Snow Day

I was pouring our coffee when Acacia, Ward’s very large cat, head bonked my ankle, causing me to spill hot coffee on the counter and my hand.

“Damn it. Girl, I love you and all, but you almost wound up covered in scalding hot coffee.”

Acacia meowed in response, then sat down behind me with her tail curled around my foot as I rinsed my hand in cool water.

“Then you would’ve been mad at me because Ward would’ve had to walk you to the vet in all of this deep snow, and I would’ve been irritated at you for…”

“Babe, who are you ta— There you are, Acacia,” Ward’s deep and smooth voice sounded from the kitchen’s entrance. He scooped up the cat and buried his face in her fur. As soon as she was in his arms, she started purring. I loved his cat, but I still wasn’t used to living with her or with any cat, for that matter. She walked so damn quietly. I suggested that Ward give her a cute collar with a little bell, but he doubted that she would be game for it.

I took our mugs to our makeshift café table, which was a small camping table with a bed sheet over it and folding chairs for seats. I found a coffee shop playlist and started it up while Ward brought in the pot of coffee and sugar. Acacia sauntered over to her spot near the fireplace.

“Are you ready?” Ward asked.

I nodded. I went over to the other side of the room and walked towards him. We were supposed to go out on a date, but a sudden winter storm hit, and we found ourselves snowed in for the weekend. Instead, we re-created a coffee shop setting and pretended we were going out on our first date after flirting with each other for a while.

“Hey, Kiri. Glad you could make it,” Ward said as he pulled me in for an embrace.

“I wouldn’t miss getting a chance to see you. This is a cute little coffee shop you found. Strange that the ceilings are so high, though.”

“Yeah, I thought so, too. It’s almost as if this place was meant to be someone’s house. You look gorgeous, by the way.”

I performed a slow turn to show off my little red dress. “And you’re looking fine in that button-down… arms all out and looking strong.”

“Yeah, I lift a little here and there. As a shifter, I’m pretty strong, but the weights still give my muscles a good pump. We should work out together sometime.” He pulled out my chair for me, and we sat down.

“You willing to spot me?”

“I gotchu, girl. By the way, the barista was kind enough to leave the pot of coffee for us. It’s their house blend.”

“That’s generous of them.”

For a moment, neither one of us said anything to each other. Ward’s eyes roamed over me as if he were memorizing my every inch, freckle, dimple, and curve. A slow smile crept across his face, one that showed all of his teeth, including his sharp canines.

“What?” I gave a small nervous chuckle.

“Nothing. I was just admiring you and thinking.”

“Thinking about what?” I took a sip of my coffee and let it warm my insides.

He sat back in his seat and shook his head, “We’ve been flirting for a while and dancing around the idea of a date. I’m curious, what made you say, ‘yes’?”

“I enjoy you, your energy, being around you, and our flirty banter. Why wouldn’t I say yes? Tell me, what made you ask me out on a date now and not then?”

He sat forward and grasped his mug, which looked ridiculously small in his hand. I smiled to keep from laughing.

“Simple. I was nervous. I knew that you could always decline, but I was also looking for the right time and trying to build the right scene. With you, I want everything to be intentional and romantic because you deserve it. I have another question for you: why are you trying to hide your laugh? I know you see me trying to drink politely from this little ass mug they gave us.”

That’s when we both burst out into laughter. Acacia’s head popped up to see what the commotion was, then she went back to sleep.

“Okay, pause scene,” I said in between giggles. “Babe, would you like to use one of your mugs instead? I’d have to wash one out for you, though.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it. You just sit tight.”

In the time that we’ve been together, this was the first time that our date plans have been interrupted, and since I moved to Silverlake Junction, this was the first time I’ve seen the area get this much snow. I thought that the magic that kept the town hidden would also keep the weather mild, but clearly that wasn’t the case. From what I heard from my girlfriends, Northeast Ohio’s winter storm hit them harder than it did here.

“Okay, resume scene.” When he came back with a beer stein instead, I broke out into laughter again.

“Guess what? I talked to the staff and found out that they’re so accommodating. Not only did they give me a bigger mug, but they also said that we’re more than welcome to use a little bit of rum for you, and a specialty rum for me.”

“I won’t say no to a bit of alcohol. Not too much, though. This is still our first date.”

