“Hey neighbor,” I called, interrupting whatever deep thought he was lost in.

“Oh, hey. Nice morning.”

“Are you making small talk with me?”

Half of Owen’s mouth turned up into a smile as I took another sip of my coffee. I knew the peering eyes in the kitchen were all watching me out the back window, but I couldn’t be bothered to care. Whenever I was around Owen, it felt like it was just us. No one else mattered.

“I’m on my third cup this morning,” he said, raising his steaming coffee up in the air where I could see it.

“Wow, rough night? Are the girls okay?”

“They’re fine. Slept perfectly, actually.”

“Then what was the problem?”

“I just couldn’t sleep, I guess. Couldn’t make my mind stop long enough to fall asleep.”

“What were you thinking about?”

He looked off into the distance and took a long sip of his coffee before looking back over at me. He smiled and looked down at his hands, still not saying a word. I waited with bated breath to see if he was going to tell me, or if he was going to leave me in anticipation.

“I—um—I was thinking about a lot of things.”

“That’s all you’re going to give me?”

“Well, what if we talk about it later?”

I nodded my head in agreement and turned my attention to the snowy landscape in front of me. The sky was perfectly clear and blue, and the sun reflecting off the snow actually made it feel somewhat warm. Well, maybe not warm, but not completely frigid like it had been most of the time we had been here.

“So, what games to Laila and Cora have planned for me tonight?”

“You’re just going to have to wait and see.”

“Wow, you really don’t want to give me anything this morning, do you?”

“Oh Skye,” he said with a laugh. “You have no idea how many things I want to give you.”

He smirked at me, and I felt my stomach do a flip. His comment could be taken in many different ways, but I was going to assume he meant it in a dirty way.

We sat in silence for a few more minutes before my mug was empty, and I was starting to get cold. I rose from my seat and started towards the door.

“I’ll see you in a while,” I said with a smile.

“Don’t be too long.”

I bit my lip to hide my excitement as I stepped back into the chalet. Of course, Sierra and Amelia were both waiting for me with their noses basically pressed up against the glass.

“So, have you slept with him yet or not?”

“I’m going to tell mom you’re being crass again.”

“Fine, whatever, go tattle to mommy. But just tell me.”

“What would make you think I’ve slept with him? You know he has two little kids right? And even if he didn’t, there isnothinggoing on between us.”

“Come on, Skye, just tell us,” Amelia said impatiently.

“First of all, I don’t think I feel comfortable talking about this with you.”