“Yeah.” I pull my phone from my pocket. “I thought Felix and the others would be back by now.”

“Zero chance his car is making it on those roads until they clear them.”

“Crap, you’re probably right.”

I FaceTime Stella. She answers, holding up our parent’s cat, Whiskers. “Look how big he’s getting.”

“You’re still in Scottsdale?”

“Yeah. The guys decided to play nine holes of golf while the carpet cleaners were here. They should be back any minute. How are things with—”

“You need to hurry. It’s snowing. Like a lot. The roads are totally covered, and it does not look like it’s stopping any time soon.”

Her brows pull together in the middle, and she lowers Whiskers. “Hold on. Felix just got here.”

I listen as she relays the info to my brother. A minute later, Teddy’s phone rings. Stella and I are quiet while they talk.

Teddy paces in front of the window, looking out at the snow still falling. He brings one arm up and rubs the back of his neck as he says, “Not a chance your car can get through right now. Hopefully they get a plow out here soon.”

“What’d you do today?” Stella asks.

“Umm...” I’m distracted. It’s not easy, trying to eavesdrop on Teddy, and carry on a conversation with Stella. “We baked cookies and then got a tree.” I move the phone, so she can see the tree sitting in the living room.

My twin smiles. “Sounds fun.”

Felix says something to her, and she looks away from the phone.

“Looks like we’re staying put until the snow stops.”

“Really?”

“Felix doesn’t think his car will make it.”

“Who buys a front-wheel drive car?” I ask loud enough that hopefully he can hear me.

“Everyone in Arizona,” Stella says. “On the plus side, skiing will be awesome tomorrow.”

“If you manage to get here,” I mumble.

“Oh, cheer up, Hol. Sometimes you have to make the most with the cards you’re dealt.”

“Did you read that in a fortune cookie?”

“Made it up. Just now.” Her eyes widen. “Go havefun. I’ll check in later.”

“Bye, Stell.”

She kisses the phone and then ends the call.

The awkwardness that I feared all day sets in as the snow piles up. I lose all hope that my siblings are going to make it back when I check the weather app on my phone, and it says the snow is supposed to continue all night long.

My stomach is uneasy, but it rumbles for food.

“Hungry?” I ask Teddy.

He nods. “Always.”

“I’ll make dinner.”


Tags: Rebecca Jenshak Romance