Page 2 of Catch Yourself a Snowmance
I shake my head at the memory.
“You caught them on an off moment,” Noelle pleads like a kid asking her mom to keep a stray puppy who already peed on the carpet and chewed a shoe. “People get Dorito dust on their shirts. It’s not a reflection of their character.”
“So youaretrying to fix me up?”
“No. I’m definitely not. Liam and I just want our two friend groups to get to know one another better before the wedding. It would be so fun if all of us could hang out occasionally.
“And the cabin is resort luxury at its finest,” Noelle says with the tone of a seasoned real estate agent. “It’s the place we always went as a family. You know my daddy. He spares no expense and needs everything to reflect his standards. The bathrooms even have heated floors. And the views are exquisite. We’re only five minutes from the slopes.”
“If teaching ever ceases to be your passion, I’m pretty sure you have a future in timeshare sales.”
“Stop it. I’m just trying to convince you how awesome this week will be.”
“Do you remember that time we took your dad up on his offer to stay in his friend’s luxury camper outside Chattanooga?”
“Not the same. At all.” Noelle has her serious face on. She’s got all these expressions dialed in as a teacher.
“That thing was the motorhome of my nightmares.” I stare at Noelle. She looks appropriately and adorably remorseful. “I still shudder thinking about the sleeping arrangements. And that mattress! I couldn’t even roll over. It was a coffin! Who designs these things? Dracula? Plus, there was that smell in the shower. Just ewww.”
We laugh now, but no one was laughing that weekend.
“The RV was a bust. No doubt.” Noelle agrees. “This isn’t that. I’ve actually stayed in this cabin many times with my family. Calling it a cabin doesn’t even do it justice. This place is bigger than my house. It’s got six bedrooms, three upstairs bathrooms and a bath and a half downstairs. You’d share a bedroom with me—we each get our own queen bed. Everything is top of the line. ”
“Your dad said that RV was going to be top of the line. He used that exact phrase. ‘You girls are going to love Stuart’s camper. It’s top of the line.’” I add air quotes for emphasis.
Noelle ignores me. I think we’re at a standstill, but then she throws out her last ditch effort to win me over.
“Also—and I saved this part for last on purpose—Stephanie, Tori and Jennifer already said yes.”
“They did?”
“They did. You’re the last one. It won’t be the same without you, Alyssa.”
I make the mistake of glancing up and looking Noelle in the eyes. She’s got this sweet, pleading expression on her face.
“Okay. Okay. Consider me on board. But I get to pick what we do over your Spring Break. And it’s going to be girls only.”
“Deal!” Noelle squeals and does a little happy shimmy.
“I’d do anything for you,” I admit, even though she already knows it. “Just don’t take advantage of that fact, okay?”
“Never. You won’t regret this. I promise.”
“Mm hmm.” I smile at Noelle, despite the fact that I think she’s being optimistic.
She’s nearly giddy when she says, “If everything goes well, we’ll be hanging out as a group for years to come.”
Now I know she’s being optimistic.
Chapter 2
Carson
You're skipping Christmas!
Isn't that against the law?
~Spike Frohmeyer, Christmas with the Kranks
