Page 33 of Heart of Ice

“Where are we going?” he asked because that was just Max. Always ready to jump in headfirst.

“You’re using my cabin,” Jarin said and looked between the two of us. “You’ll love it, and you’re welcome.” He turned back to Joe and continued whatever they were talking about.

“Is he serious?” Max whispered.

“Yes, I asked a few of the guys for suggestions of places to go for a weekend away and he offered up his cabin. It’s across the street from Lake Tahoe,” I said and hoped he liked that idea.

“Oh wow, I hope it snows while we’re there,” he said.

“We might be stuck inside if that happens.” I hadn’t made any plans outside of us going. I thought we could decide once we got there. “Not that I’d mind being stuck in a cabin with you.”

“I could think of a few things to keep us busy,” he said directly into my ear making me shiver.

“Hey, save that for later,” Griffin said, making both of us laugh.

“That’s what you get for eavesdropping,” Max said.

“I can’t wait to go,” I said.

“Me either,” Max replied.

A few hours later we were at my house lying in bed facing each other. “Is there anything you would have changed about how we met?” Max asked.

“No, because I don’t think we would have met any other way,” I said.

“You’re probably right. You could have worked at a hospital and the only way I would have met you is if I happened to go in while you were working,” Max said.

“You’ve really thought about this,” I said and kissed his nose.

“I never thought I’d meet someone I’d love as much as you.”

I thought about how things had changed between us after I’d been injured and the look in his eyes when he told me he loved me the first time. I imagined my life years later, and Max was there, he was always there. “I’m so glad we found each other.” I rolled him over and kissed him like we hadn’t just made love, and I hadn’t been with him all day. I wanted every second of every minute and every hour of every day with him and I never wanted us to end.

The End