Page 27 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
That’s exactly how I felt with Jace around. It’s like she has snooped through my head, privy to all my thoughts.
I can’t help but feel like she’s purposely saying this in front of me, trying to get under my skin. And, damn it, it’s working.
But I won’t give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, I plaster a tight smile on my face and nod, forcing myself to speak calmly. “That’s…nice, Chloe. I’m glad you feel that way.” My voice sounds foreign, like it’s coming from someone else.
Chloe’s eyes flick to me, and for a brief second, I see a flash of something in her gaze—satisfaction, maybe?—before she quickly masks it with another bright smile.
“Thanks, Emily. I really appreciate that. I mean, it’s just so nice to see everyone again and reconnect. And who knows? Maybe this wedding will be the start of something new for a lot of us.”
I nod again, even as my mind is racing.
Just then, Hailey gets a text on her phone.
“The boys are back,” she says, her voice brightening. “They’re out in the front lobby. Let’s go.”
Chloe immediately perks up, adjusting her hair and giving her lipstick a quick swipe. She’s walking ahead of us, checking her reflection in every shiny surface she passes. I roll my eyes at her and make a face behind her back. Hailey catches my expression and bites back a laugh.
“Honestly, Emily,” she whispers, shaking her head. “I swear, I had no idea Chloe would be coming to deliver the flowers herself. She told me she’d send someone, but I guess she decided to make it a personal mission.”
I shrug, trying to act nonchalant. “It’s fine, Hailey. Really. I’m just here for you, remember?”
Hailey looks at me gratefully, but then her phone buzzes again. She glances at it, her face scrunching up in confusion. “Why is Jace saying ‘brace yourself’?”
I blink, then glance around the hallway. “Are you getting a signal on your phone?”
Hailey nods, still looking puzzled. “Yeah, why?”
I smirk, trying to lighten the mood. “They probably don’t want you to pass out when you see the flowers.”
“As long as Chloe stuck to my instructions and got the flowers right, I’ll be fine.”
“And if not, do I smell murder?” I say. “I’ll even help you take care of the body.”
Hailey laughs.
We step into the lobby, and my eyes widen as I take in the sight in front of us. Hailey freezes next to me, all the color draining from her face. I can barely believe what I’m seeing.
The guys are standing around a cluster of pots filled with what must have once been beautiful flowers, but now they’re just sad, frozen, wilted things. Frost clings to every petal and leaf, turning them into a patchwork of icy, drooping messes.
“Oh no!” Chloe gasps dramatically, rushing over to the pots. “They must have been frozen in the car!”
“Yeah, no shit, Sherlock,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. The words echo louder than I intend, and suddenly all eyes are on me.
The guys turn to look at me, their expressions ranging from amused to exasperated. But Jace—he just keeps staring.
For a moment, I think I see something in his eyes, but then he looks back to Chloe, who’s still fussing over the dead plants like she’s trying to bring them back to life with sheer determination.
I can’t stand it.
But I have to push that aside. Hailey needs me right now.
“Oh, my flowers,” Hailey murmurs, her voice thin and fragile. “They’re all ruined…”
I turn back to Hailey, just in time to see her swaying on her feet, her face pale as a ghost. “Hailey!” I catch her just as she starts to slump, guiding her over to a nearby chair. “Here, sit down. It’s okay. We’ll figure something out.”
She sinks into the chair, her hands trembling as she covers her face. “What am I going to do? The wedding is tomorrow, and my flowers...”
I kneel beside her, squeezing her hand. “Hey, we’ll sort this out. I promise. We’ve still got time, and there has to be a way to fix this.”
