Page 40 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“I don’t know. He seems very reserved. Not shy, but like he’s… careful. Does that make sense?”
“It does.”
“We also got interrupted when we were saying goodbye. Another one of the school moms showed up. She’s very much not single, but she acts like it.” She rolled her eyes. “She flirts with him every time they’re around each other. It’s so gross.”
“Oh my gosh, I think I know who you’re talking about. Is she the one who gives off mean girl vibes?”
She nodded. “That’s probably her.”
“Well, that sucks. Hopefully, you’ll see each other at drop-off, and he’ll ask you out.”
“I hope so, too. At least, I think I do. I don’t exactly trust my taste in men.”
“Come on, you were seventeen last time. Who has good judgment then?”
“I guess. I just don’t want to get my hopes up.”
I didn’t blame her. I didn’t want her to get her hopes up, either. Not that I was opposed to her dating someone. But if he hurt her, I’d have to plan a murder.
“Don’t stress about it. You’ll see him this week, and I bet he asks you out.”
She smiled. “Thanks. If he does, you can watch her, right?”
“Obviously. Just not Tuesday. I might have a thing.”
“What thing?”
I hesitated. I wasn’t going to lie to my sister, but I knew Jensen needed me to be discreet. I’d wait and tell her the whole story—every detail—when it was over. Then I’d only be keeping it from her for a little while, and only because it was necessary to get the job done.
Besides, it wouldn’t have been the first time one of us kept a secret from the other. We were close, but we didn’t share everything.
“Work thing. For the strike.”
She made a face. “Yuck.”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
A happy Annabel shriek carried through the window.
“What is she doing out there?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Nina got up and went to the window. “Oh… my… You have to come see this.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Just look.”
I stood and joined her by the window. And I couldn’t believe what I saw.
Annabel was having a snowball fight. With Jensen Lakes.
He had his back to a small tree—it didn’t provide much cover—while he packed snow in his hands. Annabel threw a snowball that crumbled when it landed about a foot away from him. Then she ducked behind her blue plastic sled, using it as a shield.
Jensen threw his snowball and clearly missed on purpose. It hit the side of the house with a splat.
“Missed!” Annabel yelled and laughed.
Holding her sled in front of her, she crept closer. Jensen didn’t bother standing behind the tree. He watched her come, a bewildered smile on his face.
