“I was afraid you’d say that at one point…â€? Chris responds, dropping his arms from around me but taking one of my hands in his as we begin walking towards my car. When we get there, despite the cold, Chris takes off his jacket and shakes off all the snow. I give him a questioning look and he answers, “I wouldn’t want to get snow in your brand new car!â€?

“Thanks, but it’s really alright… Shouldn’t do too much damage…â€? I tell him. He shrugs and puts his jacket back on before getting in the car. I get in right behind him and start the car immediately to get the heat going. I haven’t realized until just now just how frozen every inch of my body was.

As the heat flooded the car and heated my blood again, feeling returned to my limbs and with it, the pain of being so cold for so long.

“Here, lemme help.â€? Chris says, reaching over and taking my still numb fingers and wrapping his hands completely around mine.

“Thanks.â€? I say. We sit like this for a minute, him holding my hands and gazing into my eyes.