Page 41 of SnowBound

9

ANDERSON

At seven, Abby got ready to board her plane, and I pulled her in for another kiss. One last kiss. I tucked her hair behind her ear, framing her cheek with my palm, losing myself in the deep ocean of her eyes one last time. “Will you be all right?”

No matter how crazy it sounded, I had no idea how to let her go. I had experienced the best night of my life, and my insides coiled, knowing we only had minutes left.

Abby nodded, chewing on her bottom lip. By now, I knew it meant she was anxious about something. Or uncomfortable. I wished I could reassure her that everything would be all right. That it wasn’t the end. And we had more time. But it would all be a lie. I knew it. And she knew it too.

So instead of feeding her promises I wouldn’t be able to keep, I kissed her forehead. My lips lingered there for a long moment. I couldn’t not touch her.

A long-distance relationship with someone I met mere hours ago didn’t stand to reason. No matter how crazy the chemistry we shared was. We both had our lives, our friends, and college. Relationships needed nurturing and commitment, something neither one of us could pursue with miles of distance separating us. Our timing was all wrong. In another life, another time, maybe we could have made it work, but now, even if we tried, life would keep us apart. Neither of us needed the stress it would provide. And the truth was that we didn’t know each other much, even though it felt like we did.

My arms fastened around her body, and she buried her face in my chest. Entangled, we stood there, our hearts syncing, and our silence speaking volumes.

After what felt like just seconds, she leaned back from my embrace and blinked, lifting a finger. “Oh, wait. I forgot to give you your present.”

“You got me something? I don’t need a present, Abby. I didn’t get you anything. And you already gave me more than a guy stranded in an airport could ask for. You brightened up my night. You made me smile. And you rocked my world. It’s better than anything I could ever hope for.”

Her mouth creased into a small smile, and she pressed a finger to my lips. “Andy, you gave me everything I wished for. You brought magic into my Christmas. It wouldn’t have been special without you. Believe me, this will be the highlight of my winter break.” She picked up a red box from the bag we’d been carrying around for the last few hours. “I asked the woman to double up on the bubble wrap. I hope it survived the night.”

With repeated glances her way, I opened the package. Inside lay a snow globe. I flipped in over, and millions of glittery snowflakes fell over the couple frozen in time inside, kissing on a park bench between a white fir and a snowman.

My heart sizzled in my chest.

I blinked fast to dissipate the emotions strangling me. This girl. For a night, she had been my source of joy. My anchor. My everything. And in a moment, she would only be a memory from my past.

“Abby, wow. It’s beautiful… You sure you want me to have it?”

She bobbed her head, her eyes watery and her lower lip trembling.

“Yes. I bought it for you. When I saw it earlier, it reminded me of you. Of the two of us.”

“But… We didn’t even know each other back then.” My eyes searched hers.

“I feel like I’ve known you all along, Andy. Even before I came to talk to you in that café. I believe in destiny. And fate. And I’m confident we were meant to meet last night. That we were both there at the same time for a reason neither of us can explain.”

“Kismet,” I murmured.

“Maybe it’s Christmas magic. Or fate. Maybe it’s something else. But no matter what brought us together, I’ll always cherish the hours we shared. Thank you for being my friend last night. And taking part in my silly challenge. And for loving me when I needed you to. It meant more than you’ll ever imagine. I’m thankful. For every minute we spent together.”

Her words hit me straight in the chest. My heart dashed in my chest with a boatload of foreign emotions.

When I opened my mouth, my words got glued to the tip of my tongue. There was so much I wanted to tell her, but I had no idea how to express my deepest feelings. If lovestruck was really something that could exist, I was sure it would look like us. But it was impossible. You couldn’t feel this way about a stranger you’d only known for a few hours.

Before I could make a fool of myself, I turned the globe over, mesmerized by the magical display, and noticed a small inscription at the bottom.

Abby + Andy’s Magical Night

More emotions choked me.

With the pad of my thumb, I wiped the tears streaming down Abby’s cheeks. Her eyes looked bluer than before. Shiny ice crystals I refused to avoid.

“I love it. Abby, I can’t promise you forever or that we’ll ever meet again. But I can promise you I’ll never forget you. That I swear.” I cupped my thundering organ with one hand. “Meeting you has changed me. Forever. I’m the one who’s thankful. And I wish this storm had lasted a very long time, then I wouldn’t have to say goodbye to you so soon. Who knew being snowbound could be this amazing?”

I molded a hand around her nape and pulled her in. She rested her forehead on my chest, and we stood there, relishing the last few seconds we had with each other.

“This is the last boarding call for passengers booked on flight 217A to Nashville. Please proceed to gate three immediately…” A voice spoke through a microphone.