I was asleep when the sound of a snowplow started to come closer and closer.
At first, I didn’t open my eyes.
I was too dang warm and comfortable to move.
The low afternoon sun was persistent, though.
I reluctantly peeled open my eyes, and the first thing I saw was a wide chest.
I blinked in confusion until I leaned my head back and saw that I’d somehow turned and taken to using Romeo’s chest as a pillow.
He noticed my movement and looked down. “Your friend’s dad is here with the plow. Apparently almost all of the roads in the area have been cleared.”
Instant sadness hit me at that news.
I wanted to stay here forever.
I liked it here.
Brawny liked it here.
But that wasn’t ever something that would happen for me.
Romeo was too hot.
I was too not.
I pushed up, raising my arms up high over my head to stretch out.
“What time is it?”
“Just after five,” he answered just before my phone rang.
Romeo reached for it, disentangling our limbs, and handed it to me.
I answered it, seeing Vito’s name on the screen.
“Hey, Vito,” I called.
“Hey, darlin’,” he said. “Want a ride home?”
My shoulders slumped.
No, I most certainly did not want a ride home.
I wanted to stay exactly where I was, with who I was with, and live happily ever after in this little cabin in the woods.
Except, Romeo had made absolutely no move to indicate that he wanted me to stay.
In fact, he’d been the perfect gentleman. I had no inkling whatsoever that he felt anything for me besides friendship.
“Oh, yeah. I guess I could ride with you back home.” The words felt bitter on my tongue. “Can you give me five minutes?”
“Sure thing, doll face,” he said, then continued to clear the snow around Romeo’s driveway.
“Leaving?” he asked.
Was that a hint of sadness in his voice? Or did I just want it to be there?
