The metal door flung open.

“Max!”

Her eyes darted to the open door frame and watered when she saw his panicked face. She barely recognized him with his black coat and the snow storm blowing fiercely, concealing his silhouette. It’s the red scarf that gave him away. “Nathan,” she whispered on the brink of tears.

Max gathered all her remaining strength. She ran.

“Keep the door open!” she yelled.

Max dived inside, right into his open arms. She heard the door close shut behind her and suddenly the noiseless peace of the interior. She exhaled a breath and closed her eyes.

Warmth came back to her bones. It burned the ice away, melting the freezing sensation she was still kept under as her body was pressed against him. She was shivering, nested inside his toasty wool coat. It was like hugging a soft hot-water bag, the likes of which her grandmother would put inside her bed to keep it warm in the winter. The idea made her smile. Except this portable heater had a heartbeat, she could hear it running a bit faster than it normally would.

“Are you okay?” Nathan asked, worry coating his words.

“I am now,” she breathed, nuzzling the fabric of his suit.

God he smells good.