Page 12 of When You Were Mine

He shook his head. “She won’t want anyone but her mom and dad.” He smiled as though he knew she’d understand. “It’s a family matter.”

Stung, she reared back.I’m not family?“Okay.” She followed him to the back door.

Before he opened it, he turned to hug her. “I’m going to miss you.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her on the mouth. “I’ll call you when I get settled.”

She was too stunned to reply, so she just stood there.

“Oh. Also, I’ve canceled my return flight. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

“What are you saying? You won’t be here for the New Year’s event?” That was the resort’s hard launch. It was the gala and the polar plunge.

It seemed trivial compared to what his daughter was going through, but she’d looked forward to sharing the special night with her fiancé.

“It’s unlikely. I’ll have to stay as long as she needs me.” He kissed her cheek. “I have to run.” He hurried off, his boots crunching in the snow.

Shaken, Jess stood there, letting the icy cold air wash over her.

Seconds (or was it minutes? Hours?) later, her sister pulled her into the kitchen. “What’re you doing, you nut?”

The sudden warmth made her skin sting. “Joel left. He’s going to California without me.”

“You broke up?” Her sister sounded surprised.

“No. He needs to be there for his daughter. Her husband walked out on her.”

“Okay.” She studied her. “Are we happy or sad about not going?”

“I understand where he’s coming from.” That might’ve sounded a little flat. Well, frankly, she didn’t know how she felt. Unsettled. A little…shaken, maybe?

Numb.

Amber made a circular emotion. “I don’t know what’s happening with your face.”

“I guess I’m hurt?”

“Well, yeah, that’s fair. I would be too.”

“But I’m overreacting. His daughter’s in crisis, and I’ve never even met her, so, of course, she wouldn’t want some stranger there.”

Okay, yes. This makes sense.

“Jess, it’sChristmas. And he’s icing you out? That’s… I mean, his daughter’s important, but you’ve been together a year. Aren’t you important too?”

Good question.“Apparently not.” She tried to laugh, but it came out a weird kind of honk. “I don’t know. We’d better get back to work.”

“Are you good?” Amber asked.

“Yes.” Not really. She was still reeling. Unsettled.

“Great, because our server of the year hit an icy patch and ran off the road. But don’t worry. She swears the pastries are fine, and I’ve sent someone out there to grab them. We’re all good.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Jess shook her head, but she wasn’t entirely present. Her mind bobbed like a buoy on the ocean. “Well, you handled it, so… Perfect. Thanks. Okay.” She started back to her office.

“Why are you talking like a robot?”

But she waved her sister off. “I have to cancel my flight.”

“Do you though?”

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