Page 28 of When the Fake Snow Falls

Candace:

Out. I’ll call you on my walk home.

I put my phone down on the table again, determined not to look at it until I leave. When I look up at Amanda, she takes another sip with that same, smug look on her face.

“Do I even want to know what you’re thinking?” I ask, suddenly feeling more tired than I have all night.

She shrugs innocently. “I’ve just never seen you like this. Usually, you get mildly annoyed when guys call you. You’ll wonder out loud ‘Why can’t he just text me?’ I’ve never seen you so . . .” She gestures toward me with a circling hand. “Flustered.”

“I am not flustered.” Even as the words leave my lips, I feel the need to wipe my brow.

“No, definitely not,” she says with a giggle.

“Can you tell me what’s new with you? Please?” I don’t think I’ve ever felt like more of a spectacle.

She nods, finally giving in. To my surprise, she doesn’t bring up Chase or his company Christmas party for the rest of the night. Instead, we laugh, talk hair, and vent about some of the other stylists who never pick up after themselves. Everything starts to settle into our usual night out with drinks, and bythe time we’re ready to leave, my breathing comes easier, and my cheeks hurt from laughing.

“Have a great weekend!” She waves as she heads left toward her car, and I go right toward my apartment. “And keep me updated!”

She doesn’t have to say the last part is a reference to Chase. I wave goodbye with a slight shake of my head. It isn’t until she turns around that I’m brave enough to look at my phone again. I can only imagine the chain of messages he sent after I ignored his call.

I stare at my phone screen. There’s nothing. Not a single notification from him. I told him I was out, and that I’d call him after, so why am I so disappointed by the sight?

thirteen

I swipemy phone open and press the call button next to his name.

He answers on the second ring. “Hey, Candace.” He sounds calm, and confident, and genuinely happy to hear from me.

“Hey. I’m sorry I couldn’t take your call earlier.”

“Don’t be sorry. Did you have fun?”

“I did.” My words come out a little slow because even though the entire night was fun, I think him asking me to this Christmas party was the most exciting part.

“Well, I hope it wasn’t a date. If it was, he should be the one walking you home right now, not me.”

A chuckle leaves my lips. “No. Not a date. And I’m not sure this counts as you walking me home.”

“Oh, it totally counts. We don’t live in some fairytale city, Candace. Someone should make sure you get home.”

“And you’re that person?”

“I seem to be. It’s not a role I remember signing up for, but it’s one I’m happy to take.” There’s a pause before he adds, “Seriously. If you ever need anything, call me. It doesn’t matterif it’s past midnight or that I’ve just downed three fingers of bourbon . . . twice.”

I pull my phone away from my ear to check the time. It’s not just past midnight, it’s almost one. It feels like Amanda and I only went out for a short time together, but then again, we did end up closing the salon just after 9:30 tonight.

“Shit. I’m sorry. I had no idea how late it was.”

“Candace, stop apologizing. Did you hear me? Call me. Always call me.”

“Yes, but you were apparently drunk when you said that.”

He laughs on the other end, and it brings a smile to my lips. “Not drunk. I just couldn’t sleep. I thought the bourbon might help.”

“And did it?”

“Not even a little.”

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