The storm from earlier in the week had completely cleared, leaving behind a crisp, cool night sky that was perfect for their outdoor patio. Tucked into the privacy of the back deck was the house’s best feature—a deep, built-in hot tub that they hadn’t had the chance to test out until tonight. Paris stood inside the sliding glass door, looking at her reflection. She had pulled her hair up into a high, secure knot and wore a new emerald-green bikini. Taking a deep breath of the cool night air, she pushed the screen door open. A thick cloud of white steam rose from the bubbling water, catching the soft glow of the string lights Adam had hung along the wooden railing. Adam was already inside, buried up to his chest in the churning water. He had his laptop carefully balanced on a heavy plastic crate just far enough from the edge to stay dry, the familiar red Netflix logo illuminating his face. When he heard the door slide open, his eyes shifted over to her. He froze for a second, his gaze lingering as she walked across the cool wooden deck. A slow, appreciative grin spread across his face. "Wow," Adam said, his voice dropping a register over the sound of the rushing jets. "Suddenly, I don't care what movie we watch." Paris felt a sudden blush hit her cheeks, smiling as she gripped the edge of the tub. "Shut up and make room. It’s freezing out here." She slid into the water, letting out a long, contented sigh as the intense heat instantly hit her skin. The contrast between the chilly night air and the bubbling warmth of the water was perfect. She moved through the bubbles until she was sitting right next to him on the bench, her shoulder brushing against his arm. Without hesitation, Adam shifted closer, throwing one arm over the back edge of the tub to wrap around her shoulders, pulling her side against his. "Better?" he asked, his thumb tracing a light circle on her bare shoulder. "Incredible," Paris murmured, leaning her head back against his chest. She looked over at the screen, which was currently showing a menu of old romantic comedies and action films. "So, what are we watching?" "Whatever you want," Adam whispered, kissing the top of her wet hair. "As long as we don't have to move for the next two hours." They picked a movie they had both seen a hundred times before, letting the dialogue play in the background while they talked in low, quiet voices. The heat of the water, the dark sky above, and the steady weight of Adam’s arm around her made the rest of the world feel miles away. It was their first real moment of pure relaxation since buying the house, completely content to just sit in the steam and watch the stars.

Stars and Steam