Page 88 of Snow Bound

Lola frowned. “Hang on. When was this scene?”

Anna cleared her throat. “Yesterday afternoon.”

Lola’s eyes were narrowed in suspicion. “And what kind of scene was it?”

Anna began fitting the lid back on her ice cream carton, taking an extreme—and unnecessary—level of care to get it on just right. “Interrogation.”

“Intense?”

The lid was a little crooked, so Anna started again. “Yes.”

“Emotional?”

Anna wanted to squirm, but Lola was in lawyer mode, and any sign of weakness could mean instant death. “I suppose.”

“And less then twenty-four hours later, he let you drive away.”

“He didn’t exactly have a choice,” Anna mumbled.

Lola sat up straighter, the sweatshirt sliding off one pale shoulder. “What does that mean?”

“I kind of…left without telling him.” Anna bit her lip. “While he was asleep.”

Lola just stared, and this time the shock in her eyes wasn’t pretend. “You what?”

“I texted him so he’d know I was safe,” Anna said defensively.

“Oh, well, that makes it all okay, then.” With fury sparking in her eyes, she reached out and slapped a hand upside Anna’s head. “What the hell is the matter with you?”

Anna reached up to rub the sting out of her scalp. “I told you I fucked up.”

“That’s the understatement of the century.” Lola dragged her hands through her hair. “I’m going to kill this guy.”

Startled out of her sulk, Anna blinked. “Why?”

“Because I can’t kill you, and he should’ve been paying closer attention.” Mouth grim, eyes fierce, Lola set her ice cream on the coffee table. “I can’t believe you snuck out in the middle of the night.”

“It was five a.m., not the middle of the night,” Anna muttered under her breath and cringed under Lola’s stony regard.

“You know how fragile your emotions can be after a scene like that,” Lola accused.

“I wasn’t thinking,” Anna wailed. “Literally. It was pure panic, and before I knew it I was headed to the airport in Grant’s truck.”

“Because you were dropping, you doorknob,” Lola said, disgusted, then blinked. “In Grant’s truck?”

“I tried to book a car service, but they weren’t answering their phone,” Anna explained, hating the whine in her voice. “And it’s such a small town, I couldn’t get a ride share.”

Lola looked stunned. “So you stole his truck?”

“Borrowed,” Anna corrected. Somehow that distinction seemed very important. “I sent him a text, so he’d know where to find it. And I left some cash in the console to cover the parking fee.”

Lola just stared, unblinking for so long that Anna felt compelled to defend herself. The trouble was, her actions were indefensible. “I told you I fucked up.”

“And you were right,” Lola said and started laughing.

Anna scowled. “You know, you could give me some sympathy here. You’re supposed to be my best friend.”

“I’m saving it for when you really need it,” Lola said, still laughing. “Like when he turns your butt into taco meat for this.”

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