Page 67 of See You Next Winter
“Deal,” she says quickly, slapping her hand over her mouth as if that will take it back.
“Tomorrow?”
“Not unless you want this lot to join us,” she says.
“Are you all staying with Kayla?”
“No,” Katie tells me. “We’re in the three-bed rental.”
“Nice. And is she staying with you, or will someone help her get home?”
“We think you should help her get home,” one of the other friends says.
“No problem,” I say at the same time Kayla speaks.
“Absolutely not. No. Not allowed to take me home. No way.”
“OK ladies. If there’s one thing I know about Miss McInnes here, it’s that we don’t argue with her, ever. What Kayla wants, Kayla gets, but I’m gonna need some reassurance from one of you that you’ll text me and tell me she got home safe. Deal?”
All four of them shove their phones in my direction and I make a big scene about saving my number in all of them, telling them I hope they keep in touch. Kayla does her best impression of a scowl, and before I get back to work, I tap the little snowflake dangling at the hollow of her throat and give her a wink.
“Cute necklace, Bunny.”
Chapter 52
Ryan
Eighteen Winters Ago / Age Ten
Last year, our parentspromised we could go to the very top of the mountain when we turned ten, and today is the day.Dad takes a million photos, but I want to get going.
“Race you to the bottom, Bunny.”
“Why do you keep calling me Bunny?”
“Because your braids look like rabbit ears when you wear them like that. And your nose wrinkles when you laugh.”
“Does not.”
“It does.” I tap her on the tip of her nose. It’s cold and pink. “Boop! You’re a bunny with two bunny ears and a little bunny nose.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever seen a real rabbit,” she says, sliding past me. “Last one down is a rotten egg!”
Chapter 53
Kayla
For what is, apparently,our second date, Ryan invites me over for dinner at his parent’s chalet. Whatever the fuck that’s supposed to mean.
Any other time we’ve been alone in this house, we’ve headed straight for his bedroom and stripped as fast as possible. It feels awkward to be here for any other purpose, but what does it say I’m more comfortable around him with my clothes off than on?
Nobody’s lighting fires this early, and without Cheryl’s beautiful tree in the corner, and sparkling decorations hanging from the mantlepiece, the house feels bare. It’s like I’ve slipped into some dream state, a familiar location with an unfamiliar mindset.
“You can sit,” he tells me, but sitting down feels far too formal. This isn’t right. I’m not supposed to be here.He’snot supposed to be here. The plan was to live my best life without giving him a second thought.
Instead, he’s everywhere.
In all the shops, working in my favourite bar, in my friend’s text messages after swapping numbers to make sure I got home after Allie and Mel’s pre-wedding celebrations.
