Page 29 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

“Why does living here automatically make you a failure?”

Saying it like that felt too extreme. “It doesn’t.”

“It seems like it does in your mind.”

I shook my head. This was too much. As much as my heart wanted to give us a shot, he was right. We couldn’t be together. Not while it was my dream to leave.

“Look, I don’t want you to say anything right now. Just think about it.” He dropped my hands and stood. “When you’re ready to talk, call me.”

I nodded and watched him walk out of the kitchen.

Things weren’t going to change. We wanted different things. I needed to accept that.

Twelve

A minute after the front door closed behind him, my entire family descended upon me. Mom and Dad looked disapproving and Steven was shaking his head.

I looked at each of them feeling unease. “What?”

Mom looked at me with a mixture of pity and concern. “Harlow, you can’t really let this opportunity pass.”

“You heard that?”

Dad shook his head. “No, we gave you privacy.”

“Then how do you know?”

Steven smirked. “Who do you think had the idea to hire you?”

I looked around the room feeling more confused than ever.

Mom sat next to me. “We know you have dreams of leaving and making a name for yourself, but have you ever considered the possibility of staying? At least giving it a chance?”

I shook my head. I really hadn’t.

Dad sat next to Mom and leaned forward. “Vince really cares about you.”

I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know?”

Dad smiled. “He’s been talking about you nonstop since you got home. He asked me for permission to ask you out last night. He said he wanted everything out in the open.”

He took the risk.

“What did you tell him?”

“That our family loves him, and I couldn’t picture a more perfect man for my favorite child.”

Steven scoffed, but the rest of us laughed.

“He knows he has to treat you well, or he’ll have me and your brother to answer to.”

I looked to Steven and sighed. “And what do you think?”

He shrugged. “It’s a little weird that my best friend likes you, but I guess it’s a long time coming. We all know you’ve loved him since the day you first saw him.”

I rolled my eyes even though he wasn’t exactly exaggerating.

Mom put her hand on my arm and gently squeezed. “He told your father that his biggest concern was ruining things with us. We won’t let that happen. No matter if you two end up together or not, Vince is a part of this family.”