Page 15 of Destined For Forever

“What kind of weather is this?” he moaned as he pulled Lily’s suitcase out of the back of the car and handed it to her. “People actually live in this? Like, every winter?”

Lily laughed. She’d also pulled on her coat and had a scarf wrapped around her neck. “Yes, people do live where there is snow in winter. Lots of people, actually.”

“Spot the Aussie, eh? I don’t think I’ve ever been this cold in my life.” He picked up his pace, desperate to get inside and warm up. “This is inhumane.”

The snow was coming down harder now, and the wind picked up speed. He had to stop himself staring in wonder at all the white shimmering around him. He’d never seen anything like it. But there would be time to admire the snow once he was inside and warm.

“Sean Hutcherson, how the bloody hell are ya?” A booming Aussie accent cut through the weather, and Ethan Hammersmith came striding toward the car. He was a tall dude, built like a Viking and had the blond hair and blue eyes to match. “Welcome to my little slice of paradise.”

“Not sure I’d call it paradise, mate. It’s colder than the shady side of an iceberg out here.” Sean chuckled. “You remember Lily, right?”

“So nice to see you.” Ethan pulled Lily in for a friendly hug. “Now let’s get you folks inside.”

“What on earth made you want to live here?” Sean asked as he pulled the last bag from the back of the car.

Ethan glanced over his shoulder toward the inn, where the front door was open, and a woman stood leaning against the doorframe. A warm glow emanated from behind her, lighting up her fiery red hair. “It’s quite a story.”

Ethan motioned for them to follow him inside. The snow made a strange squeaking sensation under Sean’s boots, and he had to keep his head ducked so the white stuff didn’t get into his eyes.

“Come in, come in.” The woman with the red hair stepped back and smiled, her body cocooned in a fluffy green jumper. “Welcome to the Forever Falls Inn. Give your feet a stomp before you come inside.”

Sean dislodged the snow from the tread on his boots, and then he stepped through the door. The foyer was inviting, with a crackling fireplace visible through an archway. Fairy lights were wrapped around the railing of a vast staircase and the warmth was a welcome relief to his stinging hands.

“Sean and Lily, this is my partner in crime, Monroe. Roe, meet my old schoolmates.” Ethan closed the door behind them while everyone shook hands.

“It’s a pleasure. I’m so thrilled to finally meet people from Ethan’s life back in Australia.” Monroe went to Ethan and slipped an arm around his waist. “We haven’t made the trip out there, yet.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Sean joked. “Nothing is worth twenty-four hours of travel.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to him. It’s a wonderful place to visit.”

“Where’s everyone else?” Sean asked, looking around.

Monroe and Ethan exchanged a glance, and he sighed. “Not good news, I’m afraid. They’re stuck.”

“Who?” Lily and Sean said at the same time.

“Everyone.” Ethan shook his head. “The storm wasn’t supposed to hit us head on like this. The forecast said it would skate past, bringing a little extra snow, but nothing this bad.”

“Evie called to let us know she and Jasper are still stuck in New York,” Monroe added. “The airline cancelled their flight, so they’re staying overnight at an airport hotel and hopefully getting in tomorrow.”

Lily dug her phone out of her bag and frowned. “Uh oh. Looks like Mum and Dad’s flight has been cancelled as well.”

“Travel this time of year can be like that. Don’t worry,” Monroe reassured her with a smile. “There’ll be plenty of flights heading out tomorrow once the storm has moved on.”

“You two have the run of the entire place tonight,” Ethan said.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sean saw Lily’s gaze flick over to him, but she looked away before he could figure out what she thought about this turn of events. A night alone with his fake girlfriend?

Now why did that sound like a surprise benefit to this whole situation?

Two hours later, Lily and Sean sat at the dining table with Ethan and Monroe, everyone feeling full after devouring a delicious meal. Monroe had brought treats from her business, a bakery named Some Like it Sweet, which included mini cinnamon apple cupcakes and truffles fashioned to look like tiny Christmas puddings.

“I haven’t eaten that well in forever,” Lily said, leaning back and making a pleased hmmm sound in the back of her throat. “Seriously, it feels like everyone in LA lives on kale smoothies and crystal powders designed to heal your chakras.”

Monroe snorted. “That sounds like my personal nightmare.”

“Mine too. I’ve certainly done my share of subsisting on frozen pizza during the deadline crunch. It’s hard to be motivated to cook for one.” The words popped out before she could think about what they meant. She’d have to be on her guard all weekend, remembering that she wasn’t single… at least for the next few days. “Especially when I’m eating dinner while he’s eating breakfast.”

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