Page 119 of Let It Snow
Here I am now.
Sitting outside his house…
I catch sight of a figure moving past one of the windows, and a moment later the front door opens. Someone steps out onto the porch. I guess it’s Snow’s dad, Lake Nolan.
My heart leaps into my throat. Every step he takes toward my car feels like a ripple of nervous shivers running down my spine.
I can’t just sit here with the window closed. That would be rude. So I lower it and swallow hard, my mouth dry as sand.
Lake’s first look is kind and open, like maybe he thinks I’m just lost and about to ask for directions. But then his gaze lingers on my face, and I can almost see the gears turning in his head. I wonder if he’s seen me in campaign photos with my husband, or if Snow has told him about me or even shown him my picture himself.
After twelve years, there must have been a moment like that. At some point his parents had to notice their son disappearing for hours at a time and ask the obvious question. I know Snow’s close to his dad. They don’t talk much, true, but they understand each other.
"Theo Kellan?"
Right. He’s figured it out. I clear my throat, though it does nothing for the tightness there, and I nod.
Silence. Oh, it’s long. Too long.
It’s hard to read his face. But, frankly, just looking at him is fascinating. I haven’t known many people bonded to their True Mate, but he’s living proof of how powerful that magic is. The man is sixty-two, looking half of it.
It’s a little embarrassing. I’m forty-two, and while I’ve taken good care of myself and don’t exactly look my age, standing next to him… well, to anyone on the outside we look like peers. For some reason, that makes this whole situation even more awkward. For fuck’s sake, I had sex with his son!
I blurt out, "I know showing up here is awkward, but I really need to talk to Snow."
He still doesn’t say anything, just tilts his head slightly and studies me. I cough again, trying to get a more normal tone into my voice.
"We broke up two weeks ago, but I—"
"You broke up? I thought you were never together. You have a husband."
Interesting. Words that could sound like an accusation from someone else come out of his mouth more like a simple statement of fact. He’s not judging me, just asking where things stand.
This time I stop myself from clearing my throat again, because that would just look ridiculous.
So my voice comes out a little rough. "Yeah, I know how it looks. But my husband and I have an open marriage, so I wasn’t hurting anyone."
"I see. But if Snow ended things, what are you doing here?" His brows lift slightly. Again, no judgment, no hostility. Just calm neutrality.
"I just want to talk to him for a few minutes. It won’t take long."
Another silence, even more prolonged. Lake Nolan looks at me like he’s trying to see straight through me.
Finally he says, "I’ll ask him if he wants to talk to you." He turns to go, but I reach out fast and grab his forearm.
"Please don’t. He… he said…" I lose track of my words. "I just need to explain a few things to him. And just say goodbye. After twelve years, I didn’t even get that much. I just want to look him in the eyes and thank him for the good things between us."
My voice speeds up nervously. Of course, part of what we shared was incredible sex, but Lake Nolan doesn’t need to know that. Not that he doesn’t already suspect what the focal point of our relationship was, but still.
He looks down at my hand gripping his arm. The silence stretches before he finally nods slowly.
"All right. Even though I shouldn’t, ’cause I’m his dad. But only if you promise me this: if Snow tells you to leave and never come back, you will never return here and never try to contact him again. Agreed?"
"Yes. I just need this one conversation. After that, I won’t come back. I promise."
Lake steps back, and I roll up the window, open the door, and step out of the car.
Turns out I’m a little shorter than him. At five-six, he’s got two inches on me. His frame is lean, and his long platinum hair is tied back in a braid. Pretty gorgeous guy.
