Love chasers

Breakfast

*Lena*

I wake to the soft crackling of the fire and the faint aroma of something delicious wafting through the air. It takes me a moment to gather my thoughts, to remember where I am. The warmth radiating from the blankets wrapped around me feels surreal, almost dreamlike. I glance around the room, realizing the space is still dim, but the flickering shadows on the walls hint at the growing morning light.

My body is cocooned in layers of ski underwear and a mountain of blankets. We shared the bed and blankets to keep warm, bit now I find the space beside me empty. I only have time to wonder for a minute, then I hear it… the soft clattering of pans and the gentle hum of Zac’s voice drifting in from the kitchen.

I wriggle out of the warm cocoon, the chill of the cabin hitting me like a shockwave. With each step, I feel the cold wooden floor beneath my feet, a stark contrast to the warmth I just left behind. I wrap my arms around myself, shivering slightly as I make my way toward the kitchen.

The sight that greets me is unexpected. Zac stands at the stove, his back to me, focused on the sizzling pan. The fireplace crackles beside him, sending flickers of light dancing across the walls. The flames leap and twist, illuminating his form in a way that makes my heart skip. He looks comfortable, adept in the kitchen, a far cry from the frantic energy I had seen in the storm.

“Morning,” I call out, attempting to sound casual despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. I am not really sure why I feel nervous all of a sudden.

He turns, and a smile breaks across his face, brightening the room even more than the fire. “Morning, sleepyhead! I hope you like scrambled eggs.”

“Did you cook those or just summon them with your mind?” I tease, stepping closer.

He chuckles, the sound warm and inviting. “A bit of both, actually. But I had to make sure the fire was going first. It’s much nicer in here now.”

I glance at the fireplace, noticing how the logs crackle robustly. “I thought we had to turn it off last night because of the clogged chimney,” I say, my brow furrowing. “Isn't it dangerous?”

Zac nods, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “I checked it this morning. The snow stopped, so I went up on the roof to clear the chimney. It was a bit of a workout, but I figured it was worth it if we wanted to get warm.”

I blink, a mix of awe and confusion washing over me. “You cleared the chimney… and cooked breakfast? Who are you, Superman?”

He laughs again, the sound echoing warmly in the cabin. “Just a guy trying to keep us alive in the middle of a snowstorm,” he replies, a hint of pride in his voice. “Even if the storm is over.”

As he plates the eggs and sets them on the table, I can’t help but admire him. There’s something incredibly comforting about his presence, the way he navigates the chaos with ease. It’s like he’s both my rescuer and my anchor, and I don’t know quite how to process that.

We sit down together, the delicious aroma of breakfast filling the air as I take my first bite. The flavors burst in my mouth, and I can’t help but moan in delight. “This is amazing!” I exclaim, my eyes lighting up.

“Glad you like it,” he says, a hint of bashfulness creeping into his voice. We eat in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sounds being the crackling fire and the occasional clink of cutlery against plates.

Just as I’m finishing my last bite, Zac’s phone buzzes on the table, slicing through the tranquility. He reaches for it, glancing at the screen before answering. “Hello? Yeah, I’m okay… finally got some signal. Just me and Lena here.”

My heart skips at the mention of my name, but I try to appear casual as I pick at the crumbs on my plate.

Zac’s expression shifts, his brows furrowing slightly. “Yeah, I know it was a mess last night… No, no, I’m fine. Just a bit of snow. You know how it is. See you later.” He puts his phone down, glancing at me with an unreadable expression.

“Who was that?” I can’t help but ask.

“Just my friends,” He says with a small shrug. “The signal has been down since the storm started, luckily I got a text through to them that I was staying here, so they did not go search for me in the storm.”

My stomach twists with surprise. “You have friends here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. I had assumed he was alone, a lone wolf in this winter wonderland.

“They’re about half a mile south. In my… cabin.” He says with a sheepish grin.

“But you said you did not have a room…” I say.

“And I don’t,” He chuckles. “I have a cabin a bit down the mountain.”

I huff, “so you didn’t actually need to stay here.”

He gets up and takes the empty plates, winking at me, “But aren’t you glad I did?”