I tilt my head.“Which is…?”
“That you are the best man I’ve ever known, Evander MacLaine.And, like you, I have a weak spot for the best.”
She smiles down on me.It’s warm.It’s so open and trusting that I almost look away.She’s too good for me.I should tell her that.But she has more to say.
“When this is over, and we’re back home, I won’t ask anything of you.I really mean that.You owe me nothing.I won’t be expecting you to ask me out and I won’t be laying claim to you or anything.You have my word.As the saying goes, what happens in a blizzard, stays in a blizzard.”
“I’m not familiar with—”
“You know what I mean.”
“But what if—?”
“This storm is terrifying and dangerous, but it’s given me a chance to get to know you, and for that, I’m truly grateful.”
I’m back to speechless.
“There’s one last thing you need to know,” Phoebe says.
“Okay.”
“So, remember Rick?My most recent relationship I told you about?The one I tried to keep going long distance after I left Arizona?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Rick came out here a couple of months ago and we met in Tahoe for a romantic weekend.”
Why is she telling me this?Why are my hands curling into fists and why am I imagining the satisfyingcrack!of my knuckles on the good doctor’s nose?
“Sounds nice,” I say.
“It was awful.This was October and I hadn’t seen you in months, but there I was with Rick in this nice chalet, and I couldn’t shake…I couldn’t let go of…”
Phoebe looks down and sighs, like she’s gathering the courage to continue.I take the opportunity to scoot closer to her.When she looks up once more, she’s surprised to see me just inches away.
“What happened, Phoebe?”
“I broke it off.”
Rick’s not such a bad dude, really.
“He asked me if there was another man.I told him no, not technically, but that it wouldn’t be fair to continue with him because my heart wasn’t in it.”
“Why?”
“Because it wasn’t available.”
“Why?”
Her eyes sparkle with tears.“Because I’d put it away for safekeeping.You know, just in case.”
She pulls a hand from her blanket cocoon and holds it out, palm up.I reach out and cradle that delicate hand in both of mine.The bones of her wrist and fingers are petite.Her skin is so warm and soft.
“In case what, Phoebe?”
A single tear falls down her freckled cheek.
Oh, man.I’m a goner.I’m deceased.This girl has flattened me.“I’ll answer my own question,” I tell her.“You meant just in case the day ever comes that I pull my head out of my ass long enough to see you.”
