“What’s your plan for the rest of the day?” I asked as we rode in his BMW back to town.
“A little work, but nothing I can’t do at home. How about you?”
“Same.”
He smiled. “Want to make an evening of it? If we’re going to be snowed in, we might as well be snowed in together.”
“I like that idea,” I said, barely able to hold back my grin. “Mind if we stop at my place?” I tugged on the gown I’d worn the night before, the only clothes I had. “Not sure this is the best choice for loungewear.”
He chuckled. “Hey, if you want to hang around dressed like that, I’d be happy to get you a new wardrobe.”
“As long as I can wear some comfortable sneakers underneath. You want to try relaxing in these heels?”
That got another laugh. I kicked them off, letting the heels drop onto the floor of the BMW, stretching my toes out.
“We can swing by your place so you can get what you need. Then we can do a little work, relax, and I’ll make some dinner later.”
“Perfect.”
It was such a nice idea, being snowed in with a man like him. The fact that his house was a palace didn’t hurt matters. It was almost domestic. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that whatever was going on between us, it was happening fast.
Where would we be in a few weeks? A few months? Was the relationship developing between me and Duncan something real? Like so much about my relationship with him, it was scary and thrilling all at once.
We soon reached White Pines, the first few flakes of the incoming storm already coming down. The sky was slate gray, the clouds thick and roiling, the sun nothing but a bright smudge behind them.
Duncan pulled up to my place, and I jumped out after putting on my heels, hiking up my gown as I stepped over the dusting of snow. Once in my apartment, I slipped out of the gown, taking care to hang it up carefully in the closet. I still couldn’t believe I owned something so nice. I still didn’t know the price, but I was reasonably sure it was worth more than all the clothes I owned put together.
I changed and packed a small overnight bag, stuffing my laptop and other essentials in there. Then I hurried back to Duncan’s car, not wanting to get caught out in the storm.
“All set?” Duncan asked as I climbed back into the car.
“Let’s do it.”
The snow came down harder as we drove to his house, the blizzard moving in faster than we’d anticipated. But once we reached his magnificent home, the outside world seemed to vanish. Duncan turned on the fireplace along with some low lighting.
“Hope this works for a home office,” he said.
“It’s perfect.”
“You have the place all to yourself – make yourself at home. I’ll be up in my office on the third floor if you need me.” His phone buzzed, and after reading the screen, he said, “Hmm.”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing. Just my brother confirming for tomorrow. How’s seven sound?”
“Sounds good.” I swallowed after I spoke.
“Great,” he said, smiling at me, though he had an odd look on his face. “Anyway, I’m going to get to it. If you need a little more privacy, feel free to use one of the spare bedrooms.” He stepped over to me, kissed me on the lips, and smiled before heading out of the room.
I should’ve been over the moon. And I was, for the most part. But he had to mention the whole meeting the brother thing. It was hard to pinpoint exactly why I was so nervous about it. I needed to talk to someone about it before I could even think of doing anything else. So I slipped my phone out of my pocket, fired off a text to Gia to see what she was up to, and headed to the second floor in search of a bedroom.
She called as I shut the door. “Hey!” she said, chipper as ever. “Can you believe this freaking weather?” she asked. “I guess you can believe it – we’re in Colorado, after all.”
“Right – snow’s what we signed up for.” Gia, being her awesome self, always put me a little more at ease.
“Anyway, what’s up?”
I took a deep breath and went into it, catching her up on every detail.
“Snowed in, huh?” she asked. “Not a bad way to spend the storm. I’m here with my cat and a pint of that ice cream that’s got the hard layer of chocolate on top you have to smash through with the spoon. Gotta say, a guy would be nice too.”
“But it’s like…I can’t even relax. We’re meeting his brother tomorrow.”
“Right! And that’s a really good sign.”
“You don’t think it’s too fast?”
“There’s no such thing as too fast, babe. Things move at their own pace. And if your relationship is ready for meeting the family, then so be it! Cut right to the chase. Who knows – maybe you’ll be married in a few months.”
My stomach tightened, as if she were pushing my luck for me. “Let’s not go crazy,” I said, pacing back and forth in the guest room. “I’m mostly focused on what’s happening tomorrow.”
“Sure. And trust me – you don’t need to worry a bit. Brothers aren’t that dissimilar. If Duncan likes you, then I’m sure his brother will give you a glowing review. Just be your awesome self, and don’t sweat even for a second.”
There was still a chance of disaster, sure. But Gia’s words made me feel a hell of a lot better.
“And if he’s some stuck-up dweeb, then so be it! You don’t need everyone in the world to like you.”
I sat down on the edge of the bed. “Okay. Yeah, you’re right. It’ll be fine.”
“It’ll be fine. Hell, it’ll be more than fine. This time two days from now, it’ll all be behind you, likely with the brother’s stamp of approval.”
“Alright. Thanks a ton for talking me down, Gia. I really mean it.”
“Of course! I only ask one thing in return.”
“What’s that?”
“If his brother’s cute…”
I laughed, knowing exactly what she was thinking. “I’ll be sure to tell him about my gorgeous, brilliant, and most importantly, single friend.”
“Atta girl. Now, go get snowed in. And don’t forget I’m gonna want details!”
I laughed. “Don’t worry – you’ll get them.”
After I hung up, I stayed in the room for a few minutes longer, trying to really internalize what Gia had said. She’s right, I told myself. If Duncan liked me, there wasn’t a doubt his brother would too. And even if he didn’t, so what? I’d be myself, and that was the best I could do.
When I was calmer, I went back downstairs. Duncan was seated on the big couch in front of the giant TV, his legs propped up on the coffee table and his laptop in front of him.
“All good?” he asked.
“All’s great.” I wandered to the window and watched as the snow flurries decorated the landscape. “Damn,” I said, watching it fall. “Look at that. In an hour or so we won’t be able to leave.”
He came over to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and planting a kiss on my cheek. “Why would we want to?”
I smiled, his words sending a rush of warmth through me. We spent a little time on our work, the two of us sipping coffee and plugging away, the snow coming down in sheets outside.