Page 21 of Seeds of Christmas
“Yep.”
He laughs so hard he almost spills his coffee. “Okay, I take it back. You’re way more interesting than I thought.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” I say, fighting a smile. “I’m an introvert. I don’t want people asking to hang out with me too much.”
He gives me a mock salute. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
The game fades into comfortable silence. Somewhere on this road between the snow and the laughter, I forget to be anxious.
Forget to be perfect.
Just for a minute, it feels easy.
Just for a minute, it feels like breathing.
The silence this time feels different. Less awkward, more... companionable? Maybe that’s wishful thinking.
My phone buzzes in the cup holder between us. I glance down long enough to see it’s my mom. Again.
“I can answer it for you,” Carter says. “If you need to.”
“It’s fine. I’ll call her later.”
Another buzz. Another text.
Carter tactfully says nothing.
“My mom,” I explain, even though I don’t owe him an explanation. “She’s upset I’m not coming home. She doesn’t really understand why I’d choose work over family time.”
“That sounds hard.”
It’s such a simple response, but something about it—the lack of judgment, the lack of advice—makes my throat tight.
“Yeah,” I say. “It is.”
My phone buzzes a third time, and I make a decision. I pick it up and, without looking at the messages, put it on Do Not Disturb. Then I toss it.
“There,” I say. “Problem solved.”
Carter’s mouth quirks up at the corner. “Aggressive and not solving the problem at all. I like it.”
“What about you?” I ask, because it seems only fair. “Family upset you’re not coming home?”
His expression shutters slightly, but he answers. “My mom was disappointed. My dad too. They had this whole thing planned.”
“It sucks, doesn’t it?”
“It was my choice.” He pauses. “Sometimes you just need to not be somewhere, you know?”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I know.”
6
CARTER
The hike to Site One takes forty minutes, and I spend most of it trying not to look like I’m dying.
Rhi moves through the snow like she was born in it—steady, efficient, her boots finding purchase on icy rocks like she’s done this a thousand times. Which, apparently, she has.
