Page 64 of Snowed In
“What is your problem?” I snap.
“Says the grown man throwing a hissy fit.” She yanks her arm away and tries to head back, only to glare when I step in front of her.
“You know the first thing Megan said to me when she met you?” I ask. “She said that you didn’t like her. And it made me feel like utter shit because it’s scary enough meeting your partner’s family for the first time without them being dicks about it. I asked Andrew if Molly would make an effort with her, but I didn’t think I’d need to ask you. I thought you just would.”
“I don’t not like her. I don’t know her.”
“Didn’t stop you from fawning over Molly when Andrew brought her home.”
“I didn’tfawn,” she says, the tips of her ears turning pink. “That was completely different.”
“How?”
“Because she’s…Oh, come on! It’s obvious.”
“Is this about Isaac?”
“No!”
“Because it’s a little creepy that you’re so obsessed with your ex-camogie coach.”
“It’s about you, you idiot! She’s using you.” Her mouth slams shut as soon as she says the words, instantly embarrassed.
“She’s what?”
“She’s using you,” she says, softer now like she’s trying not to hurt my feelings. “I’m sorry, Christian, but it’s as clear as day to everyone but you.”
To everyone? I shove away that little nugget to worry about later. “Why would she be using me?”
“Oh, I don’t know, because you grew up? Because you dress in nice clothes and have a good job? Her whole family is loaded. She wouldn’t have looked at you twice before you got all successful.”
“Successful, huh?”
“Christian, I’m serious! I have a sixth sense about these things, and I’m never wrong.”
“Oh, wellthen.”
“You don’t think it’s a little odd?” she continues. “You don’t think it’s even alittlesuspicious that her ex-fiancé gets engaged, and after years of being away, she coincidentally returns to the village with you on her arm? She’s using you to make her look good.”
“She’s here because it’s Christmas,” I say. “And her brother’s come all the way from Australia. She’s here because it’s her home, and she can come back whenever she likes. And if she wants to use someone, I’m sure she can find someone a lot better than me.”
Hannah scoffs like that’s ridiculous, but whether that’s due to her opinion of Megan’s options or my standing in her eyes, I’m not entirely sure.
“She doesn’t love you,” she says bluntly. “I know when people are in love with each other. And I know when they like each other. I’m a romantic.”
“You’re annoying is what you are.”
“Mam and Dad. Andrew and Molly. Me and Daniela. We all—”
“Hang on,” I interrupt. “You’re inlovewith Daniela?”
“We told each other three months ago,” she says defensively, and I blink, trying to merge the nineteen-year-old in front of me with the ten-year-old in my head.
“That’s great. What did you guys—”
“You’re not distracting me,” she says, eyes narrowed. “Something’s up with that girl. I know it.”
“And what if there is?” I ask, starting to feel tired. “What if I don’t care? I’m not in love with her either, Hannah. We’re just taking things as they come. But I like spending time with her, and she likes spending time with me, and I would really,reallyappreciate it if you stopped making her feel like shite every time you look at her.”
