The Night We Met
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
35: Chris
Overview
At the snowed-in cabin, Chris struggles with jealousy over Larissa and regrets bringing Heather. He avoids intimacy, fixates on Larissa’s wellbeing, and mourns a missed safe-meal stop. Xavier confronts him, and Chris admits long-standing feelings for Larissa. Xavier warns a relationship would devastate Mike, urging Chris to create distance.
Summary
Chris arrives at the cabin with Larissa and his date, Heather, immediately confronted by Mike’s affection for Larissa. He masks his turmoil, regrets bringing Heather, and worries about Larissa being sick but feels unable to check on her with everyone present.
He gives Heather a perfunctory tour and dodges intimacy, revealing his failed plan to use this trip to move on. Outside, he shovels snow with Jesse, Mike, and Xavier, pushing himself to exhaustion. Larissa offers hot chocolate; Chris declines and averts his eyes from Mike and Larissa’s affection.
Chris fixates on a missed restaurant stop he had carefully vetted for Larissa’s allergy, feeling the loss of one of the few overt ways he could care for her. Samantha redirects the shoveling to the firepit path, and the group splits up.
Xavier notices Chris’s behavior and confronts him privately. Pressed, Chris admits he has long-standing feelings for Larissa but believes she doesn’t reciprocate. Xavier warns that pursuing her can never be acceptable, regardless of Mike and Larissa’s status, because it would devastate Mike.
Chris accepts the warning, recognizing the stakes and his responsibility. Xavier advises him to limit contact, even with the shared dog, to prevent deeper entanglement. Chris acknowledges it will only get harder, foreshadowing continued inner conflict.
Who Appears
- ChrisNarrator; tormented by love for Larissa, regrets bringing Heather, and admits feelings to Xavier.
- Xavier (Z)Perceptive friend who confronts Chris, warns a relationship with Larissa would destroy Mike.
- LarissaArrives sick; her presence intensifies Chris’s feelings. Offers hot drinks; with Mike at the cabin.
- MikeAffectionate with Larissa at arrival; shovels with the guys; central to the loyalty conflict.
- HeatherChris’s new date; seeks intimacy, rebuffed as Chris remains emotionally unavailable.
- JesseHelps shovel and splits off to clear the firepit path with Mike.
- BeccaGreets guests, diverts Heather to drinks, keeps social flow moving.
- SamanthaRequests walkway cleared for a bonfire, prompting the group to split tasks.
- WoofarineDog dashes into the cabin, shared by Chris and Larissa, complicating separation.