Page 13 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Thinking about Whit gives me pause. Is he already here? My phone is in the car and I can’t check my messages. I lost everything when the rental car went down, so I have nothing to change into. I wonder where Hailey is right now. Thank God she’s around my size.
I pick up the room phone and dial reception.
“Hello, this is Collie. How can I help you?”
“Hi, Collie. This is Emily, the, um, new arrival,” I say, trying to sound more composed than I feel. “Can you tell me where Hailey is staying?”
“Oh, of course, dear. She’s in Room 204, just down the hall from you,” Collie says kindly. “Should be just around the corner.”
“Thanks, Collie,” I say, hanging up before heading out into the hallway again.
I take a deep breath as I walk to Hailey’s room, trying to push away thoughts of Jace and his friends. This is about Hailey, not about me and whatever mess is going on in my head. I need to focus on why I’m here—my best friend’s wedding.
When I reach her room, I knock gently on the door. A few moments later, it swings open, and there’s Hailey, looking radiant despite the late hour. Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing a cozy sweater and leggings, but she still looks effortlessly beautiful.
“Emily!” she exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re here! I was worried with the storm and everything. I tried calling you, but it wouldn’t go through.”
“I know, I was stuck in the storm.”
She gasps. “Oh, my God. Are you okay?”
I hug her back, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little shaken up.”
“Are you sure? I feel like it’s my fault. You’re here because of me. Maybe I should have reconsidered the location, considering the fact that we’re going into the December winter.”
“Stop. I’m fine and I’m here now. Enough about that—how are you? How’s everything going with the wedding?”
Hailey steps aside, waving me into the room. It’s a bit larger than mine, with a few more decorations scattered around—bridal magazines on the table, a bouquet of flowers on the dresser, and a garment bag hanging in the corner, presumably holding her wedding dress.
“It’s been crazy, but good crazy,” Hailey says with a laugh as I sit down on the edge of the bed. “Everyone’s running around, making sure everything’s perfect. Sam’s been a nervous wreck, but I’m just so excited. I can’t believe it’s actually happening!”
I smile, genuinely happy for her. “I’m so happy for you, Hailey.”
“Thanks, Em,” she says, sitting down next to me. “But what about you? You look a little shaken up.”
“The storm was scary. I was actually rescued by your brother and his friends.”
Hailey gasps. “Oh my God. Jace didn’t tell me.”
“We just got in,” I say. “I lost the rental?—”
“We’ll sort that out, don’t worry,” Hailey says. I don’t doubt her. Her family is filthy rich.
“It’s just that,” I say, feeling embarrassed, “I don’t have any clean clothes on me.”
“Say no more,” she says, walking over to her closet and pulling out clothes. “Take a shower and freshen up. I’m sure you could use it after everything. I’ll put the clothes outside for you to wear.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling grateful. It’s been months since I last saw Hailey, but our bond remains the same.
I head into the bathroom and take a long, hot shower, letting the water wash away the chill from my bones. As the warmth seeps into my muscles, I feel some of the tension start to melt away.
I run a hand through my damp hair as I walk back into Hailey’s room, feeling a bit more human after a hot shower. The steam had helped clear my mind, if only a little. Wearing Hailey’s clothes—an oversized sweatshirt and a pair of leggings—feels oddly comforting.
As I enter, I see Hailey pacing back and forth, her brow furrowed with worry. “Hailey? What’s going on?”
She stops and turns to me, her face pale. “You really got me worried about the storm, Em. I started calling some of my vendors to make sure everything was okay, and even though my wedding planner says everything is fine, she told me to be prepared just in case. I’m not prepared, Em.”
“Hailey—” I begin. The wedding planner should have been a little more tactful. “It’s going to be okay.”
