Page 100 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“Do you regret it?” she says, still not looking at me.
“What?”
She finally looks. “Do you regret what happened earlier? Is that why you want me to make a decision?”
“That’s not it,” I say.
“Then what is it?” she says. “Do you regret passing me around?”
“What?” I say aghast. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“You know what I mean.” She takes a deep breath. “What happened in the closet, and then with me kissing you all.”
“Emily—”
“Do you think this is some kind of a twisted game? You think I’m doing this for fun, and that it’s not hurting me?”
“That’s not true at all,” I say, reaching for her. “Emily, I told you what I want. I never want to hurt you. Emily, I love you?—”
Before she can answer, the elevator door opens and Collie steps out.
“Emily, Whit’s been asking for you.”
Emily’s face hardens slightly at the mention of Whit. She glances at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty, before turning back to Collie. “Where is he?”
“He’s in the infirmary. He’s adamant about seeing you,” Collie replies, glancing between the two of us as if she can sense the tension.
“Emily—” I begin.
Emily looks at me, but there’s something final in her eyes. “I should go.”
And just like that, she leaves. I watch her walk away, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. I don’t understand what’s happening anymore. Whit? Why is she even giving him the time of day? Everything between us, between all of us, it’s unraveling.
But I did mean what I said before. I don’t think she believes me, though.
A few hours later, I’m in Hailey’s room, watching her get ready for the wedding. She’s sitting in front of the mirror, her makeup half-done, but there’s a somberness in her expression that doesn’t belong on a bride’s face.
She glances at me through the mirror, her voice soft. “I feel horrible about what happened with Emily.”
I look at her, surprised. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Hailey about the fight, about Chloe and the mess that she stirred up.
She turns around in her chair, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her dress. “I said things in the heat of the moment, and…I regret it. Emily’s been my best friend for years, and I let Chloe get into my head. I didn’t even give her a chance to explain. I made all these accusations.”
“Aren’t you curious though?” I say.
“I saw how happy you are with her. Now I don’t know what kind of arrangement you’ve got going, and it’s none of my business so long as you’re content.”
Her words sucker punch me. She’s right. Even with Axel, Ben and Tanner involved, this is the happiest I’ve been in a while.
“Hailey…” I start, but she holds up a hand.
“No, let me finish,” she says, her voice shaking slightly. “I was wrong. I know she’s going through a lot. And I’ve been so caught up in my own stress that I didn’t stop to think about what she must be feeling.”
I nod.
“I hope you and the others are treating her good, at least better than I did,” she says.
“I might have messed up a little but I’m trying to make it up to her.”
