The Two of Us (Love in Isolation 1)

“You are so wrong,” I say. “So, so wrong.”

She shrugs. “They need to just bang it out, fall in love, and get married so she can be my sister already. I’ve got it all planned out, and now you’ve helped.”

The weekend quickly comes, and on Sunday, I’m waking to a phone call from Ryan.

“Dude, I think we’re stranded here,” he says.

I sit up in bed and look outside to see everything is coated in white. Last night when Cami and I were watching the news, an arctic blast was mentioned, but I didn’t think anything of it. Upstate probably got it even worse than the city.

“There’s no alternative ways out?” I ask, knowing there’s only a single highway that leads to and from the cabin.

“No, the main road is snowed over. It’s so bad they won’t be able to get the plows out for a few days, and apparently, the news said they expect more snow to come. I had to take a few emergency vacation days from work. We got twenty inches so far, and it’s still coming down. The wind is brutal, so it’s just fucking blowing everywhere. Even if the roads were open, I wouldn’t be able to see shit.”

“Holy fuck. Man, I’m sorry. I didn’t think it’d be that bad.” I brush a hand through my hair, pushing it back off my face.

Cami rolls over and looks at me. She sits up and grabs her phone, noticing it’s six in the morning and then gives me an annoyed look that we’re up this early on the weekend. I mouth her brother’s name, and she perks up.

“If you need anything, let me know, okay? I’ll try my best to help you out.”

Ryan lets out a huff. “Thanks. I just wanted to let you two know so you don’t get worried about us. Hopefully, we don’t lose power. With my luck, an ice storm would make its way here too.”

“God, let’s hope not. Well, I appreciate the update. Take care of yourself and Kendall,” I tell him.

“Yeah, she’s a fucking trip.” He groans, and I hold back my laughter.

“Good luck,” I say before we end the call.

Cami looks at me as I lower my phone. “So!”

“There’s a huge blizzard in Roxbury, and they’re stranded at the cabin until the snow lets up. Apparently, it’s worse up there, so it might for a while, depending on when the roads clear,” I tell her.

“Yes!” She claps her hands. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?” I ask, tilting my head and watching her excitement.

“That the cabin is lucky and helps people fall in love.” She comes closer and wraps her arms around me.

“You think so, huh?” I ask as we exchange a heated kiss.

“I know so,” she says matter-of-factly. “Look at us. How else do you explain what happened?”

I smirk at her happiness. She does have a point.

CAMERON

6 MONTHS LATER

Eli and I have been married for six months, and it’s been pure bliss. I can’t imagine my life without him, and every day, I’m thankful for what we’ve been through to get where we are today. He’s my best friend, biggest supporter, the voice of reason, and the love of my life. I honestly don’t remember how I survived without him. While the circumstances that brought us together were awful, we were able to find love in the midst of it.

Our wedding ceremony was beautiful, and while my parents wanted it to be an elitist event, I refused and planned it my way instead. We got married in front of close friends and family only. I made them all promise not to leak any of the wedding details to the media because the last thing we need to deal with is the paparazzi following us all day. I got so spoiled living in the country that when I returned to the city, it was a wake-up call for Eli and me. But just as he promised, none of it affected our relationship. If anything, it brought us closer. Honestly, I love seeing the printed pictures of us together because it’s proof to everyone that he’s mine. It also doesn’t hurt that my exes saw too. Eli doesn’t care for the attention and has even come up with creative ways for us to escape without being seen. I have yet to sneak out in a suitcase, though. The thought makes me giggle because who knows, maybe someday I actually will.

I roll over and see the early morning light peeking through the windows, but the side of the bed is empty. Reaching over, I feel the sheets, and they’re cold, which means Eli must be up working. He got promoted in his company and now works mostly from home unless he’s doing showings or meeting with clients over drinks. He’s worked so hard for it, and I’m so incredibly proud of him.