Page 5 of Snow Place Like Home
Holly shook her head. “I don’t think so, actually. She went on a date a few weeks ago. I think she’s over him and ready to get back out there. She hadn’t seemed all that happy the last few years with Joshua anyway.”
I couldn’t agree more.
A knock on the car window had me turning to see Goldie and Poppy waving at us through the glass, snowflakes falling around them.
We hopped out of the car, and I immediately wrapped my arms around Goldie. “Hey, Sunny. You’re the best-looking reindeer I’ve ever seen.” I was one of the only people she shared her middle name with, and I’d come up with the nickname when we were kids.
She chuckled and tipped her head back. “And you’re quite the actor because my coat is covering most of my outfit.”
“Well, the brown Chucks and the antlers are a nice touch, Dr. Jacobs,” I said, because I hadn’t seen her since I’d flown out to her vet school graduation, and it had a nice ring to it.
“I’ll never get used to that.” She pulled back, using her hands to cover her nose and mouth because it was cold as hell outside.
“Well, well, well,” Poppy Peters said. She’d always been a smart-ass. “It’s Hollywood’s biggest playboy in the flesh.”
“Hollywood’s biggest playboy” was a stretch. Maybe a few years ago that would have been accurate, but not anymore.
“Not really in the flesh—I’m in a green furry suit.” I arched a brow, my gaze never leaving Goldie’s.
“Let’s get inside. It’s freezing out here. Remember to be ready to hit the dance floor when they call you,” Jack said as he, Holly, and Poppy started jogging toward the entrance.
I wrapped an arm around Goldie, an attempt to keep her warm, as we walked side by side.
“You ready for this?” I smirked.
“Am I ready to have everybody ask what happened with Joshua?” she said, making an effort to keep her tone light, but I could tell that she was nervous. “Not really. But I’ll survive.”
I came to a stop. “Damn straight. You’re Goldie Sunshine Jacobs.”
“Not this again.” She feigned annoyance as a wide grin spread across her pretty face. I used to give her pep talks in high school all the time.
“You heard it here. You just tell them that your ex-boyfriend is a wanker, and they can fuck off with their questions. And if you don’t want to say it, I’ll be happy to step in.”
Her sapphire-blue gaze softened, nose red from the cold, as her long blond hair peeked out from beneath her reindeer hood with two antlers sticking out the top of her head. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip, and she nodded. “Are you going to beat up everybody who takes a shot at me, Ace?”
“Always,” I said as she wrapped a hand around my bicep and we made our way inside.
And that is the fucking truth.
I would walk through fire for this girl.
Once we entered the restaurant, it was pure chaos. Goldie was pulled away to help Holly with something, while Suzie and Joe Jacobs introduced me to everyone, most of whom I already knew, showing me off like proud parents.
But every time I searched the room, I found her.
Sunny.
My eyes always managed to find her in a crowded room. It had been that way for as long as I could remember.
And apparently, nothing had changed.
Chapter Three
Goldie
Around thirty-five people were at the rehearsal dinner, and almost every single one outside my immediate family had asked about Joshua. It was exhausting trying to answer appropriately. Ace had stayed true to his promise and interrupted multiple times, somehow managing to change the subject without sounding rude.
The man had a gift.
