Page 12 of Stuck on the Slopes

“Don’t pretend you hate us, Juniper. We know there’s love in that stone-cold heart of yours somewhere.”

I laughed as my body relaxed, the pain in my leg dissolving until the only spot that remained was a dull throb in my piriformis muscle. “I think that froze over a long time ago, AJ.”

“Wait, I know that laugh. Did you take your meds? Like, too much of them?”

“Just enough, actually.”

“I will never get over you being giggly. It’s like a living oxymoron.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Never. So what’s the new girl like? Other than a strong personality.”

“Well, you can tell she used to work in corporate. Even her tone of voice comes across as fake.”

“Is she being fake or is she being respectful? So quick to assume the worst, you are.”

“Either way, I hate it.”

“And she’s probably wondering what your damage is, so try to be nice, would you?”

I scoffed in mock offense. “Iamtrying, thank you very much.”

“Bullshit.”

“Oh, and I thought I was the one out here assuming the worst.”

“I know you, Juniper. One time, you told a guy to piss off because he congratulated you on a second-place win. You can’t bullshit me.”

“May I remind you I was off by one point because that one judge was all pissed because I wouldn’t date his daughter? It felt like a backhanded compliment.”

“He didn’t know that!”

“I think everyone knew that. Some teen magazine ran a whole fucking article on it.”

Allison huffed in frustration. “My point is, you’re quick to assume this girl is being fake when she’s probably just hoping to make a good first impression at a new job.”

“Can you blame me for being jaded after everything?”

“No, I don’t, but it’s not healthy to be all doom and gloom all the time either. Not everyone is out to get you, you know.”

“Well, it certainly feels like it sometimes.”

Allison ignored me. “Get off your high horse. She’s there because you’re paying her to do a job—a job you desperately need someone to do, might I add. And as much as Rick and I love you, we don’t love you that much.”

I winced. “Ouch, AJ.”

They groaned, melodramatic as always. “What are you working on with her today?”

“Decor.”

“Let her take the lead and show her you value her opinion. She’ll feel more confident if you do and will probably relax after that.”

“I don’t need to like her, you know. I just need her to do her job.”

“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. It’s only the two of you, right? You absolutely need to like her. You’ll drive yourself up a wall otherwise.”

“Fine. Since you’re right about everything.”

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