“To be honest, not much. I use most of my free time to work. I technically have weekends off, but I end up getting bored and working anyway.”
Snow couldn’t help being a little jealous at that. “I mostly spend my weekends with Bluebell. I love spending time with her, but I sometimes wish I could have a bit of time just to myself. My mom can watch her sometimes, but as we live in the same house, I always end up involved with her care anyway.”
“Why don’t you get away sometime? Like a weekend trip?”
“Trips are expensive, and besides, I don’t like to leave Bluebell for too long. She’s used to having me around.”
Amanda nodded. “You’re a good mom, Snow. I’m sure Bluebell really appreciates you. I could tell how much she loved you when the two of you were at my house. What kinds of things does she like?”
Snow grinned. “She loves science. I never liked it in school, but Bluebell can’t get enough of it. I swear she’s going to be a great scientist and discover something awesome one day.”
They chatted about Bluebell for a while more before somehow discussing what movies they liked. Snow loved romances, whereas Amanda was more into thrillers. They both loved to read mystery books, though.
Snow loved talking to Amanda. All vestiges of Amanda’s original rudeness toward her were gone, which left her a pleasant and interesting lunch companion.
When they were both finished, Amanda picked up the bill, despite Snow’s insistence that she could pay her half.
“Don’t worry about it—this one’s my treat. If you’d like, you can get the next one.”
Snow nodded eagerly. She liked the idea that there would be a next one. “This was really nice.”
“Yeah, it was,” Amanda said fervently. “We should definitely do it again.”
Did this mean they were dating now?
Snow didn’t want to risk ruining things by asking, but she hoped so.
13
Amanda was already waiting at the door when Snow rang the bell. She opened it at once, beaming at Snow and Bluebell. “Welcome, please come in. Would you like some tea? Or hot chocolate, Bluebell?”
“Hot chocolate, please!”
“Some tea would be great, thank you.” Snow smiled at Amanda as she took off her coat.
Amanda led them through to the kitchen and started the kettle. She was nervous, even though she had no reason to be.
She hadn’t liked anyone in the way she liked Snow since Nicole. When they were together, everything was perfect, and when they were apart, Amanda dwelled fondly on the time they had spent together, as well as anticipating the next time they would meet.
She was beyond delighted that the Christmas cards had been selling as well as they were, not only because of the satisfaction of a successful business decision, but because it gave her an excuse to see Snow more often.
“So, have you thought about the kinds of shots you want to get?”
Ah, business talk. Now this was something that Amanda could do well. “Not really. I did buy some new Christmas decorations. I figured maybe we could use them somehow?”
“That would be great! I could get a few shots of the three of us decorating one of the trees?”
“That would be perfect. I haven’t put up my tree in the living room yet, so perhaps we could do that one and hit two birds with one stone.”
“Your living room does have great lighting,” Snow agreed. “Then once the tree is done, we can get a few of Bluebell opening some of those wrapped empty boxes you have.”
“No presents?” Bluebell asked from her hot chocolate.
“Amanda already gave you a present, remember?”
“I’ll buy you another one, Bluebell,” Amanda said in a fake whisper.
Snow rolled her eyes. “You’re going to spoil her.”