Heidi is so ready for a lonely weekend trip.
All she wants is to recharge her batteries at her friend’s empty cottage on the lake.
But when she walks in the door…
There’s a hot guy with sun-kissed hair sitting on the couch with an iPad.
Heidi
Who are you and what are you doing in my cottage?
Guy
I hate to tell you, but I have a key, just like you.
He grins adorably, dangling it in the air.
Heidi
Okay fine. But who ARE you?
Guy
My name’s Carl. I’m Antonio’s friend.
Carl
He gave me a key so I could design some floor plans up here this weekend.
Carl
Not that I’ve been getting any work done.
Carl
I was kayaking and fishing before the rain clouds chased me inside.
He smiles again, but Heidi just stares at him.
Carl
Aren’t you going to tell me who you are now?
Heidi
I’m Heidi, Tara’s friend.
Heidi
And it sounds like she didn’t check in with her brother about lending out their cottage.
The sound is so sexy that Heidi’s belly somersaults.
The rain starts pouring outside and Heidi’s shoulders slump.
She can’t make the 3-hour drive back home in the storm.
She sighs. Carl is getting cuter every second.
How is she supposed to recharge her batteries with him around?
When she catches him running a slow look from her head to her boots…
And giddy shiver tumbles through her.
Heidi
I’m…uh…just going to hole up in a bedroom with some work until this storm blows over.
Heidi
Then I’ll hit the road.
Heidi
No offense, but I'd prefer not to stay here overnight with a total stranger.
Carl
Understood, but I’m not going to make you to leave—
Carl
I’LL leave after the storm passes.
Heidi
I can’t make you do that. You got here first.
Carl
No, I insist on going.
Heidi feels her defenses melt.
This guy is so polite and kind.
And sure, her heart got broken a few months ago…
But maybe she can finally let it out of the little lock box she put it in.
Carl smiles again and then goes back to his iPad.
So Heidi takes her bags into the bedroom and texts Tara.
Heidi
Hey. There’s a guy named Carl here?
Heidi
He says your brother gave him a key?
Tara
OMG, CARL IS THERE??
Tara
Girl, if I didn’t have a BF, I’d gush about how hot Carl is 🔥🔥🔥
Heidi thinks about Carl’s thick hair, his laughing eyes, his cute smile…
Heidi
He’ll be leaving after the rain stops.
Tara
Okay, good! That means you have time to hang out with him!
Tara
You working like a fiend instead?
Tara
Wasting away the best years of your life?
Tara
Can’t you at least give fun a chance?
Heidi
I’ve got to get back to my dissertation.
For 30 hollow minutes, Heidi forgets about the temptation named Carl outside the bedroom.
But then she hears pots clanging around.
Hmm. She opens her door to find Carl cooking.
With every move he makes, the muscles in his broad back ripple beneath his t-shirt.
Carl glances over his shoulder and grins.
Carl
Have you ever gone to a fish fry?
Carl
Great! We’ll have our own.
Carl
I’m about to fry up my catch of the day.
Heidi
Oh. Well, I’ve got work to do, so…
Carl
Just keep in mind that it’s hard to get anything done on an empty stomach.
Carl grins again, but Heidi turns away.
Shaking her head, she returns to the room.
But she’s always wanted to try a fish fry…
Heidi hears the sound of a scary movie from the TV outside her door.
Oh, man, she used to love scary movies when she had time to watch them.
Maybe she’ll just see what’s playing…
Carl flashes her another grin when she walks into the living room.
Heidi
Correct me if I’m wrong…
Heidi
But didn’t you come here to design a floor plan?
Carl
Yeah, but I’m letting off a little steam right now.
Heidi
I’m beginning to suspect you’re a procrastinator, Carl.
Carl
If that’s what you call relaxing in a lakeside cottage, then, yup — guilty!
Heidi gives both the movie and Carl a longing glance.
Then she starts to turn around.
