Cozy • An Embry Story

.18

Winnie's POV

"You look so pretty," The way Embry smiles down at me immediately makes my stomach flip. He leans against the side of my cabin with his arms crossed, smiling at me when I come out.

"Thank you," I try to keep busy with my keys to lock my door so he doesn't see how red he gets me. We're not even ten minutes in our date and he already has me flustered. Since I get my car back tomorrow, last night Embry insisted to have a date for today over the phone.

"But is it warm?" Embry asks, gesturing to my skirt and sheer tights. We each look like we're dressed for two separate evenings. I'm wearing a white pleated skirt, the only thing to keep me warm is a green sweater. While Embry is tight in layers, his muscles looking bigger from all the extra layers of clothing as if he moves the wrong way the seams will rip. A gray hoodie peaks out from under a Sherpa jacket, with a gray beanie pulled over his ears.

"It's warmish," It's still mid September. Though it's that time of year where the nights are chilling over.

"It's probably not warm enough." Embry comes up the front steps to give me a worried look. "I hate to say this, but you should change into something warmer."

"Warmer for what exactly?" I ask skeptically. He hasn't told me any details for tonight, just that he was going to pick me up at sunset. He only gives me a sly grin and shakes his head. "If you're willing to wait, then I'll go change."

"I'm happy to wait, Winnie." Embry nods, dropping down on the steps to sit. Telling him I'll be right back, I go back in to change. When I come back out, I'm in my warmest outfit that won't weigh me or sweat through. A pair of black leggings, a white turtleneck under a thick navy blue cardigan Enola knitted for me that's the equivalent of being swaddled in a blanket. I had a feeling Embry wouldn't be satisfied with just this so I added a matching blue beanie, and thick white socks.

"Ready," I lock my door again. The wood creaks under Embry's feet as he straightens up. Just when I think he might try to say something flirty, he gives me a knotted look.

"Do you have gloves or a scarf?"

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"So, where is this?" I ask Embry as he reverses into an empty field. After a few mountains, we're miles deep into the res. So deep there's no roads, just dirt paths and trees.

"Well since I can't go all the way out to Port Angels or get a day off, I brought you to my favorite spot on the res." Embry explains, getting out.

"Which is the middle of nowhere?" I ask, following him out. It's an empty clearing, with big red cedar trees and wildflowers on the perimeter. The usual nerves aren't there, the underlying double guessing about whether or not this is real or not. I'm at ease, knowing fully I can trust Embry.

"I come out here a lot. Whenever I need a break or a minute to be alone with my thoughts I'll come out here." Embry states, unloading his van. Just as I'm about to inquire about why he wonders alone into the woods, the sound of a match hisses, then a crackle. There's a glimpse of light before it drops to the ground and doubles in size in a bonfire.

Embry finishes setting up, opening the doors as wide as they will go. With a click, the back floods with light. String lights the shape of stars hang from the ceiling, their dim glow showing a rug laid down with bean bag chairs and a bag of marshmallows.

"I know I promised you a movie Winnie, but how about s'mores and star gazing instead?" Embry waits for my reaction, giving me a sheepish grin.