"Do you know Jamie?"
"Not well," Ava says. "He's best friends with one of Jaxon's brothers and he seems like a good guy."
"And he's hot."
"I wouldn't know," she says with a laugh. "You know I only have eyes for my man." My eyes drift outside to the snowy landscape we're driving past as we pass a large timber sign announcing the town of Rock Creek. My heart catches in my throat. "I have to go, Ava. We're almost in town."
"I'm so excited for you, Ella. It's going to be great. Let me know how it's going," she says. "I mean, if you have a free second." I can almost hear her wiggling her eyebrows and I feel a pang of excitement. And something else... anticipation? Fear?
I have no idea what will happen. But I know what Ihope
will happen. The way we've been flirting, it's hard to ignore the chemistry between us. I just hope that chemistry is just as strong in real life.
If it's not, I don't?—
No.
I won't let myself spiral. Not now.
Out the window, I can see the occasional log cabin tucked into the trees just off the road, and then more buildings. And Main Street.
It's time.
I end the call with Ava and promise to stay in touch. Hopefully, we'll be neighbours soon and I'll be able to see my best friend more often.
But I won't get ahead of myself yet. One thing at a time.
First, I have to meet my mountain man.
We're almost there.
My phone dings with a notification.
I almost don't look, assuming it's Ava with some last-minute advice.
Jamie:
Don't be nervous. I'll be the guy you won't be able to take your eyes off. I can't wait to see you, Ella.
A bloom of warmth spreads through my chest the way it always does when Jamie texts me.
Our messages over the last few days have become much flirtier, which both excites me and terrifies me.
Again, I hope he's not disappointed.
I'm about to respond when another message comes through.
And kiss you for the first time.
Whatever I was about to type slips away at the promise of my first kiss being only moments away.
The bus rolls to a stop, but I'm sitting on the opposite side, so I can't see anyone waiting outside.
With a deep breath, I stand and tug on my brand new white puffy coat, purchased last minute for this trip, and shuffle in my faux fur-lined boots to the front of the bus, as the driver pulls open the lever, opening the door to my future.
Jamie
With a grin, I tuck my phone away as I see the bus at the end of the street. I have no fucking idea how I'm supposed to handle this situation, but at some point in the last few days since sending Ella a bus ticket, I decided to handle it the way I do everything else in my life.
