Chapter 6
HOLLY
In the morning, I have to face the reality of the situation. I stand at the window of the bigger bedroom—thank you, Caleb, for being a gentleman—taking in the heaps of snowfall the blizzard dumped on us overnight. And it’s still going without any sign of letting up.
We’re snowed in.
There’s no denying it when I can’t even see the stone fire pit on the sloping hill behind the cabin anymore.
And we’re going to be stuck here for longer than my planned weekend. Together.
I don’t think Caleb is awake yet. It’s pretty early. I’ve been up for an hour watching the sky get lighter after pulling Mrs. Adler’s favorite sitting chair over to the window, snuggling under the blanket draped over it. I’ve always been a morning person and I’m used to my schedule for the bakery.
This time of day is usually my serene bubble.
I wind the blanket tassels around my fingers as I stare at the weather I’m powerless to change. I hate sitting still when I want to take action somehow. The lack of control is tying my stomach in knots.
I wanted a break. What do I get? Trapped with my best friend’s brother. Actually, worse, since he’s my ex.
Worries keep plaguing me about what this means for the bakery. I’m not sure when it can open unless I trust my brother and Leta to continue running things without me. A new cinch pulls tight in my stomach.
Biting my lip, I check my phone again. At least the power hasn’t gone out. Caleb mentioned last night before we went to bed that the cabin has a back up generator with plenty of solar charge to keep the cabin running for days if we lose power.
Still no cell signal.
Sighing, I draft a message to Leo and Leta explaining that my weekend might be extended because I’m stranded in the mountains. Plus a rundown of everything I do to open and close the bakery for the day. Both are ready to send it the moment I connect to enough bars.
Thank god I brought some supplies with me. I was caught up on orders before impulsively taking the trip, but if we’re here more than a few days I’ll need to make sure I don’t fall behind.
It’s close to 8 a.m. and I still haven’t heard a peep of movement from Caleb’s room next door.
If I strain my ears, I can make out the soft reverberation of his snores.
Pulling a face, I climb out of my blanket cocoon.
I need coffee before I drive myself up the wall, and if he’s not waking up I’m not making any for him.
I slip my feet into the fuzzy cream pair of slippers I packed, sparing a fleeting smile for the embroidered red bows. Braving the invisible boundary line of the bedroom door, I quietly step into the hall.
Pausing at Caleb’s door, I sigh. I’m not a total bitch. I’m not going to deprive him of coffee after he showed me how to light the fire properly.
“Caleb?” I knock, softly at first, then a bit harder when there’s no answer. Rolling my eyes, I try again and mutter, “Are you going to sleep the day away, heartbreaker?”
A thump sounds inside, followed by a groan of pain. My eyes widen when it seems as if he staggers to the door before wrenching it open.
Oh, wonderful. My best friend’s brother is shirtless.
Bleary-eyed and sleep mussed, he’s still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
My heart skips a beat as my gaze trails from his tousled brown hair to his amazing jawline covered in stubble. I can’t stop, following his bobbing Adam’s apple to the expanse of his broad shoulders. I lose myself in admiring his bare chest and forget how to breathe for a second.
Damn it. Caleb is still frustratingly attractive and it’s impossible to ignore. He’s tormenting me with those gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips, impressive dickprint fully on display.
I do not want to climb him like a tree. I do not want to climb him like a tree. I absolutely do not want to climb Caleb fucking Adler like a sexy mountain man tree and find out if my eyes are deceiving me, or if that bulge in his slutty gray sweatpants is bigger than I remember.
“Hi,” I stammer, hoping he doesn’t notice I’m practically drooling over him.
Keep cool, Holly. Chill. Like a cheesecake. Or rum custard. Great, now I’m turned on and hungry.
“Wha’ssit?” He yawns, scratching his abdomen where dark hair leads down into the slouched waistband of his pants.
I blurt the first thing that springs to mind. “You’re shirtless. I mean—It’s morning.”
“Morning,” he repeats drowsily. “Stubbed my damn toe getting up. Forgot about the legs on the nightstand. Always gets me.”
I nod in sympathy, too stunned by the sight of his chiseled physique to form a snappy response. “Bastard furniture.”
He hums in agreement, casually bracing an arm overhead in the doorway. My mouth goes completely dry.
Oh my god. I’m screaming inside.
Was he always this hot?
Always so generously toned and—I can’t believe I’m admitting this even in my head—so tempting?
He wasn’t, right? He couldn’t possibly have been this fit the last time I saw him when we were in college.
I’d pinch myself to see if I’m in one of the pesky dreams featuring him, but having his hooded green gaze focused intently on me is making it hard to think. He draws in a deep breath, releasing it with a pleased rumbling exhale before leaning in like he’s going to kiss me.
“Caleb.” I stop whatever he’s trying to pull with a hand on his firm stomach.
He covers it with his palm, holding my touch against his skin. His body is so much warmer than my cold fingers, and he smells incredible. The rich, earthy aroma blended with pine makes my knees weak.
“Caleb.” His name comes out a bit breathless this time.
He stills, clearing his throat as he releases his grasp. “Sorry. Takes me a minute to fully wake up. Can’t get used to it, even after all the morning skates on my schedule.”
I recall how his mom would send me, Layla, and our friend Hana into his room on the weekends to make sure he didn’t sleep all day. It took forever to pull him from slumber deeper than the dead.
“I remember.” Ignoring how nice his muscles felt, I back down the hall. “I’m making coffee. Come down if you want some.”
“Sounds good. I’m going to shower, then I’ll join you.”
Once his door closes, I haul ass to the first floor. I don’t stop until I brace my hands on the sink, taking several breaths to calm my racing heart. If I hadn’t stopped him, I’m certain he was going to kiss me.
A warm flutter stirs in my stomach.
I don’t want to admit to myself whether or not I would’ve let him.
If I did, I’d only get hurt again. I have to stay strong.
Once a heartbreaker, always a heartbreaker. There’s no second chances for us. Especially not for Christmas.