Page 59 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Dahlia hurried over to her. “Can I get you anything? Do you need me to call Dex?”
“I’ve already spoken to him. He told me to drink plenty of fluids and put my feet up.” Rose rested her head in her palms. “He’s going to swing by later and pick me up so I can spend the afternoon at his place. After I take you to the airport, I mean.”
Dahlia frowned. “I don’t think you should be driving me.”
“I’m with Dahlia on this one,” Emma said. “You shouldn’t drive if you feel this bad.”
Nash joined them at the table. “I’ll see if JJ can do it.”
Dahlia stiffened at the mention of his name. She had to physically force herself to relax as Nash continued.
“He was asking if he could take the morning off to go check on his cabin before the storm hits.” Nash glanced her way. “It’s on the way to the airport, so if you don’t mind swinging past there first…”
The anxiety that twisted her insides wanted to protest. She didn’t have time for detours!
But she did, and they all knew it.
She’d allotted plenty of time to get to the airport, and if the cabin was on the way, how could she say no?
“Sure. As long as I don’t miss my flight.” Dahlia had to force a smile.
“Great, then I’ll give him a call,” Nash said.
Emma beamed at her like she’d just offered to donate a kidney or something.
Dahlia’s smile faltered. Why hadn’t she argued? Or seen if someone else could drive her?
She crossed her arms as she listened to Nash talking on the phone to JJ.
This was… not ideal. And not just because she didn’t want to make a detour. She’d done a stellar job of avoiding JJ all day yesterday. She didn’t want to see him again, let alone have another long drive together.
Her feelings when he was around were too… fuzzy and confusing. Toomessy.
She didn’t do messy. Especially not when she was about to get on a plane for the East Coast and had no intention of coming back until just before the baby was due, which wasn’t until June.
Her eyes darted to Emma as she thought about being on the wedding crew. But she could still help with planning an event she had no intention of attending, right? They’d all understand if she didn’t come. It wasn’t like New York was the next state over, and she couldn’t keep flying back and forth for every little thing.
A wedding is not just a little thing!
She winced at the thought but cleared her expression when Nash turned to smile at her.
She’d only half heard his end of the conversation, but it was clear that JJ agreed to this new plan.
So good. Awesome. Now she and JJ could have another road trip.
Nash leaned over to kiss Emma goodbye. “Be careful on those roads, all right?”
“I’m always careful,” she shot back with a grin.
“I know, but if the storm hits while you’re at school…” He frowned in concern. “I’ll come pick you up. Your car can always stay at the school overnight. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
Emma gave him such a sweet, loving look that Dahlia had to glance away, her heart giving a little ache.
This time she wasn’t forced to wait around for JJ. He showed up right after Nash walked out the door. His gaze collided with hers the second he appeared, and she couldn’t look away.
Not even when he smiled. And that smile…
She swallowed hard. What was it about that smile that made her feel like her insides were unraveling?
