Chapter 5
FIVE
ANNALISE
Afucking snowstorm. Of course.
Why should I expect anything different, as though my life doesn’t already feel like it’s in shambles as it is?
I just broke up with my boyfriend, and while it was amicable, us both just wanting different things in life, that was three years of my life.
I knew a while ago that things weren’t what they should be, especially with how long we’d been together, but adjusting to a life without him is still weird.
Then I find out my parents are selling the cabin, and it was as though the last seam holding me together snapped and I just wanted to get away and be by myself.
Enter fucking Sebastian Hayes to ruin that all, and of course, the universe is still out to get me because they sent a snowstorm, stranding us here.
Sebastian is the last person I want to be alone with in this cabin.
He crushed me as a teenager. I swore he was giving me all the signals, and when he never made a move, I did, only for it to crash and burn.
I was left spending the rest of our trip here after being rejected.
Not fun.
Now we’re here again, and I can’t escape him.
As much as I may not want to see or be around him, I’m not a total bitch who’s going to make him sleep in his truck.
I will make him either take the small-as-shit couch or sleep on the floor, though.
The bunk beds in Walker's and my old room were taken apart and donated the last time we were here. Walker and I complained so much about how the beds were too small that Dad finally had enough and gave them to a new family down the road and said we’d get new beds the next time we came.
The thing is, we never came as a family again.
I sit on the couch wrapped in a blanket, staring out the front window while Sebastian runs to his truck to gather whatever supplies he brought.
I don’t know what to expect him to have with him.
There’s no way he had a ton of time to plan this trip, because Walker would have only called him after we spoke last night.
I watch as the snow falls fast and in big chunks, clinging to every surface it can.
As I stare out the window, all I can see is the fence on the edge of the property line and trees.
We’re so isolated out here, and I love it.
There’s no neighbours for kilometers on either side.
I watch as snow builds on a branch until it finally bends, sending the snow to the ground before it starts to accumulate again.
I should grab my camera, but I’m loving just taking it all in for myself.
Just as another branch gives, piles of snow falling, Sebastian walks in the front door.
He stomps his boots outside before taking them off and setting them beside the door.
I watch him, waiting for him to show me what he brought.
He rounds the back of the couch into the living room, and he’s carrying two large totes.
I raise a brow, and he sets them down in front of me, opening the lid of the top one.
I spot the marshmallows and chocolate right on top.
“See, I told you I brought them.”
I bite my lip and nod, encouraging him to keep going. He pulls out two things of popcorn to be done on the fire, all my favourite snacks, boxes of KD, and not the knock off stuff, actual Kraft Dinner.
Next, he opens the bottom tote. There’s a cooler taking up one side, and on the other there’s games.
He’s brought both card games and board games as though he was hoping I’d let him stay, and something about that thought has those damn butterflies trying to take flight again, but I smother them.
I’m not letting myself get sucked into Sebastian Hayes again only to get completely crushed. I’m smarter than that.
He grins at me proudly, and I assess him.
His brown hair is trimmed short on the sides, with just a little length on the top.
It’s the same haircut he had in high school, but he seems to have grown into it more.
Little dimples are on either side of his smile, and that stupid thought about wanting to lick whipped cream from them I had as a teenager slips back, and I mentally slap myself.
Sebastian Hayes does not deserve you lusting after him, Annalise. Get your shit together.
I blink my ridiculous thoughts away and say, “Okay, not as pissed, but I want s’mores for lunch.”
I swear I feel relief radiate off him as he stands and claps his hands together.
“I guess that means a fire.”
He grabs wood off the porch before returning and building a fire.
I watch his every move, my eyes not seeming to be able to look away from each flex of his hand or forearm.
Sebastian has only gotten better with age, and it’s a fucking shame, because I’m sure he’s hot as hell without his clothes on, but it’s something I’ll never know.
That thought makes me want to pout, but I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to stop myself from doing something stupid.
When he gets the fire lit, he takes in his handy work before joining me on the couch. “Let’s let it warm up, and then I’m going to make you the best damn s’more you’ve ever had.”
I turn to look at him. “Are you trying to say you make better s’mores than me? I highly doubt that.”
He smirks. “I’m gonna say it again, best s’more you’ve ever had.”
I quirk a brow. “Challenge accepted. Now what do I get when I prove you wrong?”