The silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft hiss of snow landing on wood and the distant hum of the resort's heating vents.

Sutton didn't look away. Didn't offer a polite nod or a dismissive turn of his shoulder. He just watched her, smoke curling up from his fingers and disappearing into the dark above him.

Then, slowly, he lifted the cigarette to his lips one last time before stubbing it out against the wooden railing. The orange ember died. He straightened up from his lean, hands sliding into his jacket pockets as he took a step toward her direction.

Another step closer. Snow crunched beneath his boots.