed in, throwing a playful wink in her direction.
Isis slowly dragged her eyes over him, head to toe, as though she were assessing a rental car for its safety features.
“Well… I don’t mind riding back with him,” she said cautiously. “But the real question is, am I safe? I mean, I know the roads arekindacleared, but I don’t do icy cliffs, mysterious curves, or those last-seen-on-the-news type vibes. So tell me, sir, do you drive like a grown man with insurance, or like ‘Fast & Furious: Snowstorm Edition?’”
I burst out laughing at her colorful imagery.
Adrian held up his hands in mock defense. “Man, I got this. The roads ain’t even that bad. And I’ll have you know, I drive better than the city plows.”
“Debatable,” Bryce muttered, loud enough for us all to hear.
Adrian dismissed him with a wave. “On some real shit, I drive like someone who values his freedom and driver’s license. You’ll be straight.”
Isis studied him for a second longer, then finally nodded, acceptance shining in her eyes. “Alright. But if I see even one sharp turn with no guardrail, I’m calling Bryce and Chesteria to come get me with a rescue helicopter and some hot cocoa!”
We all erupted in laughter, the tension in the room dissolving into camaraderie.
Bryce grinned. “I’ll keep my phone on... just in case.”
Isis smiled back, satisfied with the arrangement, and then clapped her hands once, like a principal eager to bring recess to a close. “Okay then. Let’s get a move on it! Oh! Before we load up and risk our lives on that treacherous mountain path, I say we do one last Random Positivity Hour… for the road. Sinceit’s Christmas, let’s each share what we’re thankful for and what we’ve learned from this trip.”
I nodded in agreement. “Absolutely.”
“Okay, I’ll start,” Isis volunteered, her tone shifting to earnestness. “This trip reminded me to let go. I didn’t come up here mad or stressed; I brought with me a plan, a little highlight, a bit too much lip gloss, and awholelotta delusion. I was set on claiming something that was never mine, but life humbled merealquick.”
