Page 47 of Snow Balled

“I could use a bit of his skill right now,” Tristan said. “My lawyer’s supposed to get back to me about that deal with the recycled steel, and if they turned us down, I’ll need to figure something else out.”

“I’ve got my fingers crossed.”

“Thanks.”

Twenty minutes later, Tristan’s phone rang. His face paled as he looked at the screen. “It’s my lawyer.”

It was touching how important this deal was to him—and how important his company’s goal toward sustainability was. “Just take it down here,” I said. He stared at the phone in his hand. “Either way, answer it.”

Finally, he nodded, putting the phone to his ear and walking into the kitchen.

Figuring I wouldn’t be able to write while he was there talking, I checked my email—and then my breath caught in my throat.

There it was, right in my inbox—a reply from Miranda Morales Sanchez.

Suddenly, I knew how Tristan felt as he’d stared at his phone screen. Did I want to know what she had to say? Yes, but only if it was good news.

My hand hovered over the keyboard, my fingers shaking. I’d just open it—and then I’d know. It was simple.

Except I couldn’t make myself do it.

Tristan’s voice completely faded from my mind as I stared at the director’s name in my inbox. Finally, I clicked the email open.

Five minutes later, when Tristan reentered the room, I was still staring at the screen in front of me.

“We got it.”

Tristan’s words barely penetrated my daze, so he repeated them.

“Sierra, we got the contract for the recycled steel!”

I dragged my gaze up, seeing the huge smile on Tristan’s handsome face, and recalled the words he’d just said. “You did?”

“We did.” He leapt forward, coming around to my side of the table. “It’s finally happening! We’re making connections. We’re moving ahead. Hell, we might even be able to quit our jobs a month or two early.”

“Congratulations,” I murmured.

Tristan grabbed my hands, squeezing them. “That’s all you can say? This is big news! Say something!”

“Miranda Morales Sanchez wants to see my screenplay.”

“What?” Tristan’s eyes widened. “Seriously? She’s the one you wanted to show it to?”

I nodded, too stunned to say much more.

“My god, she’s amazing. Congratulations!” He pulled me to my feet and swung me around, breaking the paralysis that’d hit me when I’d read her email. “That’s incredible!”

I wrapped my arms around his neck as he backed away from the table, twirling me around. It was starting to sink in… she wanted to read my screenplay. Miranda Morales Sanchez—I could barely believe it.

And Tristan was just as excited about his news. “That’s amazing for you, too,” I said as he set me back down, but he didn’t let me go. His blue eyes were inches away and the happiness in them was palpable. Then he lowered his head and his lips touched mine.

For a moment, all I felt was joy, too. At my news. At his news. And at the way he held me. But as soon as his mouth pressed against mine, I pulled back. I wanted to celebrate with him. I wanted to be close to him… but I just couldn’t.

He let me go and stepped back. “Sorry.”

The fleeting look of pain on his face stabbed me right in the heart. “No, it’s fine, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Just got caught up in the moment,” he said, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes.

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