I'm not expecting Derek to drape his coat over me again before we start walking, but I don't protest. Maybe it's a little too indulgent, but wearing Derek's coat is a little bit like having his arms around me and I like that. I don't want to let go just yet.

"It really was amazing," I tell him, glancing over as head out of the woods, snow and twigs crunching under our feet. "Sorta helped, uh... clear my head, you know? I'm-- I didn't tell you, but Simon and I sorta broke up right before Christmas. I'm honestly not really sure we were dating to begin with, we certainly weren't exclusive, but he's already seeing his ex-roommate who's a real jerk and, as stupid as I know it is, I've been feeling pretty low about that. And New Year's Eve was a catastrophe in so many ways and I've never been so homesick in all my life. It's... it's been a lot lately. So being out here with you, doing this was... it was really incredible. I don't think I could thank you enough."