Chapter 3

“Drive safely, kid. Things are going to get worse before they get better.”

“You, too, Harold. Have a good night.”

“That’s the weirdest sports bar I’ve ever been in,” Derek said once they were outside, snow swirling around them.

Melanie laughed, but the wind carried the sound away. Realizing that talking would be futile until they took shelter from the wind, she took his arm and guided him to her car. Even through his heavy coat, she could feel his firm muscles. It was too easy to imagine what he would feel like, beneath the coat, without his shirt. She forced herself to let him go when they reached the car, but her mind refused to abandon the image of his naked chest.

Her headlights cut through the blizzard, but only allowed a few feet of visibility.

“Are you sure you feel comfortable driving in this?” he asked as he buckled his belt.