Page 8 of Snowed In
“She’s fine.”
“Too much to drink?”
“No,” he says tersely, and that’s the end of that conversation.
Was he always so abrupt? I don’t remember him being like that.
“Megan?”
Not that I knew him at all.
“You here with anyone?” he asks. “A friend?”
“I’m supposed to be on a date.”
“Do you want me to get them?”
“I think he’s a no-show. It’s a first date.” I sit up slowly, pleased when the world doesn’t immediately tilt. “Sorry. I just gave blood.”
Christian looks incredulous. “You gave blood before a first date?”
“I was fine until I wasn’t.” I try another breath, and the world remains as it is. “He bailed on me.” God, I am so done with this day. “Sorry about your shirt.”
“It’ll wash. But you should—”
“You tried to flirt, didn’t you?” A new voice interrupts as a pretty blonde woman appears beside him, carrying a toddler on her hip. “You tried to pick up someone in a pub, and now look. You’ve got wine on your shirt.”
“I’m aware,” Christian says, as she turns her curious gaze to me.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I say. “Just nauseous.”
“He has that effect on people.”
“This is Megan,” Christian explains flatly. “I know her from home.”
“Oh. Cool.” The woman smiles at me. “Are you a librarian?”
“Okay, thanks, Zoe,” Christian interrupts before I can respond. “You’re going?”
“Yeah, he’s getting cranky. I’ll see you next week? Say bye to Uncle Christian,” she adds, passing the kid over to him for a kiss before turning back to me. “You sure you’re alright?” she asks kindly.
“I just need to sit for a while.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Christian adds, handing the little boy back.
“If you’re sure.” The woman gives me another sympathetic smile, and then she’s gone, slipping through the crowd with a final goodbye.
“Friend of the family,” Christian explains, and I nod, which only sends my head spinning again.
“You don’t have to stay,” I tell him. “Honestly. I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“That’s just my general vibe.”
“Uh-huh.” We begin a short staring contest that he wins. “On a scale of one to ten, how much do you still feel like throwing up?”
