I close my eyes and touch my lips with my fingertips, remembering the feel of his lips on mine. The kiss was magnificent.Magical, even.
But he ran away.Why did he run?
In the moment our mouths were connected, I’d have sworn he had feelings for me. But afterward… I don’t know.
Maybe I really am just the sister of his closest friends. Someone he cares about out of familial duty alone.
Oh, God. What if I’m the only one who felt sparks?
And even worse… what if he was disgusted by the feel of my lips on his?
When my sobs have slowed to whimpers, I hang each ornament back on the tree. When I look out the window again, I see that my prediction about the snow is correct. It came early, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland.
I add another log to the fire and wait for the others to arrive. They’re all experienced mountain drivers with chains on their tires for additional traction, so I reassure myself there’s no reason to worry.
Exhausted from my annual cry fest, I lay down on the rug next to the fireplace. My eyelids flutter closed, and within moments, I’m fast asleep.
I don’t wake until I hear helicopter blades whirring in the winter air.
Four
Macbeth
“Macbeth?”Levithrowsopenthe door, storming into the cabin.
I plant my hands on my hips. “What were you thinking, flying in the snow?” I bellow.
“I had to,” he says, raking a hand over his closely cropped brown hair, looking distraught. “I was scared to death. We all were.”
My eyebrows knit in confusion. “Why?”
“The road up the mountain is blocked. There was an accident, and one of the cars was the same model as yours.” He looks at me, eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
I glance at my purse. My phone is inside, set to silent. “I needed some time to myself for… something.”
“For what?” he asks, anger evident in his voice.
I raise my chin defiantly. “None of your business.”
He shakes his head, pulling his phone from his pocket. He punches in a number and holds the phone to his ear. A moment later, he says, “I’m here, Romeo. Macbeth is too. She’s safe.” He glances at me, nodding his head. “Yeah. She’ll be getting an earful from me.”
When he hangs up, he rounds on me. But his anger melts from his face and he stalks across the room, pulling me into an embrace. “Oh, God, Baby Jones. We thought it was you.”
“You couldn’t tell?” I ask quietly.
“The car went off a cliff, and no one has been able to safely get down to it, yet. There’s nowhere nearby to safely land the helicopter. I’ve never felt so… helpless.”
“That’s no excuse to risk your life flying up here in the snow, though,” I say.
“I’ll risk my life every single day if it means making sure you’re safe.”
I glance up at him, daring to hope. “Why?”
His gaze is hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. “Because I love you, Baby Jones.”
My heartrate kicks into overdrive.He loves me?“Like a sister?”
“No fucking way.”
