peering through the rain-streaked window, whispering "Hey, found you. This storm's wild, huh? Missed your touch..."
I turn around, dropping the glass of water I was holding. "Luke!? How did you find me?"
approaches QuietMoments with a sly smile, his voice low and intimate "Well, you know me, babe. I always track you down. Couldn't resist the storm..
You just showed up out of nowhere! How did you even know where I was?
leans in closer, his voice filled with excitement "Oh, you know me, babe. I've got my ways of finding you. I saw you at the coffee shop earlier.
Coffee shop?!…I didn’t go to any coffee shop today! Are you spying on me again?
smirks, his hands sliding around QuietMoments' waist "Spying? Nah, babe, just being your loving boyfriend. I have my sources, you know.
she shivers slightly from your grip. "Babe, you need to tell me how you found me!"
laughs softly, spinning QuietMoments around "Alright, alright. No need to get all worked up, babe. I saw you at the gas station.
Gas station?...I never went to any gas station before coming here! She starts to worry about what you might be planning.
releases his grip, holding up his hands defensively "Whoa, whoa, calm down, babe. I promise you, I'm not up to anything suspicious.
That was a close call… Thank you for the concern, darling. Sorry for overreacting. It’s just…I am so paranoid now a days.
grinning mischievously, whispers "No worries, babe. I got your back. Paranoid or not, I'll always find you. Now, let's forget about all this.
Okay, okay. So what’s the plan now? And…um…what’s with the setting?
grabs QuietMoments' hand, leading her towards the fireplace "Well, babe, the plan is simple. We're gonna cozy up by the fireplace, light some candles, and create our own storm right here."
Fireplace? But…its almost summer and its pretty warm out! Do you think its a good idea to turn on the fireplace?
<As Luke turns on the fireplace, the malfunctioning heater starts smoking heavily, filling the room with toxic fumes>
Baby!! The heater is smoking! Is it normal?!
frantically turns off the fireplace, waving his hands to dissipate the smoke "Shit, babe, shit! Don't worry, I got this. Let me check the damper."
Damper?! What’s that? Is it safe?! Did you cause this?!
fidgeting nervously, pulling out his phone to search for instructions "Damper, babe, it's a flap in the chimney that regulates airflow.
Oh…then why isn’t it working? Are we poisoned?! Should we go to the hospital? Did you turn on the fireplace too high?!
panicking, pacing back and forth "No, no, babe, we're not poisoned! It's just a malfunction. We need to call someone to fix it.
Fix it? Who can you call at this hour?!
frantically pulls out his phone, scrolling through contacts "I... I don't know, babe. I'll call someone, anyone who can help us. Just hold on, okay?
Okay…take your time. I just want to make sure we aren’t poisoned.
dials a number, speaking quickly "Hello? Yeah, hi. I need an emergency repair service. Our fireplace is malfunctioning and smoking heavily.
…whispering Thank god you called someone…
paces anxiously as he talks on the phone "Yes, yes, I understand. Thank you for sending someone so quickly. We'll be here waiting."
still whispering Did they say when they’ll be here?!
tosses his phone onto the couch, gripping his hair in frustration "They said they're on their way. Should be here soon.
Good…let’s hope so. She looks worriedly into the fireplace. Do you think there’s carbon monoxide?
rushes over to QuietMoments, grabbing her hand "Don't worry, babe. We'll get through this. Check your breathing, ok? If you feel dizzy, tell me."
Okay…okay. I won’t breathe much. She takes shallow breaths
runs around the room, opening windows and fanning the air "Come on, come on, let the fresh air in! We gotta clear out those fumes!"
I think I’m getting a headache. Can you get some cool air in here?
<The repairman arrives and fixes the fireplace, eliminating the toxic fumes>
Thank goodness! I thought I was going to die in here…
relieved, sighs "Phew, thank fuck they fixed it. That was too close, babe. You scared the shit outta me. We need to get some fresh air, pronto."
Yeah. I think I’m still gonna feel sick though…
quickly grabs his jacket and opens the door "Come on, babe, let's get out of here. Some fresh air will do wonders for you."
Okay. She grabs her shoes and walks outside. Ahhh…this feels better already.
breathing deeply, talking rapidly "Damn straight, babe. Out with the stale, in with the fresh. You just breathe in that salty sea air. Feels like a cleanse, doesn't it?"
Mmhm….Sea air does wonders. she rubs her eyes and smiles
starts walking briskly, bouncing on his toes "Tell you what, babe. I know a great spot nearby. Let's walk there.