Nik managed to scrape together a makeshift dinner. What's left of it are now scattered across the tiny coffee table in front of the fire.

Two wine glasses and potato chips crumbs. Champions.

An hour ago, I never would have imagined it possible to feel this snug and cozy. Yet here we are, sprawled out on the blankets in front of the fireplace.

"What is it?" Nik asks.

"What?" I didn't even realize I was smiling. "Oh, I just -This is not me. Sitting half naked with some woodsman I just met."

"Woodsman?" Nik laughs heartily.

He shifts ever so slightly closer to me. The deep V of his T shirt shows off his clavicles. Even they have muscles.

"Sorry," I roll my eyes. "Woodsy man."

"See what happens when you don't plan out every minute of every day?"

"I never said I planned every minute." I stretch out a little more comfortably, well aware how snug we are in front of this fire and well aware how crackling and romantic it is. Most aware how almost drunk I am. Deja would be so proud.

"I bet you wish you could, though?" Nik asks.

"Well, if I planned today a little better then I'd be wearing pants right now," I giggle.

"You're pretty funny, Noe."

"I've been told," I smirk. "You're pretty-"

"Woodsy?" Nik finishes for me.

I laugh at the accuracy.

"You know, I don't see a Christmas tree around here. What's that about?" I ask, craning my neck and changing the subject.

"I always decorate one on Christmas Eve," he answers.

"But then you only get it for one night," I raise my eyebrow. "It's Tree 101."

"From the expert," Nik jokes.

"Well -Yes! I had our tree up since December 1." I tell him.

Nik is kind enough to gloss over the our in my sentence.

"Even if I did have a tree, I'd have hidden it from you. Don't want you throwing shade at it, or lighting it on fire." Nik teases.

I roll my eyes, looking at the fireplace. "You don't even have a stocking. Do you put that up Christmas Eve too?"

"We used to." He frowns.

I hear the we and instantly feel like a moron.

"I'm sorry," I blurt.

"Don't be," Nik says, shaking his head.

I stare at him, his face bathed in firelight, flickering shadows in his eyes. I breathe him in, and suddenly enthralled is insignificant.

"Is this your move, Nik?" I ask, coy. I'm aware of all the wine I had for dinner.

"My move?"

"You know, snowy whispering pines outside, the cozy blankets and popping fireplace," I say, waving my hands around.

Nik looks down for a second before shaking his head. "I don't have a move, Noelle."

"Saying you don't have a move is a move," I tell him. "I'm from New York. I've seen and heard it all."

"And?" Nik moves closer. "Is it working?"

The only thing between us is six inches of blanket.

"It's not not working." I pull at my lip.

I can almost taste his breath in the space between us. I'm suddenly very aware I'm not wearing any pants.

Nik places a colossal (pleasantly calloused) hand on the side of my neck, brushing my messy hair away. I lean into it, keeping my eyes fixed on his chocolatey browns.

I place a hand up and pull his hand away from my neck and down to the space between our laps. "But, Nik, I'm leaving in like a week," I hear myself saying. "We shouldn't bother-"

"No planning, Noe," he whispers so closer to my ears.

His hand is back on my bare neck; it glides across my chest and traces the V collar of my (his) button-down.

"No plans," I repeat.

His warm breath beats against my neck. Nik lifts his head, his lips searching in earnest. I feel them part mine and a shiver runs down my spine. I place a palm gingerly against his chest for balance as I kiss him back.

Nik removes his hands from my hair as I pull back, biting my lip with hesitation. I don't say anything; he doesn't say anything. He just stares at me through his dark brown irises.

"That was," I exhale. "Unexpected."

Nik places an arm around my back and pulls me towards him. I rest my head against his chest and match my breaths to his. I'm even warmer than before. I stare dreamily at the flames, only paying attention to Nik's fingers tracing my shoulder.

For the first time since taking the midnight train home, and running into a reindeer, I'm thinking maybe this wasn't such a horrible plan after all.

...

I wake up to two things: Nik and an empty fire grate.

The cabin walls are no longer glowing with warm yellow from the fire, but morning sunlight reflecting off the snow outside. The windows are covered in white. I stand from the couch slowly, careful not to wake Nik, who is still fast asleep.

My eyes sweep his face. His eyelids futter and I wonder if he's dreaming. I can see his chest rising and falling through his whit T shirt. I wonder how he's not freezing cold. My bare legs are two thick icicles!

I pull my jeans from the hook Nik hung them on beside the fire. They are perfectly dry now, and so is my sweater and coat. Nik rolls over and stretches his muscly arms behind his head but remains sound asleep. He looks so kissable. I want to just run my hands through his wavy hair like last night.

My phone buzzes against the floor where Nik plugged it in last night.

"Shit!" I whisper to myself, tiptoeing over to the outlet.

It's 6:02 AM!

I read the slew of text messages blowing up my inbox.

Will you be home for dinner, Noe?

Noelle?? Where are you?

Do you think Bieber is better now than his Baby days?

Let's hit that hippie bar for New Years Eve... The one with the nachos

Your aunt said you're at the cabin. Phew.

"Ugh, Jesus."

I sort through everything from my mom, and Jayden and Deja.

I zip up my coat and tuck the ends of my scarf inside it. my earmuffs were abandoned in the sleigh, so chances are I'll never see them again. Instead, I take Nik's spare beanie and pull it over my day-old wet-dog curls.

He gave it to me right?

I toss his flannel button-down on the arm of the couch by his feet.

This is me, sneaking out on a man after spending a night secluded (stranded) in his wintry chalet.

Preston Who?

———

[Below is a little cutesy graphic I made for the cabin. Loved writing the last few chapters. Who else has a major crush on Nik? Show of hands. Just me?]