Page 14 of My Greatest Joy

But Ihateit and loathe being cold even more.

My apartment is set to seventy-five nearly year-round, and although Seattle doesn’t get super hot, it also doesn’t get super cold. It rains half the time, which means I’m often wearing layers anyway.

This weather, though?

My worst fucking nightmare.

Waking up on Levi’s couch, barely able to feel my fingers—even though I’m wearing gloves—has me groaning. Flashbacks of last night have me grinding my teeth with frustration. Levi suspects the furnace’s pilot light blew out, and with how my luck’s going, who knows if he can fix it.

The fireplace is down to its last log, so I begrudgingly stalk over and throw two more inside. As soon as I do, ash blows in my face, and I cough.

Of fucking course.

I wipe my eyes and cheeks, then wrap a blanket around me before going to the bathroom.

Once I’m done, I stare at my reflection in the mirror and wince. I need a hot shower, an avocado breakfast bowl, and a gallon of coffee.

I splash water on my face and brush my teeth. A rush of cool air seeps in through the vent, and I shiver. Last night, the wind howled against the windows, and I felt like I was sleeping outside. No way can I stay upstairs if there’s a repeat of that. Although the couch wasn’t uncomfortable, being cold and in a new place made it hard to fall into a deep sleep. Every little sound woke me, and I constantly had to remind myself where I was.

Once I rewrap myself in the blanket, I go downstairs but stop when I notice Dasher took my spot on the couch.

“Where the hell did you come from?” I walk closer and point at the floor. “Off.”

He stares at me as if he’s already bored with this conversation.

“Dasher. Off the couch. Now,” I say in a deeper voice to mimic Levi’s.

He doesn’t move.

“C’mon, let’s go…” I pull on his collar to show him what I want, but he still doesn’t budge.

“Dasher, I’m serious. I was lying there. You can sit on the rug.” I reach for his collar again, but he licks my hand instead.

I sigh with exhaustion because I wanted one more hour of sleep now that it’s comfortable in here.

“Go.” I wave my hand. “Outside? Want a treat? How about a nice long walk?” I ramble off as many trigger words as I can think of, but he’s cemented in place.

“I think you’re more stubborn than me,” I mutter, crossing my arms.

“Doubtful,” Levi says, chuckling.

“Jesus Christ.” I jump, clenching a hand to my chest.

“Good morning,” he singsongs.

“Trust me, it’s not.”

The corner of his lips tilts up, and it’s then I realize he’s shirtless and only wearing black boxer briefs. Is that what he had on last night?

How the hell is he not freezing his nuts off right now?

“A little help here?” I point at Dasher. “He won’t listen.”

Levi snaps his fingers. “Dasher, down.”

He immediately obeys and wags his tail as he follows Levi to the kitchen.

“Seriously?” I throw out my arms, then ask, “Hey, any chance we’ll get some heat today?”

---