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“Did they fight? Yeah, all the time. Only they threw plates and other heavy objects instead of snow. Eventually they divorced, so I guess they grew tired of throwing things.”
It was the first time he’d revealed anything personal about himself. All she really knew about him was that he loved the outdoors, was a skilled carpenter, and had been a loyal friend to Dan for most of his life.
Her parents’ shrieks faded into the background.
She touched his arm. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He thrust his hands deep into his pockets. “It was a relief for everyone who knew them. You didn’t need to be an expert on relationships to know they should never have been together.”
“Why?”
“Because they didn’t like each other. Everything she did annoyed him, and everything he did annoyed her. Not a good basis for a marriage. If you wanted me to find one word that encapsulated my parents’ relationship, it would be contempt.”
“Ouch. Is that why you never married?”
There was a pause. “I’ve been married. Once. A long time ago.”
“What? But—Jordan! I had no idea.” She turned to look at him but couldn’t read anything from his profile. “Dan never mentioned it.” And why hadn’t he? How many other important facts had he failed to mention?
“He knows it’s something I prefer to forget. And our relationship was nothing like yours and Dan’s, in case you’re worrying.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“I happen to think that being easy to read is a quality, not a flaw. Generally I’m not big on advice, but I’m going to give you some anyway because Dan’s like a brother to me and I don’t want to see him hurt. I don’t want to see either of you hurt.” Jordan stared straight ahead of him. “Don’t compare your relationship to anyone else’s. The only people who know what goes on
inside a marriage are the two people involved.”
Her heart was pumping against her ribs. “You think I’d hurt Dan?”
“Not intentionally. But I think, perhaps, you listen to too many voices that aren’t your own.”
He was right of course. “I—I’ll remember that.”
“And here’s another piece of advice—if you’re worrying about something, your wedding for example, talk to Dan, not your sister.”
That was good advice. It was what she needed to do.
“You don’t like my sister?”
There was a pause.
“She’s the first woman I’ve wanted to kill within five minutes of meeting her.”
“Oh!” Rosie didn’t know what to say to that. “It was so generous of you to meet her at the airport. I’m sorry if she was—if she seemed—prickly?”
“Don’t be. She loves you. But she is so busy protecting you, she doesn’t think about whether you actually want, or need, her protection.”
“She’s actually the warmest, kindest person I know.”
“I believe you, but don’t let her wreck what you have, Rosie.” He turned to look at her then, his eyes filled with warmth. “Not that you should be at all interested in my opinion, because the only opinion that matters is your own, but I happen to know you’re the best thing that ever happened to Dan.”
Rosie felt her chest ache. “What makes you say that?”
The corner of his mouth flickered. “I met his other girlfriends.”
Maggie
“I am soaked through and freezing and it’s all your fault. Did you have to push that last snowball right down my front?” Maggie shivered as she stripped off her outer layers. She was cold but buzzing. She felt more alive than she had in years. For a moment back there by the lake with the sun beaming down on them, she’d thought about nothing but the fun of the moment. The impulse. The delicious rush of semifear as Nick had chased her across the snow, and the laughter. Her ribs still ached from the laughter. “I can’t believe we did that.” She was too old to have snow melting down the inside of her jacket.
