Page 22
And then my phone vibrates in my lap, shaking me awake. I jolt upright, blinking fast, disoriented. I squint down at my phone.
Violet.
I swipe to answer, stifling a yawn. “Hey, bride-to-be.”
“Whitley!” Violet’s voice bubbles through the speaker. “How’s the road trip going? Are you guys still on schedule?”
“If by ‘on schedule’ you mean ‘trapped in a metal box hurtling through Kansas,’ then yes, we’re right on track.” I stretch my legs as much as the confined space allows.
“And how’s Beau?” Violet asks. “Are you two getting along?”
I look at Beau again, catching his eye. “He’s fine. Stoic as ever. Driving like he was born to do it.”
“You’re being nice to him, right?” she presses. “Not flirting with him like a raccoon on espresso? Letting him answer a question before you ask another one?”
Beau glances over, brow lifted.
I slap a hand over the phone, whisper-hissing, “He can hear you.”
She laughs, utterly unbothered. “Good.”
I sigh and peek over at him again. He’s got one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on his thigh, and he’s doing that infuriating silent smirk thing.
Rude.
“I’m being the perfect passenger princess,” I tell her.
Beau, still looking at the road, says dryly, “You asked me six questions before seven this morning, Red.”
I gape. “You were counting?”
He shrugs in response.
I whip my head back to the phone. “You’re dead to me, Violet.”
“So it’s Red now, is it? That’s interesting.”
Heat creeps up my neck, and I pray Beau doesn’t notice. “It’s nothing. Just a hair color observation.”
“Mmhmm,” Violet hums, and I can practically see her eyebrows waggling. “Anyway, I just wanted to check in. The resort called—they’re expecting you tonight. They said the snowfall’s been heavier than usual so drive carefully on those mountain roads.”
“Snow?” I repeat, sitting up straighter. “Like, actual snow?”
“It’s the mountains in April, Whit. What did you expect?”
I glance down at my canvas sneakers and lightweight jacket. “I packed for spring, not the North Pole.”
“There’s a shopping center about twenty minutes from the resort if you need anything.” Violet pauses. “How was the storm last night? The news said it was pretty bad through Missouri.”
I catch Beau’s eye again, memories of the thunderstorm and the truck sleepover hitting me all at once. “It was…fine. We survived.”
“Well, I’m glad,” Violet continues. “Just wanted to make sure you’re both okay. Rowan says hi, by the way.”
“Tell Tattoo God I said hey back,” I reply, making Violet laugh.
“I will. Love you, Whit. Can’t wait to see you both!”
“Love you, too. Now go practice your vows or something.”
