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If only everybody else was so easy to cheer up.
39
JESSE
The cold feels good against my sweaty skin as I step out of the garage into the driveway, which is patchy with ice.
I put my hands on my hips, breathing hard and watching Jake. He just interrupted my workout and said we needed to talk about something.
“I told you I was okay with you dating my little sister if you didn’t break her heart.”
I squint. “I’m pretty sure those were not your exact words. I think you said she could do worse than me. I wasn’t even sure if–”
“Shut up and let me do this, man.” Jake turns, running a hand over his buzzed hair. He takes a deep breath. “Against her better judgment, Andi likes you a lot.”
“Did she say that?”
“No. But I’m her big brother. I know this shit. And I can tell you two are in the middle of screwing things up. You’re about to let her go back home for some job she doesn’t give a shit about and she’s about to actually do it.”
“Wait,” I say. “She called it a dream job.”
“She’s confused. She thinks it’s supposed to be a dream job, but Andi has never been the type to dive into some real career. She works odd jobs to get by and enjoys life. And I want her to be able to keep doing that because it makes her happy. When she’s happy, I’m happy.” Jake gives me a solid punch in the chest, eyebrows drawn together. “You make her happy. Not some ‘dream’ job. Get it?”
“I’m not sure I do…”
“Jesus,” Jake throws his hands up. “No wonder you two can’t get this to work. She doesn’t want to leave. Get it? She wants you to want her to stay.”
“That’s not what she said.”
Jake looks like he might want to strangle me. “She’s a woman. Part of the game is reading their minds. But I’m her brother, so I’m pretty sure I know what I’m talking about here.”
“I wanted to give her the space to do what mattered to her. I didn’t want to pressure her into staying. I mean, shit. I haven’t even known her for a whole month. You’re telling me she actually wants me to talk her out of going back home where her family and friends are and getting some cool job with a bridal company? And for what? To stay here in Frosty Harbor and hang with my gimp ass until I’m back in season and traveling the country, barely ever home for her?”
“She’d follow you for games. She already knows the ropes. She grew up with me as her brother, remember? Andi is a great fan.”
I’ve been holding up a mental block for this whole conversation, but I finally let my guard slip just a touch. Is Jake actually right? “How much of this did she tell you and how much are you guessing?”
Jake grins. “I’m not here to give you the cheat codes. I’m just nudging your dumb ass back on the path, which you have firmly and thoroughly fallen off. So think about it, realize that you are very close to watching my sister walk out of your life for good, and decide what you want to do about that.” He grips my shoulder. “And tomorrow is the Frostival finale, by the way. Her favorite holiday song is Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, she loves big romantic gestures, and her favorite slow dance song is Better Together, by Jack Johnson. You’re welcome.”
I stare at him as he walks back inside, as if I’m supposed to know what the hell to do with all that information.
I finish my workout in a cloud of confusion, drive into town still confused, and I wander into Caroline’s bed and breakfast. It’s almost lunch time, and she’s snacking on a sandwich at the front desk. A Swedish couple I’ve seen around since last week is sitting and talking by the fire while two little kids play with the chess set. All I Want For Christmas is You is playing from the crummy little stereo at her desk.
Caroline spots me, gives a sisterly frown, then jerks her head for me to come sit with her.
I pull up a chair from one of the tables and sit behind the desk with her, kicking my feet up and threading my fingers on top of my head.
“So what did you do?” she asks around a mouthful of her sandwich. “Something with Andi, right?”
“I don’t know. Jake just had a confusing ass conversation with me. Apparently, I’m an idiot and I was supposed to know to talk Andi out of going back to New York to pursue her dream job.”
Caroline nods. “Interesting.”
“That’s all you got?”
“To be honest, I would trust Jake on this one. To me, it’s a toss up. Sure, it’s romantic and all to make some big push to get the girl you’re dating to choose you over a job. But in real life? People need jobs. They need money and they need a purpose outside being in a relationship. So I’d kind of say you did the reasonable thing by not pressuring her.”
“Thank you.”
