Page 53 of Snowed In on Valentine's Day

“I know. That might be my thing, but it’s hard to say because I didn’t write for very long today.”

“It’s new. You’ll get used to it.”

I hoped she was right. The knowledge that Peter was right next door didn’t help though. But at least now I’d decided to stop hiding out in my house. If I saw him again—no,whenI saw himagain, because it was inevitable as neighbors—I’d play it cool. Be polite, courteous, and unaffected. So far, I hadn’t seen him, but I also hadn’t been sitting at my window-facing desk lately. Instead, I’d worked from the couch, the kitchen, or the library. Anywhere but the front window.

“Hazel, what else is going on?”

My eyes, which had been staring unseeing at the front window curtains, darted to hers. “Nothing.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Really? With you, nothing always means something.”

“Why does that statement sound so familiar?” I smiled wryly. “Oh, maybe because I’ve said it toyouso many times.”

“Fair enough. But you’re deflecting.” She peered at me closely before adding, “Tell me about the storm. I can’t believe Peter lives next to you and let you stay at his house!”

“Yeah, it’s bizarre. For a moment, I thought maybe you and Terry somehow engineered it.” Actually, I still wondered about that. I watched her closely for her reaction.

She gasped. “Hazel, we would never … OK, well, maybe we would. I wish we had thought of it. But alas, we didn’t.” She flashed a sheepish smile.

I laughed. “At least you’re honest.”

She flushed. “Well, about that—”

The doorbell rang before she could finish her sentence. She turned shifty eyes toward the front door, and I listened as Terry descended the stairs.

“Where did you order food from?” I asked calmly. But I had a sinking feeling.

“Village Pizzeria,” she mumbled as her eyes returned to me.

Dammit.

“Mari, do you have something to tell me?” I asked when we heard Terry saying hello around the corner.

She bit her lip. “I was just about to tell you.”

I sighed deeply. “You didn’t. Please tell me—”

“Ladies, our fourth is here!” Terry called out, walking into the room with a massive smile.

I squeezed my eyes shut tight, wishing I was anywhere but here. But when my eyes reluctantly opened, there he was.

The man I’d tried to stop thinking about these past few days. I had no reason to be thinking about him. It was infuriating. And why, oh why, did he look more handsome than ever tonight? He was clean-shaven, he’d had a haircut, and he was wearing chinos and a golf shirt. A preppy look that usually didn’t do it for me. But on him, well, I had to force myself to not openly ogle him.

Leaning closer to Mari, I hissed, “You didn’t think to warn me?”

She winced. “Sorry. I only found out just before you came that Terry invited him, and I thought we’d have time to talk about it.”

I pressed my lips together and nodded curtly to him. Our eyes met, and he said nothing.

“Hi, Peter! So glad you could make it. Welcome!” my best friend said to my nemesis.

“Thank you, Mariana,” he said, dipping his head. “You have a lovely home.”

She and Terry smiled at one another and then thanked Peter, while I sat with my arms crossed.

Maybe I could think of an excuse to cancel on dinner. I loathed lying though, and I missed Mari so much. Still, was it worth having to share space with Peter again, albeit only for a meal? I mean, he hadkissedme. Passionately. And then abruptly stormed out. We hadn’t talked or even seen each other since. This was taking awkward to a whole new level.

“Mari, do you want any wine, or are you still—”

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