“This is real, right?” Maya asked quietly. “I’m not going to wake up and find out I dreamed all of this?”
“If you’re dreaming, we’re having the same dream. And I don’t want to wake up. It’s not virtual reality either.”
“How do you know?”
“Neither of us are wearing the VR visor, or have a controller in our hands.”
“Right.” She traced patterns on my chest, her touch light and hypnotic. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” I kissed the top of her head.
“The Yeti bonding thing you mentioned last night. The all-consuming commitment thing. What does it mean?”
I went still, trying to figure out how to explain without scaring her. “It means when we choose someone, it’s permanent. Not in a ‘we can never break up’ way because relationships can still end,people can still choose to leave. But the bond, the attachment,” I struggled for words. “It doesn’t really fade. Yetis mate for life, usually. When we commit, we commit completely.”
“And you think you’ve already done that? With me?”
“I know I have.” I made myself look at her, let her see the truth in my eyes. “I told you, I’ve been falling for you for over a year. Last night just made it official. Permanent. You’re it for me, Maya.”
I braced myself for panic, for her to pull away and say this was too much too fast. Instead, she smiled.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“I don’t do things halfway either. Never have. When I commit to something, a relationship, a friendship, a goal, I’m all in.” She propped herself up on an elbow to look at me properly. “So if you’re planning on being permanently attached to me, that works out perfectly. Because I’m planning the same thing with you.”
Relief flooded through me so intensely it was almost painful. “You’re sure? Maya, this is forever for me. I need you to understand that.”
“I understand. And I’m sure.” She kissed me. “I’ve been looking for this my whole life, Geoff. For someone who sees me, who makes me laugh, who makes me want to be better. I found that three years ago through a headset. The fact that you’re also eight feet tall and covered in fur and I can cuddle with you and I never have to be cold again? Plus you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen?” She shrugged. “Bonus.”
“I’m not beautiful.”
“You absolutely are. Accept the compliment.”
“You’re the beautiful one.”
“We can both be beautiful. It’s not a competition. Well, there are pageants for that, but I don’t want to participate in one.”
I pulled her close, overwhelmed with emotion. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Wrong. You deserve everything.” She settled against my chest, fitting perfectly in my arms. “And I’m going to make sure you know that. Every single day.”
“Every single day,” I repeated, letting myself believe in it. In her. In us.
Chapter 8
Geoff
Threedays.We’dhadthree perfect days cocooned in my cabin, where the outside world didn’t exist and nothing mattered except each other.
But the plows had finally made it up the mountain yesterday, and Maya’s landlord had called this morning. Her apartment was ready, and there were papers to sign, keys to collect. Real life demanded attention.
“I don’t want to go,” Maya said, burrowing deeper into my side. We were having coffee in bed. It was now a routine we’d established, and she was wearing my shirt as a dress again. If I were being honest with myself, I was thinking I’d never get it back. It wouldn’t feel like mine anymore, anyway.
“I know. But we can’t hide up here forever.”
“Why not? We have food. Heat. Entertainment.” She pointed to the gaming consoles, and then at the bed.
