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Tragic, I know. Especially since he didn’t call me last night, even when I put myself out there like that. Made it so painfully obvious that Ialwayswant him to call, always want to hear his low voice, even after a whole day together. Because even though I moan about spending all of my time at work, I miss him terribly when we’re apart.
“Forget that one. Let’s play truth or dare.” Wriggling in my seat, I try to stretch out my stiff legs. Two hours down, two hours to go until we reach Aspen Ridge—though at least the scenery is getting prettier, dusted with a fine layer of white. “You know this one, right?”
Reid harrumphs. He’s slowed the car since we hit snow. “Seems self-explanatory.”
“Right. So… truth or dare?”
“I’m driving,” Reid says flatly. Always such a bundle of joy.
“Truth, then, I guess.” I pretend to think about it, tapping on my chin, then pluck up my courage. “Why didn’t you call me last night?”
Reid blinks out at the road. A truck rumbles past, going way too fast and rocking our car. Reid curses and slows even more.
“Because it was after work hours,” he says at last.
And… bleurgh. Was I expecting a real answer there? Honestly?
“You’ve gone quiet.” Reid’s voice is hushed too, like he senses this conversation is delicate, and his jaw clenches when I shrug. He’s probably pissed that I’m being such a baby, making things awkward, and that’s fair… but I can’t help it.
Three years, I’ve longed for this man, and he doesn’t think of me. Only sees me as an assistant. Bet he’d swap me out for Siri if he could, because he’s always rolling his eyes at my bright clothes, the tunes I sing, and the cute lunch bags I pack myself.
He’s the best part of my day, and I’m an irritation for him to suffer through.
“Your turn.” Reid’s thumb taps against the steering wheel, impatient.
“Dare.” As if I’d ever pick truth now.Please. I’d rather poke out my own eyeballs than confess anything to this man.
“I dare you to tell me what’s bothering you.”
Ugh! That is such bullshit!
“Stop loopholing me. You are such a lawyer—”
“Tell me, Noelle.”
Neck tight, I peer around the car, but my boss is too freaking tidy. There’s nothing loose to throw at his head.
“Tell me,” he says again. Always so stern. Always sobossy.And usually I love that, I love his pinched eyebrows and hard jaw and piercing eyes, but right now, I’d happily commando roll out of the window onto the snowy highway to avoid him.
“Noelle. Tell me.”
Fine! Whatever! I throw up my hands.
“I’m hurt, okay? I wanted you to call.” My throat is tight, and this moment couldn’t be more humiliating if it tried. I hate Reid for forcing this out of me. “I forgot that you don’t like people, Reid. That you don’t likeme. Sometimes I forget, and the reminder… it sucks.”
Reid is quiet for a long, long time. As the snow falls thicker, he flicks on the wipers.
Then he turns on the radio, and we listen to Christmas music all the way to Aspen Ridge.
Four
Reid
This town is revolting.
It’s like someone took a postcard-perfect small town, complete with a small cinema and kooky shops and a bustling diner, and vomited holiday decorations all over it. If they hang one more string light in Aspen Ridge, surely there will be a national power shortage. Wondering where all the pine trees have gone? They’re here, being whored out for the holidays.
“Stop scowling, Reid. You look like you just ate a bug.”
