You want to talk in a hot tub? I didn’t bring a suit and it’s snowing outside.
Simon glanced towards the kitchen; clarifying.
You won’t be cold in a hot tub, not even in winter. I promise. We can go in our underwear, that’s not big deal, right? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.
Cherish pressed her fingernails against the countertop. Blowing out, she leaned her head back. After a minute, she shook her head, but responded the opposite of how she felt.
Sure. Though I still get cold even when you say I won’t, but…you want to talk so alright.
He could tell from the way she worded herself that she was nervous. As she knew him, he knew her mannerisms completely through and tried to ease her worries.
Don’t worry too much. It’s nothing bad.
The movie seemed to drag on forever, but Simon realized that Jack and Miriam had already started to doze off. His parents, on the other hand, were far too close and content under their blanket.
Once finished, Cherish said a quick goodnight to everyone else. She was the first one out of the living room and up the steps for her bedroom. Simon didn’t cry like his father because he far too distracted by their planned meet up.
Everyone said goodnight sans Cherish and went to bed. Simon watched after their parents and flicked through the channels mindlessly in wait. He continuously glanced back at the staircase before he returned his gaze to the screen and tapped his finger impatiently on the remote control’s power button.
After twenty minutes, he leaned his head back towards the hallway where the others rested before he pushing himself to his feet and shutting off the lights. He went outside in the cold and pulled the cover from the hot tub. His fingers tested the water for Cherish before he shook his hand and cranked the dial to a higher temperature to appease her. Returning inside, Simon rubbed his hands together and blew into them as he tiptoed to the basement in search for the linen closet. The last thing he wanted to do was announce to his parents what was planned, and he was too nervous at the possibility of running into Cherish prematurely. With two towels in hand, he returned to the living room and stripped down to his boxer briefs. Even though he prepared himself for the frigid journey to the tub, he honestly couldn’t wait for her.
Pacing in the middle of the room, she shook her head repeatedly. She couldn’t comprehend what needed to be said, but also knew they couldn’t go about their lives without acknowledging what happened. Sighing, she mustered up her resolve before she stripped down and tied a towel around her body.
Opening the door, she clicked off the light and was plunged in shadows from the moonlit windows. The stairs creaked with her steps as she rounded the railing and was met with his half nude figure. Clenching her jaw, she subconsciously tightened the towel and wet her lips while approaching him silently. She inhaled a deep, regretful breath and stared out at the tub on the deck, “Why do I let you keep talking me into these things?” she asked.
Simon practically jumped out of his skin. His eyes narrowed at her while he tried to play it off, “Why do you keep scaring the life out of me is a better question.” He panted slightly.
Cherish pressed her hand against his shoulder to calm him, "Why are you such a wuss is the best question." She returned.
Simon smirked at her while his hand rested on the door knob and turned. A playful, teasing smile appeared over his lips while he opened it. Before he answered, she was hit with the frigid wind she’d spent the entire day avoiding. He hopped a few steps to the welcoming steam that rolled off the heated water. The first instinct she had was to recoil, but she quickly followed suit with him. Easing and melting into relaxation after he lowered himself in the water, he allowed the heat to take his tension away.
Tossing the towel on the ground, she stepped into the hot water and immediately covered herself to her neck. An involuntary shudder took hold of her body as her teeth chattered together, “I-I knew this was a bad idea.” She whispered.
The atmosphere made facing the facts about her much easier. She looked incredible across from him and he said the first thing that came to mind, “We should talk about you know.” He said.
She cupped her warmed hands over her cheeks only to visibly pause. Staring at him, she looked away for a second and didn’t know what to say. Instead she waited until he clarified what he meant; stalling.
Releasing a deep sigh, he was still confused and knew they shouldn’t approach the possibility, but he also didn’t want to face her rejection. Internally, he was fighting himself, “We’ve had something for a long time, haven’t we?” he asked.
She could feel Simon’s gaze locked on her while she rubbed her shoulders and finally looked in his direction. The moonlight against his skin made him look otherworldly. unable to run from it, mainly because she didn’t want to face the chill that lurked right outside the heated tub, Cherish sighed and rubbed her neck, “Specify what you mean. We’ve had a lot happen to both of us and I admit we do have a special bond. What do you mean a long time?” she asked.
To Simon, she sounded as though he’d imagined what he felt, or worse, his feelings were unrequited. His vulnerability bubbled forth, but he bucked up the nerve and continued to put how he felt on the table, “Really special. When we kissed it
