Page 120 of When in December

They were going to change everything Snow Angel had done to this place.

I stepped out into the mudroom, where Oz sat, patiently waiting for me. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my nerves and push away the feeling of wanting to run back inside and kick out the realtor and the couple still exploring every inch of my house.

This is what I wanted, I reminded myself.

It was.

A new start, where I would finally be able to put everything behind me once and for all, was days away. It just wasn’t helping that everywhere I looked in the house, I thought of her. And apparently I wasn’t the only one. Oz, who at some point becamemy dog, started to look for her, likely because of her constant pampering. He probably liked her better, especially when she showered him with gifts including a lifted dog bowl set and collar.Oz—K9was burned into the leather.

Vassar probably would’ve gassed the boy up with how handsome he looked in it. I could also imagine how long Poppy must’ve spent deciding on the color and font before purchasing it.

I had to believe it was all for the project. To get the perfect report from my sister. To get her promotion and move on. Just like I wanted to get back and move on. As best as I could anyway …

But was that all our short yet significant relationship boiled down to? A house renovation she’d completed with determination before going back to her own life as if nothing had changed? As if I was no one to her but the boy she had a crush on in high school.

Doubt lingered. Everything would work according to plan though. That was what she always said.

Or maybe, that was her affirmation app.

But it wasn’t that simple.

Oz ran back up to me, twirling around once with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. I breathed a short chuckle at the sight of him against the snowy backdrop.

“Yeah, Vassar would be pretty happy, knowing you’re here, finally getting to be a dog, huh?”

Oz didn’t answer, but like always, he looked pleased with himself, running back into the yard.

I glanced up at the gray sky. “What do you think, Vass? Any tips about what the hell I’m supposed to do? Come on? Anything to offer your hopeless friend you left here to take care of your dog?”

Again, there was nothing.

I shook my head. Oddly enough, I felt the tiniest curve to my lips.

I cupped my hands in front of me, letting my elbows rest on my knees. “Figured I’d give it a shot. Thanks anyway.”

Behind me, the sound of crunching slush rolled up the driveway, though I didn’t think there was another house showing tonight after the last. I narrowed my eyes at a familiar black SUV pulling up, lights passing over me before my sister jumped out the driver’s side.

She was about to head towards the front door when I whistled.

She did a double take before noticing me.

“Aren’t you freezing?” My sister walked to meet me.

I raised my eyebrows, not answering her. I had an appropriate coat on unlike her thin peacoat clearly made for impressing clients rather than warmth. “What are you doing here?”

“Liana lost one of her sweaters. She’s upset, so I thought I’d take a drive and see if she left it here.”

I waved towards the side door. “You can go on in. Realtor is here with a couple looking at the place.”

With a nod, she took a step toward the door. Then, paused. Sighing, she brushed some snow and sat down next to me. “You’re really going through with this?”

“I said I was.” Multiple times.

“Well, you look thrilled.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be going to get a sweater or something inside right now?” I asked.

“How are the home walk-throughs going?” she asked.

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