Did you say minus fifteen degrees?

Isabella

I checked the time one more time to make sure I wouldn't be late. I needed to leave the house in twenty minutes if I didn't want to miss my flight to Fairbanks, where Gwen and Zachary had been living in Alaska for the past few years.

Three years ago, when my friends decided to leave Missoula, where we lived at the time, I seriously considered asking for a sanity check, but hearing how well they, especially Danny, had adjusted to their new life, I felt they had made the right decision.

I always spoke to them and Danny by video call, but it wasn't the same as having them by my side. The last time I saw them was almost two years ago, when they decided to come to Miami when they found out about my move, and although they always invited me to visit them, this was the first time I could get time off for it.

I closed the last suitcase, being sure that I didn't have enough cold clothes to endure the winter in Alaska, I would have to buy some pieces there. With my bags in hand, I went to the garage of the small house I kept in Miami with my salary as a chef.

Before I could get my car out of the garage my cell phone started ringing, making me snort when I saw the number pop up on the screen.

" Cora…”

" Dempsey, we have a problem with the suppliers " she started, without even saying good morning.

" The suppliers? " I frowned as I put on my seatbelt.

" Yes, I need you to…”

Do you? I'm boarding in an hour! Has she gone mad?

" Cora, unless you end your sentence with ‘have a great time on your three-week vacation in Alaska’ I don't care! " I cut her off.

That was typical, not the slightest problem could arise that she expected me to solve.

" Izzy, you're the chef!”

" No, for the next three weeks Hugo Diaz is the chef, and I'll just be a tourist in the ice paradise " I corrected her.

Although I worked a lot and couldn't remember the last time I took a vacation, I wasn't the kind of person who was addicted to work, I just relied on a job that didn't give me much free time.

" But…”

" Cora, I'm leaving in an hour, I can't help you!”

I ended the call without bothering to wait for an answer. I couldn't deny that becoming a chef at Le Petit Cuisine had done wonders for my career, at the age of twenty-eight I had reached a position that many spent their lives striving for. 

But at times like this, I wondered if it was worth it. I often considered resigning and opening my own restaurant. 

Maybe even a small kiosk by the sea.

But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the short drive to Miami International Airport.

About half an hour later, I called Gwen, already waiting to board.

" Please, please, please. Tell me you haven't given up! " my friend's voice sounded anxious on the other end, making me laugh.

" 'I bet she's calling to tell me she's stuck at work and won't be able to make it,” Zachary scoffed.

I couldn't blame him for that comment as that was exactly what happened last summer when I had promised to spend a week with them. Gwen was so upset by my attitude that we spent a few weeks not speaking, but eventually we worked it out and I promised I would spend Christmas with the family. And I kept my promise.

" 'If you expected me to back out, you'll be disappointed, Monaghan. 'I'm leaving in twenty minutes,” I said.

The excitement on the other end of the line was palpable, making me smile.

" Ahhh I'm so happy, we've been missing you so much, especially Danny. He's so excited to see you.” 

" Me too. But you didn't give me your address, I need to get a cab.”

" We'll pick you up, don't worry. What time are you landing?” 

I thought about refusing that offer, but I would do the same for her. 

" I land at nine in the morning. How's the weather there? Here in Miami it's about sixty-two degrees and I'm afraid I don't have enough clothes," I sighed.

For a moment, silence was the only response I got, until Zachary spoke up.

" We'll get something for you. Are you still the same size?”

" Yes…”

" Then don't worry about it, we won't let you freeze. See you tomorrow, Izzy," Gwen assured me.

I'm about to set sail for Alaska in the middle of winter. It's official, I've lost my mind.

But I wasn't going back. I was going to spend Christmas with my family for a change. Or at least, the family I'd come to consider my own, since my own parents were more interested in their own lives.

The truth was that Zachary, Gwen and I were just misfits from dysfunctional homes who ended up coming together in high school and never separating again.

After all, despite the distance, the feeling and regard remained the same.

