Page 8 of A Snowy Escape

“You said you were tired.” I shrug. “You must have gone north instead of south. It happens.”

“Now I feel like a complete idiot,” she says, looking up at me. “I printed out directions to a couple different places. I think I followed the wrong set.”

I hear what she says, but I’m also captivated by her.

She’s quite pretty, with soft cheeks, puffy lips, and big dark blue eyes. She’s on the slender side for an omega but has some curves.

“Don’t beat yourself up.” I clear my throat, shaking my head. “We all mess up from time to time. Do you believe in fate?”

She squints like she has no idea where that came from.

“My grandfather used to be a truck driver,” I say, getting right to the point. “When my siblings and I were little, he used to tell us about the only day in his professional career that he overslept. He swore he’d set his alarm the same way he did every night. If he’d been on time that morning, he would have been right in the middle of a forty-car pileup.”

“Wow,” she whispers, blinking repeatedly.

“Maybe your mix-up was your guardian angel looking out for you.”

“I don’t think I got one of those when they were being assigned,” she says, laughing awkwardly.

“Maybe it was just bad luck, then.” I smile. “How about I call around to the hotels and see if they have any vacancies? I’ll pay for a room for you for a few days. Just long enough for the inclement weather to pass. I’m not sure it’s safe to head into the storm, at least not in a vehicle without four-wheel drive.”

Especially when she mentioned she moved up here during the summer. Our winter weather is an entirely different world when compared to the milder seasons.

I think parts of Georgia get snow, but it’s nothing like the storm we’re about to be smacked with.

People die up here every year when they underestimate the weather.

“I drove past two hotels last night. They both had signs that said no vacancy,” she says, shaking her head.

“They might have people checking out today,” I say, shrugging. “At least let me give them a call.”

She opens her mouth, likely to protest.

I’m shocked when she gives a shaky nod.

“Okay, thanks, Bryant.”

Chapter Three

Abby

Being woken up by a man knocking on my window was not how I expected the morning to go. Luckily he wasn’t angry, but I can’t believe I got the dreaded knock on night one.

I’ve heard all about it on social media, and even watched a variety of videos from van-lifers about how to avoid parking in places you’re likely to get told to move in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately, I was reckless and avoided pretty much all of their recommendations. If nothing else, I got lucky by being woken up by someone who wasn’t aggressive.

Bryant is easy on the eyes and friendly in that way some people manage effortlessly. He ran inside the gym to check on a few things before the storm rolls in.

I’ve been considering leaving, since he’s not around to stop me. Technically speaking, I could just get in the car and risk it, but snow and bad weather scare me.

I have no experience driving in snow or ice. Hurting myself or someone else because I was being stubborn would be unforgivable.

Echo devours her breakfast and drinks half the bowl of water while I dance around, trying to pretend that I don’t have to pee so badly it’s becoming an issue.

Mr. Friendly Gym Owner could have been extra nice and offered to let me use his bathroom.

Echo whines, pulling me back over to the grass.