Page 105 of SnowBound

She laughed, but it lacked her usual warmth. “I went to him. And his eyes widened when he realized it was me standing next to him. And his lips transformed into a small smile. We didn’t have to talk to each other. Our eyes said it all.”

“Did you—?”

“We spent the night together. He took the first flight back to Japan this morning.” Her voice quivered. “I’m sad now.”

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry. I know he was the one who got away. I wish I could hug you right now.”

“He-he said he was moving back here. Well, not here, but the US. Next year. Do you think it’s like fate or something? Destiny giving us another chance?”

I weighed my words before asking, “Ellie, do you still love him?”

She remained silent for a long minute. “Last night, we didn’t fuck. Does that answer your question?”

I sighed. “Yes. What are you going to do?”

“No idea. He hasn’t been in a relationship since we broke up. Me neither. I tried. Many times. Went on dates. But my heart wasn’t into it. I wish I could take the next flight to Japan and be together.”

“I know. It’s funny when you think about what we all saw when you two were together back then and you kept denying you were nothing more than a fling. Sorry for asking, but did he say if he could see you two starting things from where you left them?”

“When he was sitting by himself, all sad, he had heard our song on his way over, and he had written me a text. He just never sent it. He showed it to me. My hair stood on end on my forearms when I read his words.” She paused. “It’s crazy to think we could have another chance. Or that my last boyfriend is my forever guy.”

“Join the club,” I said, my words tainted with a little humor.

“Enough talking about Tom. How’s my man doing? If I wait another twenty years, think Alexi would date an older woman?”

“Ellie.”

“Just joking. My heart is taken. I’m screwed. Seriously, how’s my little guy?”

“Not so great. We spent the night at the ER.”

“Again?”

“Yeah.”

“His ears?” she asked, her voice gentle and filled with empathy now.

“Even the tubes have failed. I’m supposed to meet with the ENT in ten days. They’ll run some tests. They think it could affect his speech and language.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Abby. You guys don’t need another hardship in your lives. Can’t you two catch a break for once?”

My shoulders slumped at this, and I dropped into a kitchen chair. “Guess it’s not in our immediate future.”

“When I’m back in the country and have some free time, I’m flying in to see you. We’ll eat junk food and binge-watch romcoms and bawling-your-eyes-out movies for an entire weekend. And drink too much wine. And together cry about our love lives. And snuggle up against your little guy because he’s the best, and I miss you two.”

“We miss you too.”

“I wish we were lovers, you and I. We could co-parent Alexi together, and life would be so simple. Abigail Peña, would you marry me?”

“Any day, if that was even a possibility.” I checked the time as the sound of little feet padding on the floor, coming from my bedroom, caught my attention. My face brightened when Alexi’s face peeked through the ajar door, and his lips curled into a smile when his gaze landed on me. At that moment, I knew that no matter what life threw at us, we’d be fine. “Elles, I gotta go. Alexi is up, and I need to give him his medicine and prep his breakfast.”

“Can I say hi first? Switch to video. I wanna see his baby face.”

Seconds later, my best friend’s face appeared on the screen.

“Oh, geez. You look terrible,” I said before I could reel the words in.

“Yeah, well, I could say the same to you. Did you even sleep last night after your visit to the ER? At least my reasons were big and thick since I was busy orgasming over the best dick and tongue in town. You really need a break. Next time I have time off, I swear I’ll be ringing your doorbell.”