Meredith
I’m barely able to feel the tip of my nose. It’s so cold. Despite the hot air that’s attacking my face, I’m in physical pain from the way my cheeks are stinging.
My teeth are chattering, and the man beside me glances at the road repeatedly before pulling over.
“I’m just gonna check the road. I can’t see much out of the windscreen,” he explains, jumping out of the truck.
I’m grateful he’s left the heating on, and I inch closer to it, the warmth thawing my chilly skin.
He’s right. I can’t see shit out of the windscreen. The snow flies at the window; a flurry of grey and white snowflakes that the windscreen wipers can’t keep at bay.
I jump when the driver’s door opens, letting in a gust of icy air.
“How is it?” I mumble, closing my eyes as I rest my hand over the heater.
“Abysmal. Winters here are always pretty harsh, but this is something else. I’m just gonna call my friend at the garage and see if he can make it out of town. This truck has winter tyres, and it still wouldn’t make it down that slope. It’s like glass.”
This is all I need. My car is buried in a snowy hillside somewhere with all my belongings in it, and now I’m stranded in a truck with a stranger.
God, he could be a serial killer.
I peek at him out of the corner of my eye, finding dark hair peppered with grey hiding his features. He’s broad, and his hands are covered in scratches and cuts. He exhales, and I avert my eyes when he speaks into the phone.
“Nat? It’s Dill, is he there?”
Seconds pass, and he groans.
“Seriously? It’s bad here. I’m out by Cardiac Hill, and I can’t get the truck down. Can you get him to call me? Yeah. Might need him to get this woman I’ve picked up to the garage.”
He hangs up, finally turning towards me. I keep my head down, refusing to look up.
I know that name. Dill.
“Apparently, there’s no way into town at the minute. I don’t live far from here. If I can get the truck there, you’re welcome to come with me.”
“Dill?” I whisper, moving my hair so I can focus on him.
That jaw. The same full lips that I’d fantasised over for years as a girl. The eyes, the pools of ocean blue that are studying me with curiosity.
“Uh, yeah, that’s me. Dylan, but my friends call me—“
“Dill,” I breathe as I turn to him.
He frowns then, his eyes widening as he laughs softly.
“Wait,” he intones, his mouth curling into a smile of disbelief. “Is thatyou, Merry Christmas?”
The childhood nickname that followed me through school makes me nauseous with memories, my heart dancing when Dylan Charmer would call me that every time he saw me, only for him to fall in love with someone else.
“Oh my God.” He laughs, tugging the hat from my head. “Where’s the red hair gone?!”
“I’ve not had red hair since I was sixteen,” I scoff, remembering how he called me Rudolph. I tug the hat back on, sending him a glare. “So, now what are you going to call me?”
He stares at me, his eyes registering the hurt in my voice.
“Ah, shit. Was I a dick? I was. I’m sorry.”
“Can we just go? I’m freezing,” I huff, blowing on my hands to enforce the point.
