Love chasers

Stuck in a snowstorm

*Lena*

In almost no time, the wind outside is howling like an angry beast, rattling the cabin's windows and sending flurries of snow swirling against the glass. I can hear the storm brewing, an ominous symphony of nature preparing to unleash its fury upon the world. Inside, however, the atmosphere is surprisingly warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the tempest outside.

Zac leans back against the slightly worn couch, his rugged charm unmistakable even if I do not really want to admit it. “So, considering we’ll have a lot of time to kill, tell me more about you, Lena,” he says, a playful glint dancing in his eyes as I pour us both steaming mugs of cocoa. The rich aroma envelops us, mingling with the faint scent of pine from the cabin’s wooden beams, creating an intimate cocoon amidst the howling winds. “What’s the deal with you and Mr. Perfect Hair out there?”

I take a sip of my cocoa, the warmth spreading through me like a comforting hug, and glance down at my cup, tracing the rim with my finger. “James?” I sigh, the name tasting bitter on my tongue like burnt sugar. “We used to be engaged... the whole wedding was planned and everything.”

Zac raises an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. “I’m guessing something went south… like Antarctica-level south? That sounds like a story worth telling.”

I chuckle lightly, the tension in my chest easing as I open up. It’s refreshing talking to someone who’s not part of my tangled web of heartbreak. Someone who is not family. “Well, shortly before the big day, I’d planned a huge celebration for his promotion… a fancy dinner, friends, family… the works. I can admit now that I overlooked some red flags… blatant ones, really… but I didn’t want to admit that my family was right about him.” I pause, the memory flooding back, sharp and painful. “But then I caught him making out with a waitress at the party. In the room right next to the dinner. He didn’t even feel bad about it. Told me I should just be grateful that he wanted me. Talk about a fairy tale gone wrong.”

Zac’s expression shifts from playful to serious, the warmth of his gaze piercing but still I see understanding there. “Wow. That’s… brutal. I’m sorry, Lena. You deserve so much better than that.” He pauses for a moment, shaking his head. “Damn, I picked him for a douche, but wow… what a s**t burger.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, feeling the weight of his empathy settle around me like a cozy blanket. “It was a wake-up call, though. I realized I had been trying to mold myself to fit someone else’s idea of happiness while completely losing sight of my own, not to mention losing contact with my family. I had no idea he would be here though, if I had known I would not have come.”

He nods, sipping his cocoa thoughtfully, the steam curling up around his face like a halo. “You know, sometimes storms come to clear the air. They shake things up, force you to reevaluate what really matters.”

I smile faintly, appreciating the metaphor. “Is that what you think is happening here? That I’m having some sort of life epiphany while snowflakes fall outside?”

“Absolutely,” he says, leaning in slightly, his tone earnest. “You faced him and came out on top. Now you’re here, away from the noise, and you’re free to figure it all out. It’s just you, me, and a winter storm. No distractions, no expectations. Just time.”

The wind howls louder, and I glance out of the window again, watching as the snow transforms the world outside into a swirling white canvas, a blank slate waiting to be painted. “So, what’s your story, Mr. Storm King?” I ask, eager to shift the focus from my own heartbreak. “What makes you chase storms?”

He chuckles, his eyes lighting up with passion, the storm forgotten for a moment. “It’s the thrill of the unknown, I guess. The adrenaline rush of standing on the edge, watching nature unleash its power. But it’s also about connection… between the storm and me. There’s something mystical about it, a reminder of how small we really are in the grand scheme of things. And the more we know, the more we can do to warn people and save lives.”

“That sounds actually sound… incredible,” I say, genuinely intrigued. “But don’t you ever get scared?”

He shrugs, a confident smile breaking across his face. “Sure, all the time, but fear is just part of the adventure. If I let it control me, I would never experience anything worth remembering.”

“I could never…” I say, my voice trailing off. “That’s me… never really experiencing anything.”

He shakes his head, a teasing light in his eyes. “I’m not buying that. I think you’ve got a bit of that wild side in you too, Lena. You just need a little push.”

I meet his gaze, and for the first time, I feel a flicker of excitement amidst my uncertainty. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m ready for a little adventure… just not outside in that storm.”

Zac grins, and the warmth between us suddenly feels electric, crackling with potential. “Storm should be over tomorrow. I’d be happy to take you on an adventure then.”

“Sounds great,” I admit, though I honestly don’t have much idea of where to start.

“But for now, we have time to kill,” he grins, wiggling his eyebrows in a way that makes me laugh despite myself. “What do you say we make some inside memories while we wait for the storm to blow over?”

I slap his shoulder playfully. “Bastard, here I just started liking you. If you go creepy on me, I will throw you out into that storm.”

He just laughs, and for some reason, I can’t help but laugh with him, the sound echoing against the cabin walls, a bright spot in the midst of the storm.