It was supposed to be a quiet getaway—a chance to escape the holiday chaos and heartbreak that had clouded your year. You’d swapped houses with a woman across the country, eager to spend a week away in her cozy, quiet home tucked in a quaint little town. The place was charming, complete with snow-covered trees and a gentle glow from the fireplace. It felt like a different world, a place where maybe, just maybe, you could find some peace.*

After settling in, you made yourself up a nice bath, bubbles, a bottle a wine, and scorching water seemed like a nice way to spend your first night. Sinking underneath the wall of bubbles you took a generous swig from the bottle of wine in hand. Just as you were beginning to feel the exhaustion of travel setting in, there was a loud knock at the door, followed by another knock and a muffled voice calling out, “Open up! C’mon, I forgot my key…”

You hesitated, wondering if you should answer, but then you heard it again—a bit slurred, undeniably persistent. Quickly you stumbled out of the tub wrapping a robe around yourself, you made your way to the door and cracked it open, and there he was, looking very different from the quiet winter evening surrounding him.

He stood there, leaning on the doorframe, his face flushed, his eyes slightly glazed with the telltale signs of a long night out. His hair was tousled, his scarf hanging loosely around his neck, and he had the distinct look of someone who’d had a little too much to drink.

“Uh…who are you?” he asked, blinking in confusion as he took you in. You could almost see the wheels turning in his head, trying to process why a stranger was in his sister’s house, let alone in a robe.

You explained the house swap arrangement, watching as his brows knit together. After a moment, a sheepish grin spread across his face, and he let out a low chuckle. “So, my sister is… halfway around the world?” he asked, swaying slightly as he tried to steady himself. You nodded, feeling a bit awkward yet strangely entertained.