“Still invited for the storm?” Greta asked in a friendly voice.
“Yes.” Toni gave her an appraising look.
“Perfect, then.” She held out a hand to Toni. “Hi, I’m Greta. I’m here visiting Kaelee for the weekend. We’re dating, long distance because I work in New York. And you are?”
“Toni. Friend to Kaelee. I guess I don’t… know you?” Toni looked like she might laugh or scowl. It could go either way. “Pleased to meet you.”
“You don’t know me this weekend. Shall we stop by your place for our things, Kaelee?” Greta asked, smiling at Kaelee now.
Kaelee pulled her in closer to her side. “You’re fucking amazing, you know.”
“Sorry about missing the ballet,” Greta murmured quietly.
Kaelee swept her up in a cradle carry to move her to the sidewalk, which was already plowed or shoveled. Quietly she asked, “Seriously, though, would you rather catch the train? Stay at my place and gamble on the heat? Get a hotel room?”
“I honestly just want to be with you. Wherever you are.” Greta caught her gaze. “Do you think your power will go out?”
“Probably within the next few hours,” Kaelee said. “It goes out constantly. I suspect that’s part of why the rent is so low.”
“Are you okay with staying at their place?”
“I am. I just feel like I’m failing you. My apartment is too small, and I can’t keep it heated well enough—”
“The heat is because of a storm. Also your apartment isnottoo small.”
“And the date I planned isn’t happening.” Kaelee opened the front door of the Jeep. “And another woman is driving us.”
“So you provided a chauffeur, and we’llstillbe together. Pleaserelax, it’s not a test, and if it were, you’re not failing it.” Greta closed the front door and opened the back door. “All I see is that you are able to sit next to me, and we might get snowed in together.”
“You’re both giving me a pain behind the eyes,” Toni said, staring at them in the rearview mirror with a fond expression now. “You may be perfect for each other.”
Greta squeezed Kaelee’s hand. “I guess tonight is our first double date.”
“I’m not rearranging the wedding party for you, though.” Toni scowled. “Addie has it all figured out. There will be no changes to the bridal parties. You hear me?”
28Kaelee
Toni was idling downstairs while Greta and Kaelee gathered a few things. In addition to clothes and toiletries, Kaelee picked up a few bottles of wine and the cheesecake she’d bought yesterday. She added a book she was reading, a board game, and a few fluffy things for Greta to wear.
“I don’t imagine you packed sweatshirts or flannels.”
Greta took a flannel from her hands and said, “I have one.”
“I was grabbing it for you.” Kaelee snatched it back. “This one is my favorite, though, so it does not get carried off to Manhattan. You canborrowit when you’re in DC.”
Greta kissed her cheek. “Sounds perfect. You are an excellent date.” When Kaelee tensed, Greta noticed and added, “To be crystal clear, I mean that. I’m having fun.”
Kaelee nodded. “Wait up here.” She took her bags down to the Jeep and then ran back upstairs for Greta’s things.
The drive to Toni and Addie’s townhouse was a little dicey. The salt trucks and plows were trying, but it was always harder to keep up with snow in progress than it was to clear it once the skies were no longer pouring it down.
“I’m a safe driver,” Toni promised when Greta gasped the second time. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to either of you.”
“I know,” Greta murmured. “It’s not you I worry about.” The carthat had made her gasp and Kaelee flinch was driven by someone who failed to know that brakes on slick surfaces would lead to skidding and donuts. A few feet to the left and they’d have been spinning from impact. Instead there was a symphony and horns and the driver somehow regained control to continue on down the road to terrorize others.
“Are you okay?” Kaelee asked Toni in her calmest voice.
“Ready to be off the roads. Why in the hell can no one here drive worth a damn?” Toni’s wipers and defrost were running full out, but the snow fell faster and faster.
