Page 36 of Snow Much Trouble
I do know. And I hate that she's probably right. I've been in her shoes—so focused on building Four Brothers that I let everything else fall away. The difference is, I'm starting to wonder if that was the wrong choice.
"It doesn't have to be hard. We could just... see where this goes."
She shakes her head, blinking rapidly. "I should go. I really should go."
I want to argue more, want to find the perfect words that will make her stay. But looking at her face, at the way she's clearly fighting her own feelings, I realize that pushing right now will only make things worse.
"Okay," I say quietly. "Let me help you carry your stuff to your car."
She nods. She pats the giant fake reindeer on her way out. “Bye, Buck. It’s been real.”
We make two trips out to her car, and I brush off her windshield. Thanks to the noticeably higher temperature and the plow service that came through early this morning, the driveway is slushy but passable. The tree branch I moved yesterday is stacked neatly with the rest of the firewood.
Everything is returning to normal.
When we're done loading her car, we stand there awkwardly in the driveway, our breath making white clouds in the cold air.
"Thank you," Lauren says. "For keeping the fire going Friday night. For making me feel safe. For..." She trails off.
"For what?"
"For making this weekend unforgettable." Her eyes are bright. "I mean that, Dylan. I'll never forget this."
The words sound too much like goodbye for fucking forever.
"Lauren, this isn’t a big deal. We can keep in touch."
She goes up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek, quick and sweet. "Take care of yourself, bourbon boy."
Then she's in her car, engine starting, backing carefully down the driveway. I stand there like an idiot and wave as she turns onto the road. She waves back through the window, and then she's gone, taillights disappearing around the bend.
I stand there for a long time after, staring at the empty road.
The sun is climbing higher, making the snow sparkle like diamonds. It's still beautiful. It's still a perfect winter morning.
But now I'm alone in it.
My phone buzzes. It’s a text from Ian.
You okay?
How does he always know? That’s so damn annoying.
I'm fine.
The three dots appear immediately.
You don't sound fine.
I'm not fine. I met someone and I let her drive away because I didn't know how to make her stay.
Who is she?
A songwriter. Lauren. We got snowed in together at the cabin.
And?
And I think I'm in love with her.
