Page 3 of Snowed In on Valentine's Day

He raised one eyebrow then, the most expressive thing I’d seen from him so far.

“I mean, after tonight. Or … maybe after New Year’s Eve? Yes, it’ll be my New Year’s resolution. And then changing jobs.”

I bit my lip, considering another idea. “Maybe I’ll take a break from dating too. Or is that too many resolutions? It’s hard to make a lot of changes at once.” I looked at him for an answer, for some reason, though I knew he wouldn’t supply one. “Well, why not? Doesn’t hurt to try, does it?” I offered a small smile.

After a long moment of silence, his deep voice rumbled out of his chest, as though he rarely used it. “Are you done?”

I blinked a few times quickly. Am Idone? Was he really asking me—

One look at his frown, and I knew. He wanted me to shut up.

And in the morning, I’d wish I had.

Chapter 2

“Hazel,” came a muffled whisper.

Still muffled, the voice became louder and more insistent. “Haz, wake up …”

As awareness crept into my mind unwelcome, I groaned, burying my face into the fluffy pillow.

This can’t be happening. Not again.

My head was going to explode, and my throat felt like Death Valley. And I was pretty sure some random guy’s eyes would soon be meeting mine, just inches away. As soon as I could lift my head to see …

But no. Better to feign suffocation via pillow, I think. Maybe he’ll take the hint and leave.

“Hazel Rei!” came a booming voice as he shook my shoulders. “Wake up!”

I tried to lift my head, but the stabbing pain kept it firmly on the pillow. Instead, I managed to turn it to the side, toward the voice. “Please, don’t scream at me,” I pleaded, still squeezing my eyes shut. “Just … you can just go now,” I mumbled. But as more awareness seeped in, I realized the voice wasn’t coming from the other side of the bed. And, wait, it wasn’t very masculine. Plus, what were the odds I’d told some random guy my middle name?

I opened one eye slowly and then the other. Before I could fully register the look onherface, I snapped my eyes shut again. The pain, oh the pain.

“Hazel,” Mariana said, this time not quite as loud. “You’ve got to sit up. I’ve got the ibuprofen ready. Lots of water.” When I didn’t stir, she added, “And a coffee.”

My eyes flew open then.

Coffee. Yes.

I tried to gather my strength and sit up. Wincing as my head pounded, I looked at my best friend as she sat next to me with a sympathetic smile.

“That bad, huh?” She handed me the painkiller capsules and water bottle.

I nodded and started chugging the water before grimacing.

“Woah, take it easy, Haz,” said Mariana in a soothing yet loud voice. “You know you have to drink slowly when you’re hung over.”

“Ah—” I croaked. After a difficult swallow, I sipped some more water. Then she handed me the steaming mug, and I managed a smile. “Thanks.”

“Listen, I wouldn’t have bothered you, but it’s 10 o’clock, and—” She paused, seeing my finger over my lips in a shushing expression. Not shouting this time, she continued, “We have one last brunch date before my trip. I couldn’t miss this—”

“Your honeymoon! Not just a trip,” I managed before taking several blissful sips of coffee. I sighed. “You’re right. I’m going to miss you so much, lady.” I tried to ignore the pounding in my skull with every word I spoke.

“I’ll miss you too. Honestly, I’m nervous about leaving. I’ve never taken a vacation since owning the resort.” Her usually smooth forehead was crinkled as she turned vulnerable eyes toward me. I was so proud of her. The Mari I’d known for mostof our years of friendship had been so closed off emotionally, but she’d finally learned to share and experience her feelings—andlife—more fully.

I reached over and squeezed her hand briefly. “You lovebirds are going to have an amazing time. And you deserve it after this crazy holiday season, am I right? With aweddingin the midst of it all!”

She nodded, her shoulder-length strawberry blond hair bouncing up and down. She was wearing her hair natural and wavy today, in contrast to the perfectly straightened blonde hair she’d carefully maintained for every waking second before she’d had an epiphany and reunited with Terry over a year ago. “The holiday season was intense, yeah. I think our first year running the Christmas village went well though. Jane told Terry she was proud of us. She’d never tell me herself though, of course,” she said with a laugh as she sipped her tea. She was right though. Jane, who was married to Terry’s grandmother, had previously owned the Christmas village—the heart of their town—until this year, but she liked to give Mariana a hard time.

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