Jessie felt her eyes watering again. “He’s been down?”
Jessie knew her tone had come out much too hopeful when she saw her grandmother frown. Jessie didn’t really want Kai to be distraught, she just wanted to know this was tough for him too. With a shake of her head, Grams sighed. “He’s so melancholy lately. This is just what he needs right now.” Her lips firmed, and she nodded, like her mind was made up, and no matter what Jessie said, Kai would be going on the trip.
Jessie’s heart raced as she started pulling potatoes out of the hot oven. Oh God…she was going to see Kai again, or hear from him, at least. What would he say, what would he do? Would he agree to come? Would they get one last weekend together? And…was that a good thing, or a truly horrible idea? Either way, it was pointless for Jessie to keep objecting. “Fine, Grandma, I’ll ask him.” Setting the spuds on a plate in front of her, Jessie carefully pulled back the tin foil encasing them. Studying her work, she nonchalantly said, “He’ll probably say no though. He’s busy with stuff.” That would be for the best. He shouldn’t go. Too much could go wrong, and even a flawless trip would be devastating.
Peeking up, Jessie watched as a sly smile crossed her grandmother’s lips. Jessie knew that look, and her heart sank. Her grandmother wasn’t going to let this go. She’d persist until Kai was at the lodge with them. “Nonsense, I won’t let him say no.” As Jessie felt all the blood rush from her face, leaving her cold and pale, her grandmother’s smile widened. “Life is short, Jessica Marie, and you and Kai…you both need to learn to seize opportunities as they arise.”
All Jessie could do was nod at her grandmother’s advice while dread filled her from head to toe. Dread laced with a razor-sharp edge of hope and excitement. She was going to see Kai again. She didn’t want the moment to come, but she couldn’t wait either.
Jessie sat in the backseat of Harmony’s SUV, wondering how she’d gotten here. She ceaselessly worked the zipper of her heavy jacket up and down as anxiety ate at her nerves. The sound of country music filled the spacious cabin, making Jessie cringe. Normally she would annoy Harmony until her friend caved and changed the station, but Jessie didn’t have it in her to make a peep. Kai was sitting directly beside her.
Glancing over at him from the corner of her eye, she secretly studied him as he stared out the window. He was relentlessly wringing his hands together, and seemed to be feeling as odd and uneasy as she was. Having him right next to her again was pounding her with several conflicting emotions—elation, trepidation, sorrow and regret. Tearing her gaze away, Jessie looked up at the front seat. Harmony was explaining the condition of the slopes. She’d heard from some friends who had just returned that the snow was perfect—fast and deep. Jessie was a good skier and could handle the more advanced slopes, but she’d mainly be on the lower trails this weekend, helping Kai learn the basics. She hadn’t seen him for nearly four weeks, and now she would practically be glued to his side. She was as eager for that as she was scared. This was exactly why she hadn’t wanted him to come.
She started to look over at him again, but felt his eyes burning into her and stopped. Meeting April’s gaze in the rearview mirror, Jessie froze, then slapped on a friendly smile. She didn’t want to look sad, forlorn, or lovesick in front of the woman who used to date Kai. April was still annoyed at her though, and quickly averted her gaze to the snowy scenery passing by her window.
Jessie was getting sick and tired of April ignoring her. Yes, she’d been horribly rude, and had basically called her a whore, but honestly, girls said far meaner things over much smaller issues. It wasn’t all that long ago that April had told her she was a conniving little cunt for snagging the last pair of 75 percent off boots. Jessie had forgiven her for her comment, why couldn’t April forgive her for hers? Of course, there were no kickass boots in April’s life to make her feel better.
Smiling at the memory of that long-ago spat, Jessie inadvertently swung her gaze to Kai. He was still looking at her, and their gazes instantly locked. Suddenly, it was like they were the only two people in the car. His eyes, a warm tropical color that clashed so harshly with the chill in the December air, bored into hers, and a shiver ran through Jessie, despite the thick layers of clothes she was wearing.