Carl
Heidi, can I make a confession?
Carl
Tara texted me and told me you’ve been working too hard.
Carl
She asked me to make sure you had fun, so I’ve been trying my hardest.
Heidi
Let me get this straight…
Heidi
You’ve been luring me out of my room this whole time?
Heidi’s heart bangs around in its box.
Carl looks into her eyes for a few more pounding seconds.
But then she remembers how she was hurt a few months ago.
She starts to leave again.
When Carl speaks, he sounds disappointed.
Carl
Don’t worry about the noise—
Carl
I’ll shut off the movie so you can work in peace.
Carl
And I’ll be out of here altogether after the rain stops.
She’d almost forgotten about that.
If he’s leaving anyway, why not just take a short breather now?
She can get back to work after he’s gone, right?
Heidi
I suppose I do need a break.
She sees his grin out of the corner of her eye, and her pulse hammers.
Heidi
By the way, Tara is SO in trouble for getting you to interrupt me.
Carl
Aw, don’t get on her case.
Carl
I take full responsibility for my actions.
Carl
Tara knew that I never turn down a challenge.
Carl
So that’s why I vowed I’d get you out of your room.
So she’s a challenge to him, huh?
Heidi holds back a smile.
Heidi
And here I thought you were only procrastinating.
Carl
Whoa, don’t knock procrastination — it’s how I get my work done.
Carl
I need time away from the desk to gather my thoughts.
Carl
Then when I get back to it, I’m ready to go.
Carl
YOU should try taking more breathers, Heidi.
Carl
You might like them.
Carl shifts, and his arm brushes hers.
And the box around Heidi’s heart starts falling apart.
Heidi
Maybe you’re right—
Heidi
Maybe this cottage WASN’T the place to bury myself in work.
Heidi
I really did need more rest and relaxation.
Heidi
Even more than it seems.
Heidi
Tara tells me that I have no life outside of grad school.
Carl
Okay. So you need R&R because you’re stressed out.
Carl
That sounds like a good enough reason to take it easy here.
Carl
Don’t beat yourself up about it.
But Heidi lowers her defenses even more.
Heidi
Well, there’s another, bigger reason I’ve disappeared into my work.
Heidi
A few months ago, I got crushed by my ex.
Heidi
Ever since then, I’ve found a million excuses to avoid people.
Carl’s gaze softens, and he puts his hand on hers.
It’s warm, and warms Heidi’s whole body up.
Carl
Then I’m really glad you decided not to avoid me, Heidi.
Carl
Now how about that fish fry?
While chowing down on fish, French fries, and beer…
Heidi and Carl finish watching the scary movie.
Then they build a fire and chat for hours.
And they don’t talk about work even once.
When the rain finally stops, they’re still on the couch taking that breather.
Carl gazes at Heidi for such a long time that she burns.
Carl
It looks like it’s time for me to go.
Carl
You know, since the storm passed.
He starts to stand up, but Heidi grabs his arm.
There’s hope in his breathtaking blue eyes.
And it makes her heart breaks out of its box altogether.
It thumps so loudly that the sound seems to fill the room.
Heidi
Extend this breather even longer?
He’s so close that she can feel the heat from his skin.
And then he gently cups Heidi’s face in his hands and kisses her.
A flash of lightening courses through her body.
It illuminates every part of her until she sizzles.
When the kiss ends, Carl tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Carl
I was dying to get you out of that room, Heidi—
Carl
And not just because Tara told me about your heartbreak.
Carl
Not just she said you’d be a challenge.
Carl
The minute I saw you, I knew that I would do anything to spend more time with you…
Carl
And I was willing to do anything to make that happen.
Carl
So yeah, we can extend this breather.
Carl
We can do anything you’d like.
Overcome, Heidi pulls Carl in for another thunderous kiss.
And as the night goes on, they stay on that couch.
Finding each other instead of getting away.
