“Well?” Nicole raised a brow. “What happened?”
Gracie just sighed and shook her head. “I’ll tell you later, but I was right.”
“He’s not interested?”
“Actually, worse.” She gave a humorless smile. “I just went from have a crush to…being crushed.”
“What?”
“Come on, let’s go do New Year’s Eve at the lodge.”
Nicole’s eyes shuttered. “Can I pass? I don’t feel?—”
“No.” MJ stuck her head between them, giving a hard look to Nicole. “You have to be there. Have to. It’s going to be a big night.”
Nicole sighed and looked at Gracie. “We’ll just be sad together in the corner, okay?”
Gracie gave a dry laugh. “Sounds like fun.”
And exactly what she needed tonight.
Night had nearly descended when Nicole made her way to the far end of the Canine Canyon parking lot. Snowflakes swirled around lights like glitter shaken from the sky, falling heavier every minute. The cold air bit her cheeks as she hurried across the slick asphalt, her boots crunching over patches of ice.
The sounds and images of the dog talent show lingered in her ears—kids laughing, dogs barking, Benny’s triumphant cheer echoing in the background. It had been quite the event and a great distraction from the hollow ache in her chest.
But now she had to go get ready for Aunt MJ’s New Year’s Eve party and all she wanted to do was climb in bed and cry.
How had it all come crashing down so quickly?
Just a few hours ago, she’d been falling for Cameron Hale—hard and fast—while bonding with Elise, his amazing, vibrant sister. But then came the fight, his words sharp and cutting, leaving her to wish she’d stayed away.
As she blinked away tears, she noticed a man standing by her car, and a dark gray truck with the lights on and exhaust coming from the back parked next to him.
Not any man.Herman.
She sucked in a lungful of frigid air. He looked so solid, so heartbreakingly handsome under the halo of the parking lot light, snowflakes collecting in his dark hair.
Her heart thudded painfully.Don’t hope. Don’t hope,she told herself, but it was too late.
Cameron lifted his head, his blue eyes locking on hers. He looked nervous—almost vulnerable. The sight of him like that twisted something deep inside her.
“Nicole.” His voice was soft, carried by the wind. “Can we talk?”
Her feet felt glued to the icy ground, but somehow she made herself move closer. Every step was filled with uncertainty.
“I…yeah. I guess we can talk.” Her tone was cautious, but her chest ached to throw her arms around him.
He gestured to his truck. “It’s freezing. Come sit in my truck, it’s warm.”
Nicole hesitated, then nodded, climbing into the passenger seat when he held open the door.
The warmth was welcome as she inhaled the familiar scent of snow equipment and faint traces of pine.
Cameron got in the driver’s side and shut the door behind him. For a heartbeat, they just sat there, staring at each other.
Finally, he reached for her hand. His was warm and strong, trembling slightly. “Nicole, I need to say this right, so please…just let me get it out.”
She swallowed hard and nodded, her throat too tight for words.
