Chapter 11: Thaw

Natalie's POV

I could not sleep, so I made hot chocolate and walked back to the kinesiology building.

I told myself I was returning the sandwich bag.

"You're up late," I said, and held up the thermos.

Mikkel stood from the desk too fast.

His coat was on the chair, and his laptop was shut.

"It is one in the morning," he said. "You should be asleep."

"So should you."

I shut the door behind me with my hip and set the thermos on the bench.

"I always carry one of these," I said. "The night Tate's dad's boat lost power, one thermos kept four of us alive until sunrise."

"Four," he said quietly.

"Four who won't be at my table again."

He did not tell me it would be fine.

He poured the first cup into the lid and handed it to me, and our fingers brushed.

I drank, and the heat went all the way down, and my hands began to ache in the good way.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

"It's coming back." I held up my left hand. "I could barely feel my index finger on Saturday. Now it's pins."

"Show me."

He took my hand and turned it over under the lamp.

"Close your eyes," he said. "Tell me where I touch."

I closed them.

His thumb pressed my fingertip. "Here?"

"Yes."

His thumb moved to the pad of my middle finger. "Here?"

"Yes."

Then he lifted my hand and laid it flat against the side of his face.

"And here?"

My eyes flew open.

His jaw was rough under my palm, with the day's stubble, and warm.

I felt the exact moment he swallowed.

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