I hadn't realized how much I missed it until that phone call. The whole time I was awake on the flight, I caught myself caught up in the memories I struggled to leave behind, while wondering what awaited me in Alaska.

A million possibilities ran through my head until I landed, and none of them even came close to what awaited me. For starters, the sky was pretty dark when I landed, even though it was after nine in the morning, and after getting my bag and heading to the landing area, Gwen and Zachary were nowhere to be found.

I looked around mentally cursing, until a small sign with my name on it caught my eye.

The man holding it was tall, his hair was short and carefully swept back, his brown eyes were intense and I felt myself blush as his gaze locked onto mine and he came towards me.

It's okay, I can forgive those two for not welcoming me.

" Izzy? " an unusual accent was present in that stranger's voice.

My God, can it get any better?

" It's me…”

" Gustaf Bergqvist, I'm a friend of Zachary and Gwen, they had a little setback, so I offered to pick you up.”

He let go of the plate with one hand, extending it to me, I returned the gesture, watching my hand being totally swallowed by his.

Gustaf, an interesting name. I wonder what part of Europe he's from?

" I'm sorry they bothered you with that, if they had warned me I would have taken a cab,” I assured him.

"It was no bother, I assure you." His gaze never left mine, causing me to have a slight palpitation.

The trip was definitely worth it. 

That's when I realized that my hand was still between his, while I stared at him with an idiotic expression.

" Gwen warned me that you were coming from Miami and asked me to give you this.”

Gustaf seems to have noticed the same thing I did, as he quickly let go of my hand, bending down to pick up two large bags from the floor.

" You can go to the restroom and get dressed, I hope.”

When he says I can go get dressed, does he want me to change all my clothes in an airport restroom?

" Do I have to go to the restroom? Can't I just put the blouses here? " I grimaced.

" 'It depends, are you wearing anything under your pants? 

Gustaf measured me, making my face blush immediately. What kind of question is that?

" That sounded totally wrong " he closed his eyes for a moment, looking mortified " what I want to know is if you are wearing any second skin or tights, and if your boot is lined.

All right, looking at it that way it wasn't such an inconvenient question.

" These pants are thick and I'm wearing a simple boot and a sock, but I just have to hold on until I get to the car, right? What can happen? " I tried to avoid at all costs the possibility of changing in an airport toilet cubicle.

Gustaf appraised me with an unreadable expression before shrugging.

" 'It's your choice, the most that can happen is that you have to amputate your toes for facing a temperature of minus sixteen degrees Celsius dressed like that.

Did he say the temperature outside is minus sixteen degrees? Why didn't I convince them to go to Miami? 

" The restroom is in that direction," Gustaf pointed as he saw the shock on my face.

" 'Thank you,' I stammered, taking the bags from his hand.

It took me almost half an hour to get back to the place where Gustaf was patiently waiting for me, I could barely move through so many layers of clothes, but I must confess that I felt much better.

“Are you ready? “Gustaf got up from the bench where he was sitting, fiddling with his cell phone.

“'Yes, I hope I can keep my toes safe now,' I joked, receiving a small smile in response.

The two of us walked side by side towards the parking lot. As we left the airport, I watched the orange glow of the approaching sunrise, but my contemplation was soon interrupted when a cold gust hit me in the face. 

“Tell me, is it always like this? “I pulled the scarf I was wearing around my neck to cover part of my exposed face.

“'In winter the sun usually rises at about eleven in the morning and sets at about three in the afternoon “he didn't need any further explanation to understand what I was talking about.

I stopped walking, my eyes widening at the information.

“You're kidding! You mean you only have four hours of sunlight? “I stammered.

“'In winter, yes. “

I grimaced a little before I started walking again. 'I'm going to spend three weeks with almost no sun!

“'In Miami we get at least twelve hours a day,” I whined.

Gustaf reached an SUV, opening the trunk to put my luggage in.

“Things are a bit different here than in Miami," he warned me.

"If you didn't talk, I wouldn't notice any difference," I quipped.

Gustaf let out a small laugh, before opening the passenger-side door, indicating for me to get in.