Page 23 of Snowed In with My Best Friend's Dad

She began to eat but remained quiet. The severing of whatever the fuck had connected last night was complete. Soon, she’d be on her way. She’d be back to her life, and I’d be back to mine.

So why did I feel like shit?

8

Miranda

Iwoke up this morning disoriented. Why was I sleeping on the floor?

When my eyes popped open and I saw the fireplace, the night before came flooding back. Christmas decorating, hot chocolate with peppermint liqueur, and incredible sex. Just as before, I was shocked at my behavior. But unlike last time, I also felt guilty for knowingly sleeping with my roommate's father. But if I was going to be completely honest with myself, I had no regrets. Brett had been sweet, sexy, naughty, and I loved every moment of it.

My only real concern was whether being with him now would ruin me for relationships in the future. I couldn't imagine any other man making me feel the way Brett made me feel.

I had turned over, wondering if perhaps the morning could start the way the night before had ended, but Brett hadn't been there. It was a reminder that it was time for me to leave this fantasy world and reenter the reality of my life. I rose from my spot, getting dressed and folding up the blanket that he had put over me. I heard him out in the back doing what sounded like shoveling. I headed upstairs, showered, and got dressed, packing my bag. I was disappointed that I would be leaving, but I was used to disappointment.

When I headed downstairs, I followed the scent of bacon, my stomach grumbling. What I hadn't expected was for Brett to snap at me for being lazy. It told me that he had regretted last night and he was eager to get me out of his house. The sooner I could call to get help with my car and on the road back to Boston, the better.

I imagined it was guilt over his curt demeanor that had him serving me breakfast. I'd accepted it, not so much because I was hungry but because I wanted to placate him. I even offered to help with chores, including doing the dishes.

If I was leaving, I wondered if he would be too. I hadn’t heard from Lindsay since yesterday, but it sounded like she hadn’t planned to come up at all.

"Will Lindsay be coming up later?" I asked.

He cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing as they studied me. "Not that she told me."

"I guess that means you won't be spending Christmas here. I can help you take the decorations down again."

His jaw tightened, although I couldn't imagine why he seemed irritated by that. "That won't be necessary. Just focus on getting your car out of that embankment so that you can get home."

I suppose his irritation was that my helping him would mean that I’d be here longer. He wanted me gone. I hadn't finished my breakfast, but I wasn't hungry anymore either. I picked up my phone to search for a tow truck service that could come pull me out of the ditch. I imagined it would have to dig me out too after last night's snow.

"I'll call. You can finish packing."

The urgency with which he wanted to get rid of me hurt, and I felt like such an idiot for the flights of fancy I’d entertained about him. I knew that there was nothing beyond this cabin for me and Brett, and yet, I had felt something last night. Something beyond physical pleasure.

I nodded and headed up to my room, not bothering to tell him I was already packed. At this point, I figured it would be best to stay out of his way until I could leave.

Back in the guest room, I sat in the window seat, staring at the blanket of white covering the landscape. Being in a funk, I couldn’t fully appreciate the beauty of it.

I wasn't sure how long I sat there when Brett made an appearance in the doorway to the room. His expression was grim. I decided that meant only one thing—I was stuck here a little bit longer.

"Last night, the snow was pretty wet, which means trees are down all over the area. Apparently, there are several on the road, so they can't even plow yet."

"How long do you think it will take for them to clear out the trees and plow?"

"There are other roads that have higher priority than Bucknell Road at the moment, but maybe by later this afternoon or this evening. Of course, clearing the road and plowing isn't the only issue we have. We need to pull you out of that ditch too, but until the road is clear and plowed, there's no sense in calling someone."

I nodded and turned to look back out the window, unsure of what to say.

He let out a sigh. "Don't feel like you have to hide in here until we can get your car back to you. Same as yesterday, you have access to the house and all the amenities with it. I promise to stay out of your way."

"Thank you." Of course, I had no desire to make use of the amenities of the house. While his words told me I was welcome, his behavior earlier made it such that I wanted to avoid him at all costs. I didn't feel welcome, so I would stay out of his way the best I could.

After he left, I sat in the window seat a little longer, staring out the window, but that was quickly getting boring. I wished I'd brought schoolbooks so I could at least study for the upcoming semester. I did the next best thing and found my earbuds, putting them on and listening to an audiobook.

I was able to hide away in the guest room until midafternoon. But finally, hunger got the best of me. I made my way down the hall and stairs into the kitchen without making any noise. All the while, I looked around corners, wondering where Brett was.

I entered the kitchen and, looking through the French doors to the deck outside, I saw Brett's head poking out from the hot tub. His back was to me, so I was able to study him. Study the strong upper back and shapely, sculpted shoulders. He had his arms spread eagle along the rim of the hot tub, one hand holding a glass of something that I suspected was liquor.

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