“Agreed. The last time I got drunk, my friends said that I tried to get them to join me for karaoke.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad. I’m guessing they didn’t join you?”

“They didn’t. It would’ve been hard to anyway because there was no karaoke machine, and I was using an empty bottle of shifter alcohol as a microphone.”

“I would’ve loved to see that. My drunk story isn’t as interesting as yours. One of the last times I was drunk, I just tried to make friends with everyone.”

Ward poured a small amount of rum into our mugs and said cheers. We talked about making drinks, shared funny stories from childhood, and talked about our dreams. Even though we were actually newly married and fully mated, things had gotten busy, and there were many days when the only time we had with each other was when we were going to bed. I watched the way he sat in the chair when he talked and how his posture changed when I talked. His whole body eagerly tuned in to me whenever I spoke, as if he didn’t want to miss a word. The same excitement and butterflies that I felt when we were initially getting to know each other came back, and all I wanted to do was sit on his lap and let my body melt into his. I yearned to feel his strong arms embrace me and hold me close to his heart.

“Give me your hand.”

“Why?” I asked, putting my hand out anyway.

“I want to try something.”

His hands were warm and tough. At his touch, warmth spread from my palms up to my arms. He began rubbing my hand, wrist, and forearm gently. With just the right pressure, he began to massage my hand and paid attention to each finger from knuckle to tip. Feelings of pleasure and relaxation spread up my arm, coaxing me to sit back and enjoy. He scooted his chair closer to me so I could sit back without either of us having to reach.

“You know what I like about massages?”

“What? That they feel amazing when done right?”

“Well, there’s that… but I’ve heard people say that it can help release the hormone oxytocin and help promote feelings of bonding, security, and trust between couples. Granted, that’s just what I’ve briefly read somewhere, but what do you think?”

“Oh, I think they’re right. I feel closer and more secure with you already.”

He moved to my forearm next. He worked muscles that I didn’t realize were tense. When he finished, he kissed my palm and moved to the other hand. He had given me plenty of massages before, and every time I fell asleep. Today was no exception. I wasn’t ready to shut my eyes yet, so I kept up the conversation.

“Ooo, this feels really good right now. How did you get so good at giving massages?”

“I learned the basics from an ex. After we broke up, I kept at it and took some classes. I love a good massage, and I enjoy helping others feel good.”

“Ever thought about doing it professionally?”

“Don’t want to. Massaging is a hobby for me, and I don’t want to put my hands on any ol’ person for a living.”

“So, hypothetically, if you were my man, I’d get free massages any time I want?”

“Absolutely.

“And they’d be legitimate massages when I really need them, not massages like some other dudes claim to give that always end up with both of our clothes off?”

“Whatever the lady wants, the lady gets.” Upon finishing my hand, he kissed my palm, then held both of my hands in his.

“So, for the next part of our date, I found a little spot to sit back, relax, and watch the sunset. Would you like to go?”

“Show me.”

Ward offered me his arm, and we walked around the house, pretending to observe the scenery and waving to invisible people. I expected him to take us to the couch, but instead, he took us to our little library. When he opened the door, I saw that he set up a sheet and a projector, which was hooked up to his computer. The video playing was put to music and showed the sun setting from the spot where Ward and I ended our first official date. In front of the screen was the leather loveseat, and on the floor were pictures of flowers. Nostalgia filled me and blossomed into a greater sense of love and appreciation. He dimmed the lights, and we cuddled on the loveseat.

I rested my head on his shoulder and counted his breaths. He was wearing the sandalwood and vanilla-scented body oil I bought for him from the farmer’s market. He kissed the top of my head. A pleasant tingling sensation and warmth spread from my crown to my fingers and toes. When I nestled into his side, I felt the muscles in his torso instinctively relax. As the snow piled up outside, we curled up and listened to music while watching the sunset of a once summer day in Silverlake Junction.

“Kiri, I have one last question to ask you. Will you be mine?”

“Only if you’ll be mine, too,” I grinned.

“Without a doubt.”

Ward tilted my chin up, gave me a short peck, then followed it up with a kiss that was passionate and scorching hot. He gently caressed the side of my face, deepening the kiss even more. In that moment, the only thing I could think of was how delicious it felt to be so close to him. For a while, we stayed there just kissing and holding each other. We needed to slow down and spend time with each other, and the snow day gave us just that.