Page 97 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Sam shakes his head, blinking at me. “No, just cold as hell. But I’m alright, man. I owe you guys big time.”
Before I can respond, Hailey comes rushing in. She practically throws herself into Sam’s arms, hugging him tight like she never wants to let go.
“Sam, thank God,” she whispers, holding him close.
I stand up, stepping back to give them some space, but my mind’s already drifting. I look around, trying to spot Emily. I haven’t seen her since we got back.
“Hey, where’s Emily?” I ask Hailey, my voice low. I’m expecting her to say she’s fine, maybe that she’s busy with wedding prep. But she doesn’t respond; she just keeps her focus on Sam, brushing his hair back and checking him over like she’s his personal nurse.
That’s when I know something’s wrong.
I cross my arms, waiting for her to say something, anything, but she stays silent. My gut twists tighter. “Hailey?” I ask again, a little more firmly this time. “Where’s Emily?”
She finally pulls back from Sam, standing up, but she doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, she smooths her dress, clears her throat, and asks, “How do you feel about walking down the aisle with Chloe for the wedding?”
My stomach drops. “Since when is Chloe in the wedding party?”
Hailey still won’t look at me. “It’s something we’re figuring out,” she mumbles, brushing off the question like it’s no big deal.
But itisa big deal. “Since when are you so chummy with Chloe?”
Hailey just shrugs, avoiding my gaze again as she turns back to Sam.
I watch them for a moment longer, that knot in my stomach tightening by the second. Something’s off with Hailey, but I can’t put my finger on it. She totally ignored my question about Emily’s whereabouts. And what’s going on with Chloe being in the wedding?
After checking in with Sam one last time, I leave the room, my mind already racing as I try to figure out what the hell is going on.
I head down the hallway, looking for her, and after a few minutes, I finally spot her. She’s in the main hall, busy with wedding prep, her hands moving quickly as she arranges decorations, her brows furrowed in concentration. And she’s doing it all alone.
My heart melts, and I fall in love with her once again.
Her face lights up for a split second when she sees me, and she drops what she’s doing, running into my arms.
But as I look down at her, I can tell she’s not completely herself. There’s something in her eyes—a hint of sadness.
I rub her back gently, trying to feel out what’s going on. “You alright?” I ask.
She doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she pulls back slightly, her expression a little distant, like she’s not sure how to say what’s on her mind.
I don’t know what to make of it, and I can’t stand the silence between us, so I break it. “Hailey said something about me walking down the aisle with Chloe. Do you know what that’s about?”
“No,” she says, but the word seems loaded.
“What’s going on with you? Hailey? I swear we were only gone for a few hours.”
She shakes her head, her hands fidgeting with a piece of ribbon she’s holding. “It’s just…I don’t know. Everything’s a mess, Jace. Chloe’s stirring things up, and now Hailey’s mad at me, and?—”
“Why is Hailey mad at you?” I interrupt, stepping closer, trying to catch her gaze. “Did something happen?”
She hesitates, and I can see the struggle in her eyes. She’s holding something back. “It’s nothing,” she says finally.
“Emily, whatever it is, we’ll figure it out. Just tell me.”
She finally meets my eyes, but the look on her face sends a wave of dread through me. “Chloe…Chloe said some things. About me, about you, about…the others.”
I feel a cold pit form in my stomach. “The others? What the hell is she saying?”
Emily bites her lip, looking away again. “She knows about all of us, Jace. And she’s twisting everything. She’s making it sound like…” She trails off. “She made it sound horrible.”
