Page 1 of Snowed In with My Best Friend's Dad

PROLOGUE

Miranda

It was three days until Christmas, and like a dummy, I was out shopping for my roommate, Lindsey. God. How she and I were such good friends was a mystery to me. We were like oil and water. She came from a rich family with a father who spoiled her. My father might have spoiled me if he had the money, but alas, he didn’t. Like me, Lindsay was raised mostly by a single dad after her parents divorced. I, too, had a single dad after my mother died. But whereas Lindsay’s dad stayed single, mine decided to remarry, and what a disaster that was. Stepmom Loretta left him after spending all the life insurance money my father received following my mother’s death.

But I suppose the biggest difference between Lindsay and me was that she went through life like it was paved with rainbows. Me? If I were going to have rainbows in my life, it was up to me to create them.

It could be hard to be with someone to whom life came so easily, and yet, I thought the world of Lindsay. She was fortunate in life, but she was sweet and kind, and I suppose her sunny exuberance in life was a nice offset to my constant feeling like I was under a cloud.

She was kind enough to invite me to her cabin in Westbrook for a few days during the Christmas break from university classes. I loved my father despite his terrible taste in second wives, but the holidays with him weren’t anything special. Not since my mom died and wife number two took his money and ran. His holiday plans mostly involved drinking with his buddies.

Not that I wanted a fancy Christmas. Like my dad, I hadn’t looked forward to the holiday since my mother died. But I definitely needed time away from Boston. The feeling was especially strong as I made my way through the bitter cold and the throngs of last-minute Christmas shoppers.

I made it to the little paper shop I knew Lindsey liked. She always had colored and patterned papers, pens, stickers, and envelopes around. Inside, I gathered a variety of paper products I thought she might enjoy, such as the paper with the hearts all over it. Yes, I did an eye roll at how girlie that was, but since Lindsey loved hearts, I added it to my bundle and made my way to the cashier.

Once paid, I put the paper products in my large purse to protect them from the cold and wind. Snow was expected tonight, although it had been clear when I’d left to go shopping.

As I opened the door to exit, a large man barged into me, knocking me backward. I stumbled, but it was no use and I landed on my butt.

“You should watch where you’re going.” He had a deep, dark voice that matched his size and attitude. Even so, he held out his hand.

I batted it away.

“I’m trying to help you up.”

“Why? So, you can knock me down again?” I managed to get myself off the floor and got a better look at this jerk. Money. That was my first impression of him. He wore a suit that probably cost three months of my dad’s mortgage payment. The man had silvery blond hair that couldn’t have possibly been real. His gray eyes watched me, and I wondered whether he worried he’d gotten germs from having touched a lowly peon like me.

“Are you okay?”

“Do you really care?” I asked, righting my purse strap over my shoulder.

His eyes flashed with annoyance. “Are you always this rude to people who try to help you?”

I gaped. “You knocked me down!”

For a moment, he stared at me. It occurred to me that I should be leaving, so why was I still there gawking at him?

Finally, he sighed. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“What? Why?” Was he trying to be nice? Or was it something more? It couldn’t be more. He had to be nearly twice my age. Plus, with his suave demeanor and money, he likely had his pick of fancy women.

“To make it up to you.”

“You could just say sorry.”

His lips twitched upward slightly, and it annoyed me more that he was amused by me. “I’m sorry. Can I buy you a drink?”

“That’s not necessary.” My phone buzzed with a notification in my purse. I pulled it out to find a message from Lindsay.

Going over to visit Liam.Probably won’t be home tonight. Stay safe.

Another evening alone.That was okay. I could get ahead on reading assignments due next semester. Or I could begin thinking about looking for a job once I graduated in June.

“Bad news?” the aggressive stranger asked.

“No. Just an update from my roommate.”

“About the drink?”

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