“No way! Really?” I checked the time on my phone. “How did that happen?”
“We got in the zone. It happens. A good gaming session and great company helps.” He leaned down, offering me his hand. “Come on. I make a mean grilled cheese.”
I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet. For a second we were standing very close, his height making me crane my neck to look at him. This close, I could see the individual strands of his fur, and the way his eyes weren’t just blue-gray but had flecks of silver in them.
“You’re staring,” he said, echoing my words from last night.
“Sorry. Still processing the whole you’re actually eight feet tall thing.”
“Does my height bother you?”
“Not at all. I’ve always been considered tall for a woman, but there’s a question I’ve wanted to ask.”
“Go on.”
“How’s the view from up there?” I burst out laughing.
“Amazing. I can see for miles around.” He joined my laughter. “At least you didn’t ask about the weather.”
“Awww, that was going to be my next question.”
“Of course it was.”
He didn’t step back, and neither did I. My hand was still in his, and I could feel the calluses on his palm, the careful way he held me like I was something breakable.
“Maya,” he started, his voice low.
My phone buzzed, breaking the silence in the room, making us both jump. The moment shattered as I fumbled for the device, pulling up another text from Heidi: YOUR MOM SAYS YOU CRASHED YOUR CAR??? CALL ME RIGHT NOW.
“I should…” I gestured at the phone. “I haven’t actually called my family.”
“Yeah, of course.” Geoff released my hand and headed to the kitchen, giving me space.
I called Heidi, who immediately launched into a tirade about winter driving and why didn’t I call her and was I okay and did I need her to drive up and murder the weather.
“Heids, come up for a breath. I’m fine,” I assured her, my attention focused on watching Geoff move around the kitchen. “Completely fine. A local found me and gave me shelter. The car’s probably totaled, but I’m not hurt.”
“Define not hurt.”
“Bruised. Sore. Nothing broken.”
“And this local who found you, are you sure they’re trustworthy? You’re safe?”
I looked at Geoff, who was pulling out bread and cheese with careful precision. “Very safe. He’s actually… well, he’s a friend. YetiBeGood.”
“Wait, what?” Heidi’s voice shot up an octave, and I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “Your gaming buddy? The one you’ve been crushing on for a year?”
“I have not been,” I lowered my voice. “I haven’t been crushing on him.”
“Bull. You absolutely have. You get a specific tone when you talk about him. Maya, what’s he like? Is he hot? Please tell me he’s hot. He’s single, right? If he’s hot and nice and single, ask if he’s got a brother. Or a best friend.”
“Heidi,” I groaned.
“Because if you’re snowed in with your online crush, this is literally a romance novel plot. Do not waste this opportunity.”
“Don’t start. It’s not like that. We’re friends.”
“Friends who are now trapped in a cabin together. Alone. During a romantic snowstorm.” She made a sound that was probably her attempt at being mystical. “The universe is handing you a love story. Don’t be stupid. Take it.”
