Lights Out, Love In

Chapter 7: A Night at the Treehouse

Escape to the Past

The towering pines of Misty Hollow’s forest stretched into the dark sky, their branches heavy with snow. Claire’s boots crunched over the frozen path, the sound swallowed by the soft rustle of the wind. Her camera bag swung against her hip, and she clutched a thermos of hot cocoa like it was her lifeline.

She needed a break. Between Emily’s relentless demands, the Christmas market chaos, and Adrian’s constant smirking presence, Claire was teetering on the edge of a holiday meltdown.

The forest opened up to a clearing, and there it was her childhood sanctuary. The treehouse.

The wooden structure, nestled between two sturdy oaks, looked smaller than she remembered but just as comforting. The ladder’s wooden rungs creaked under her grip as she climbed up, the thermos slung over her shoulder.

Inside, the air was cold but familiar. Claire brushed away a cobweb and dropped onto the floor with a sigh. The treehouse was just as she’d left it: faded crayon drawings on the walls, old pinecones in the corner, and a small window that offered a perfect view of the starry sky.

She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, unscrewed the thermos lid, and took a long sip of cocoa. For the first time all day, the chaos of Misty Hollow felt miles away.

Adrian’s Not So Stealthy Arrival

“Nice setup,” a voice called from below, shattering the stillness.

Claire nearly dropped her thermos. Scrambling to the window, she peered down to see Adrian standing at the base of the tree, his hands in his coat pockets and a smug grin on his face.

“Are you stalking me now?” she demanded.

“Hardly,” Adrian replied, craning his neck to look up at her. “Emily sent me. She said you disappeared into the woods and wanted to make sure you weren’t eaten by a bear. ”

“Very funny,” Claire said, rolling her eyes. “I’m fine. You can go back to charming her with your handyman act. "

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “What, no invitation? I’m hurt. "

“You’re not climbing up here. "

“Oh, I’m definitely climbing up,” Adrian said, grabbing the ladder.

“Adrian ...”

Too late. The ladder groaned under his weight as Adrian started to ascend, his movements deliberate.

The ladder swayed precariously, and Adrian paused mid climb.

“Is this thing OSHA approved?” he called up.

“OSHA? This ladder predates electricity,” Claire shot back. “If you fall, it’s not my fault. "

“Good to know,” Adrian muttered, gripping the rungs tighter.

Claire folded her arms, watching as he hauled himself onto the platform with exaggerated effort.

“Made it,” he declared, brushing snow from his coat.

“Congratulations,” Claire said dryly. “Your medal’s in the mail. "

Adrian glanced around the treehouse, his lips twitching. “Wow. This place screams ‘childhood nostalgia. "

Claire crossed her arms. “It was my escape. Don’t ruin it. "

“Escape from what?” Adrian asked, leaning against the wall.

“Life,” Claire said simply.

Adrian nodded, his tone turning teasing again. “And now you’re using it to escape... me?”

Claire glared. “Trust me, if I were escaping you, I’d pick somewhere with a lock. "

They settled into opposite corners of the treehouse, the small space forcing an uncomfortable intimacy. Adrian leaned back against the wall, one leg stretched out, his hands resting casually on his knee.

“So,” he began, breaking the silence. “What’s the story here? Did you build this thing yourself?”

Claire smirked. “No. My dad built it for Emily and me when we were kids. We used to spend hours up here, making up stories and pretending the treehouse was a pirate ship or a castle. ”

Adrian nodded thoughtfully. “And now it’s... what? A hideout from garlands and cocoa machines?”

“Something like that,” Claire admitted, her fingers curling around the thermos. “It’s just... peaceful. Up here, the rest of the world feels far away. ”

Adrian studied her for a moment, his easy grin fading. “I get that. "

Claire raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”

“Yeah,” Adrian said, his voice quieter now. “Growing up, my mom and I moved around a lot. No roots, no stability. I always wanted a place like this. Somewhere to just... be. ”

Claire hesitated, surprised by the vulnerability in his tone. “That sounds hard. ”

“It was,” Adrian admitted. “But it taught me to adapt. To make the best of whatever situation I’m in. ”

Claire tilted her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “That explains your weird confidence. ”

Adrian smirked. “Weird? I prefer ‘charmingly unshakable. "

Claire rolled her eyes. “Let’s go with ‘weird. "

The wind picked up outside, rattling the treehouse. Claire shivered, pulling her coat tighter around her.

“You’re freezing,” Adrian observed.

“I’m fine,” Claire said stubbornly.

Adrian shrugged off his scarf and leaned over to drape it around her neck before she could protest.

“What are you .... ”

“Saving you from hypothermia,” Adrian interrupted. “You’re welcome. ”

Claire frowned, but the scarf was warm, and it smelled faintly of pine and something woodsy. She muttered a grudging, “Thanks. "

Adrian leaned back, his smirk firmly in place. “See? I can be useful. "

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Claire said, though her tone was softer now.

Adrian tapped his fingers against the wooden floor, glancing out the small window. “You know, I think you’re the only person in Misty Hollow who hasn’t completely embraced the Christmas spirit. ”

Claire huffed. “And that’s a problem because...?”

“Because you’re missing out,” Adrian said simply. “This place is magical if you let it be. "

Claire stared at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “Magical,” she repeated, her tone skeptical.

Adrian grinned. “Don’t knock it till you try it, city girl. "

Back to Reality

Eventually, the cold became too much, and they climbed down from the treehouse. Adrian insisted on going first, testing each rung of the ladder dramatically.

“Still standing,” he called up.

“Don’t make me regret letting you up here,” Claire muttered, descending carefully.

When they reached the ground, the moonlight cast a soft glow over the snow covered clearing. Adrian turned to her, his expression teasing but warm.

“So, is this your plan for the week? Hiding in tree houses and pretending the holidays don’t exist?”

Claire smirked. “It’s a solid strategy. ”

Adrian shook his head, his grin widening. “Well, if you change your mind, I happen to know a pretty decent Christmas market you helped save. ”

“Good to know,” Claire said, though her tone was more playful now.

As they walked back toward the inn, their breath visible in the frosty air, Claire found herself glancing at Adrian out of the corner of her eye.

Maybe just maybe he wasn’t as insufferable as she thought.