Page 46 of Stocking Stuffers
“I thought you guys had hit it off.”
Sasha stared at her, eyes wide, and all rational thought completely fled her mind. What could she say to that?
I did hit it off with your hot brother, but I’m an emotionally repressed Scrooge with commitment issues. I don’t believe in romance or Christmas or any of the tenants of this beautiful business you’ve created here, the one that’s the Winters’ legacy.
Valerie laughed. “Holy shit, I put you majorly on the spot. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“Damn. On that awkward-as-fuck note, let me walk you out.”
Sasha nodded. “Okay.”
They trudged out onto the porch together. Water dripped from large icicles hanging from the eaves, and snow blanketed the front lawn. It was still shadowy outside, with the sun low on the horizon, but the snow cover lightened up the dimness. The snow was slushy on the walkways, which was a good sign. It wasn’t slick, but it was wet.
The temperature was probably pushing forty, which would make the roads treacherous with black ice in three hours when it re-froze.
Sasha loaded her bags into the backseat of her Bug before turning to Valerie. “I’m happy I met you. All of you.”
“Me too. I wish you lived closer so you could be in our book club.”
“Will you pass my goodbyes along to Karen, Andie, and Louise?”
“Of course. What about Perry?”
“I said ‘bon voyage’ to him this morning.”
“Okay. That’s … something.” Valerie frowned, and panic exploded in Sasha’s chest. She had to get out of here. This hurt too much.
“Yep.” Sasha opened her car door, then turned back to Valerie. “You should ask her out. Louise. She’ll say yes.”
Valerie smiled and nodded once in acknowledgment. Then Sasha climbed behind the wheel, started the engine, and began the stressful trek up the sloped driveway.
Like two nights ago, her little car struggled at the steepest part in the middle, but this time, it powered through it. It almost felt easy when she crested the top of the hill. She glanced in her rearview mirror to get one last peek at the Winterberry Inn.
It was sparkling with strings of red and green lights and looked like a Christmas card with pillows of snow on every inch of the yard and roof. But it wasn’t the Victorian house itself that pulled her attention.
No, it was Perry standing next to his sister, his arm around her shoulders, watching Sasha leave him.
She pulled onto the main road, going through the motions of driving, as her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Her breath pitched and caught in her throat. She made it to the interstate in a daze before she had to shake herself. It wasn’t safe to drive if she couldn’t focus.
But that image of Perry, leaning on his sister for comfort, had superimposed itself in her mind’s eye. She couldn’tunseeit. She couldn’t believe it would be her last glimpse of him.
Maybe they could continue the friends-with-benefits situation she’d originally suggested.
No.
He’d made it obvious that wouldn’t work for him, which she respected. She could compromise, try to open her heart, even though it was the last thing she could imagine doing, especially around Christmas, when she had to be so on guard all the time.
But you’ve already opened up,said the awful tiny voice in her head. She’d allowed him to burrow beneath her walls, to touch that soft, sensitive part of her heart that she thought was permanently closed for business.
Son of a bitch. Why did he have to be so different? So wonderful?
As she bumped along the snow-packed interstate at less than thirty miles per hour, her vision fuzzed, and she wiped her cheek.
A tear.
Oh shit.She was crying. Was that why her chest hurt? Why her head was pounding?
