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Patrick opened my door, dressed in a pair of the finest-fitting jeans known to man and a cashmere sweater. How he didn’t have to wear a coat, I had no idea. I, on the other hand, shimmied into my wool coat over the layers I was already wearing. We’re talking thermal underwear, a button-up, and a sweater. If Patrick wanted to undress me, it would be like getting into Fort Knox.
“Hi.” I played coy.
“Hi there.” He reached out his hand.
I took it and immediately felt more settled, albeit cold. The winter chill hit me like a freight train. I wondered if I would ever get used to the weather here.
Patrick helped me out of the car and we joined Bridgette, who was patiently waiting for us. She looked darling in her puffer jacket and beanie, her long caramel hair draping down in beachy waves. She flashed a smile. I knew she was excited to pick out a dress for the dance. She’d been talking about Cruz nonstop on the drive. Come to find out, one of the girls who had called Bridgette a pick me girl liked Cruz. It irritated me what jealous girls were capable of. I knew from firsthand experience the damage they could inflict. Jealously was probably the ugliest emotion of all. It can make anyone turn on you.
I’ve even had to learn to school that formidable beast. I’m ashamed to admit how many people I had been jealous of who had children when I couldn’t. I was even jealous of Charlotte for a while. But I remembered reading somewhere that our triggers and negative emotions aren’t zip codes. We don’t have to live there, and it’s unfair when we expect other people to dwell there with us.
My advice to Bridgette was to live her best life and not stoop to those girls’ level. However, if I ever ran into those girls, I might just give them a piece of my mind. I found myself feeling very protective of Bridgette and Rory. Rory was hanging out with Charlotte and Jameson today. And shoveling snow. He wasn’t thrilled about the shoveling, but he really wanted that new PlayStation.
The three of us trudged through the snow to the viewing area. The sign that said “Howdy Stranger Yonder is Jackson Hole” was almost completely covered in snow. Some other weirdos like us were taking their picture in front of it, their hair whipping around in the bitter-cold wind.
Patrick wrapped his arm around me, holding me close as I shivered. Bridgette sidled up to my other side. I put my arm around her, trying to keep her warm. It was futile this time of year at an elevation of 8400 feet.
“Look at that,” Patrick said in awe.
I looked out over the vastness of the landscape below. For miles and miles, I could see nothing but snowcapped peaks and pine trees that appeared frosted in buttercream. It was stunning against the clear blue sky and sun shining in all her glory. The valley looked so peaceful and pristine from up here. The frightening part was the view of the road that angled down at a ten percent grade, covered in old, dirty snow and sand. It kind of felt like my life right now. I had to take a scary road to get to the beauty awaiting me, if only I was brave enough to traverse it. Maybe even skid and slide a bit on the way there.
The last few days with Patrick and his kids had been some of my best. Even though I was exhausted from all the wedding chaos. But I’d loved every meal we’d shared together and the cheesy Christmas movies we would watch at night, snuggled up on the couch while eating caramel popcorn. We’d even taken turns sliding down the slide. I hadn’t convinced Patrick to karaoke yet, but that was so happening. Yet, I knew the road ahead wouldn’t always be so easy. Patrick and I both came with baggage now. And I was still trying to wrap my head around the whirlwind of our romance. Could Patrick truly love me already? He hadn’t said the words, but I knew he wanted to. He was holding back on my behalf. Same as the last time we’d been together, years ago. Did I really want that outcome? Would this be the time I dared to let my guard down? Charlotte certainly thought so. But she also kept relating my life to rom-coms, so I wasn’t sure if I should take her seriously.
“Can we go now?” Bridgette’s teeth chattered violently.
“Yes.” Patrick chuckled. “But first let me take a picture of my girls.”
I liked that phrase a lot—my girls. I looked to Bridgette to see if she was okay with it. She leaned more into me, so I assumed it was okay. Either that, or she was trying to share body heat. It was freaking cold out.
Patrick pulled out his phone and walked away from us. “Turn around and smile.”
We turned, holding on to each other.
Patrick took a moment to take us in.
“Dad, take the picture.” Bridgette wasn’t impressed with his adoring gaze.
“Okay, okay. Smile, my beauties.”
We both tried to, but I was pretty sure my facial muscles were frozen.
As soon as he was done, Bridgette and I trudged back to the car as fast as we could. Patrick followed, laughing at us.
Once in the car, Patrick immediately turned the heat to high. “That was fun.”
“If you say so.” Bridgette rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them up.
“If you think that was fun, just wait until you meet my mother. I did mention she’s a tad crazy, right?”
Patrick leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Yes. Several times. It’s going to be great. I promise.” He said that now, but wait until my mother started talking to him about flavored condoms.
“Keep your expectations low.” I grinned.
“I refuse to do that. Not with you. Not this time.”
He knew how to get me right in the feels. I grabbed his shirt and laid a kiss on him. Chastely, of course. Not evenchurch tongueappeared, as referred to inThe Wedding Singer.
“I think you two are, like, the cutest couple ever. But could you spare me the PDA? I just want to go shopping.” Bridgette sounded like she wanted to gag. But she did say we were the cutest couple ever. That had to be good.
