She caught a flash of Tom’s eyes in the dark. His face. He was glaring at her legs.
He reached out and grabbed Cherry’s ankle. She stood stock-still. He was feeling her toes. He pulled his hand away. “Go upstairs and take a warm bath. While there’s still hot water.”
Cherry wanted to argue. “Is that safe? For frostbite?”
“I don’t think you have frostbite. But google it. I’ll find the camping battery.”
“Be careful on the stairs,” she said.
“You, too.”
Cherry googled frostbite. You were supposed to take a warm bath.
Her feet burned when she lowered herself into the bathtub. In all the places Tom had touched. She left her phone lit and sitting on the toilet.
She stayed in the bath until she felt warmer than the water. Then she got dressed carefully in the dark. In her elephant pajama pants. Thick socks. A bra and sweater. She grabbed a pair of clean socks for Tom before she headed downstairs.
She found him in the kitchen. He’d lit a jar candle that smelled like sugar cookies. “The camping battery’s dead,” he said.
“Sorry.”
“I’ll charge it tomorrow.”
Stevie was sniffing at Cherry’s legs. She was always very intrigued by the smell of soap. Cherry petted her head and scratched her back.
“Was there hot water?” Tom asked.
“Yeah,” Cherry said. “Thanks. There might be some left.”
“I’m fine.”
“I brought you dry socks,” she said, and set them on the island counter.
“I’ll just move out one pair at a time.”
Cherry didn’t laugh.
“Well,” Tom said. “I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Tom.You can’t drive home in this.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll go slow.”
“But there’s noreasonfor it. Don’t risk your life and limb just to spite me.”
“I’m not—” He stopped himself. He exhaled. “When have I ever done anything just to spite you?”
“I don’t know,” Cherry said, looking down at the dog. “Don’t start now.”
Tom didn’t say anything.
Neither did Cherry for a while.
“I was going to have leftover pizza for dinner,” she said. “It’ll be just as good cold.”
Tom nodded.
Cherry brought the pizza out to the living room.
