A Storm Is Coming

Sophia’s Pov

Three days had passed since Mason and I argued in my apartment.

Although we had spoken several times since then, neither of us had mentioned the conversation. That was how we usually handled disagreements. We would both pretend everything was fine until enough time had passed for the tension to disappear on its own.

Unfortunately, pretending only worked for so long.

I sat at my desk, staring at the colorful slides displayed across my computer screen while my coworkers celebrated the successful presentation I had delivered earlier that week.

“You’ve been smiling at that email for the last five minutes.”

I looked up to find my best friend and coworker, Emma Lawson, leaning against the edge of my desk with two cups of coffee in her hands.

“So are you going to tell me why our boss just announced that you’re representing the company at the Winter Hearts Charity Gala this weekend?”

I finally smiled. “I was hoping it would stay quiet for at least another hour.”

Emma gasped dramatically. “You were chosen over the senior account managers. Do you realize how huge this is?”

“I think I’m starting to.”

The Winter Hearts Charity Gala was one of the biggest fundraising events in the state. Every year, major companies, celebrities, professional athletes, and wealthy donors gathered at a luxury mountain resort to raise money for children’s hospitals and youth programs.

For someone working in marketing, attending the event wasn’t just exciting. It was an opportunity. The kind that could change a career. Our company had sponsored the event for years, but this would be the first time I represented the agency on my own instead of simply assisting someone else.

“I still can’t believe Mr. Reynolds picked me.”

“He also had plenty of people who don’t work half as hard as you.”

I looked down at my coffee. “I’ve wanted this promotion for so long.”

“And this could be exactly what gets you there.”

For the first time in months, I felt like my life was finally moving forward.

My phone vibrated across the desk. Mason. Emma noticed immediately, and I smiled before accepting the call.

“Hi.”

“Where are you?”

“At work.”

“I heard about the charity gala.” News traveled fast. “I don’t want you driving. The weather forecast changed, they’re expecting one of the biggest snowstorms of the season.”

“The event organizers already sent travel guidelines. They said to leave earlier.”

“So leave next week.”

“Mason, I’ve been invited to represent the company.”

“I’m proud of you. But I could drive you.”

I laughed in disbelief. “It’s a four-hour trip. You have a game Saturday.”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“I am not making you miss practice just to babysit me.”

He sighed. “I don’t like this. I have a bad feeling. I don’t want anything happening to you.”

My irritation faded just enough for guilt to settle in. “I’ll call you when I get there. I promise.”

“And every night. And when you leave.”

“You’re negotiating now?”

“I learned from the best.”

I smiled despite myself. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Drive carefully.”

The call finally ended. Emma looked at me knowingly. “Still thinks you’re sixteen?”

“On a good day.”

She squeezed my hand. “One day he’ll realize you’re an adult.”

“I hope it’s before I’m forty.”

********************

The next morning arrived colder than expected. Dark clouds covered the sky before the sun had fully risen, and the weather reports grew more concerning with every passing hour. Still, the roads remained open. That was all I needed to know.

I loaded my suitcase into the trunk of my car before taking one final look at my apartment building. This weekend was supposed to be about my future. About proving I could stand on my own, not proving Mason right.

My phone buzzed. Mason: Call me before you leave.

I smiled, and instead of calling, sent him a picture of my packed car. I’m leaving now. Don’t worry.

Three dots appeared instantly. Call me.

I laughed quietly and pressed the call button. “You couldn’t just accept the picture?”

“No.”

“I’ll be fine. If the roads get bad, I’ll stop. If visibility drops, I’ll stop. If the weather gets worse, I’ll stop.”

He was quiet for a second. “You memorized my speech.”

“I’ve been listening to it my whole life.”

He chuckled softly. “I love you. Please be careful.”

“I will.” This time, I really meant it.

I ended the call and climbed into my car.

The first two hours of the drive were peaceful. The highway stretched endlessly ahead while soft music played through the speakers, and I actually found myself enjoying the quiet, no phone calls, meetings, responsibilities. Just me. Exactly what I had wanted.

The snow began falling so lightly that I barely noticed it at first. Within twenty minutes, tiny flakes became thick curtains of white. The sky darkened. The temperature dropped. Cars around me slowed considerably. My hands tightened around the steering wheel.

The radio interrupted the music with an emergency weather bulletin: a severe winter storm warning had been issued for all mountain regions, and travelers were advised to seek shelter immediately. Several roads could become inaccessible within hours.

The resort was still nearly forty-five minutes away. I considered turning around, but traffic behind me had nearly disappeared. Moving forward seemed just as reasonable as going back.

“I can do this.”

Another ten minutes passed. The snowfall doubled. Wind slammed against my car so hard that I instinctively slowed further. Visibility dropped to only a few yards. Headlights became blurred shapes moving through endless white.

My confidence disappeared. “This was a terrible idea.”

I spotted a small roadside café ahead and pulled into the parking lot. Inside, nearly every table was occupied by stranded travelers watching weather updates on a television mounted above the counter.

The waitress greeted me with an apologetic smile. “The highway’s getting worse. They’re saying the mountain road might close soon.”

My stomach dropped. “Is there another route?”

“Not unless you want to drive three extra hours.”

Wonderful.

I pulled out my phone,  one bar of service, and called the charity coordinator.

“Sophia, where are you?”

“I stopped about forty minutes from the resort.”

“You need to keep moving if you can. If you leave now, you should still make it before they close everything.”

That was enough. I thanked her, finished my coffee in three quick sips, and hurried back outside.

The storm had become even stronger. By the time I reached my car, snow had already begun collecting across the windshield.

The drive that followed was the most difficult of my life. Every mile demanded complete concentration. Every gust of wind pushed against the car. Every passing minute made me question whether Mason had been right all along.

Finally, after what felt like hours, a large wooden sign appeared through the snowfall.

Pine Ridge Mountain Lodge

Relief washed over me. I pulled into the parking lot alongside dozens of other vehicles before climbing out into the freezing wind. The moment I stepped inside, warmth surrounded me. A roaring fireplace filled the lobby while travelers crowded every available chair.

The receptionist looked exhausted. “I’m sorry,” she said before I could speak. “The roads have officially been closed. For at least tonight.”

My heart sank. “So nobody can leave?”

“I’m afraid not.”

I took a slow breath. “So I guess I’m staying.”

“You and everyone else.”

She handed me a room key. As I picked up my suitcase and turned toward the staircase, the front doors suddenly swung open behind me. A blast of freezing wind swept through the lobby. Everyone looked up.

A tall man stepped inside, brushing snow from his coat. Even before he removed his hat, I knew exactly who it was.

Noah Steele.

Our eyes met across the crowded room. His expression mirrored my own disbelief.

“Oh,” I muttered under my breath.

“You have got to be kidding me.”