Forever Winter

“That’s all hers?” My mom motions back towards the front door where all the boxes are stacked.

“Yeah. I’m having them moved to Cory’s room.” I pick up my phone to call him, glancing at the time. He should actually be here by now. I move towards the window to pull the curtain to see if the snow has started.

“They aren’t married yet. They can’t share a room.” I turn to look at my mom. Like always she’s got her hair curled and makeup on. She’s always put together but not over the top, and she looks elegant in simple jeans and boots with a fuzzy sweater on.

“Mom. Seriously?” I raise an eyebrow at her.

“Have you ever been allowed to have women stay with you?” she asks tartly. I have to hold back a chuckle at the look on her face.

“No one has ever brought a woman home,” I answer absently. I’d never thought about it, but we haven’t. Not even when Cory went a little wild had he mentioned anything about seeing anyone.

I’d bring my angel home. I wouldn’t give a fuck. Besides, I’m on to my mom’s game. “Don’t think making them sleep apart will get them to wed faster.” She fights a smile at being caught.

“In fact, if it’s grandbabies you’re after, don’t you want them in the same room?” I add, looking back out the window. I see a black SUV coming up the long drive, its lights flickering through the heavy snow.

“They’re here.” I drop the curtain and head towards the front door. Why I want to see this woman so badly, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m jealous of my brother. He has something I didn’t know I wanted until months ago. It’s not any woman either. I want her. My snow angel.

I sat outside of a coffee shop a few days after I’d lost her, watching people pass by. I’d glance at the women and not one held any type of appeal. They all looked the same. How I’d never noticed this before I have no idea, but they did. In fact, everything felt bland now.

I pull open the door, kicking one of the boxes in my way.

“Bo!” my mom scolds me. “Don’t do that to Winter’s things.”

I look at her. The name sounds familiar for some reason. My brother mentioned a Winter now that I think on it, but I thought she was a friend or his assistant.

“I guess you might as well put her stuff in his room. They’ve been living together for years.”

“What?” Now that catches my attention. “They live together?” I don’t remember him speaking of the girl as someone he was sleeping with. Then it hits me. I’d once asked him why he called his friend by his last name. I’d assumed Winter was a guy. He told me it wasn’t her last name and that she was like a little sister to him.

Looks like she wasn’t a little sister to him anymore. Still, with all this shit, maybe the girl is playing the long game with my baby brother. Build up a friendship. Work herself into his life. It’s actually a smart plan, seeing as my brother is working like the rest of us do. He doesn’t have time for random women, but if a friend was always around—even more so if she lived with him—she could easily fall into that role for him.

“Yes, they live together.” She shakes her head at me, and this time I see real disappointment on her face. “You really should know your brother better. Winter has been his best friend for years. It looks like they are taking things to a new level.” Mom smiles happily at that.

“She’s a sweet girl. Maybe you would have met her by now if you stopped working for more than five minutes,” she adds with a reprimand in her voice. She has no idea what a mess my father left behind. I’m not going to let her find out either. I’ll take the heat of her wrath, but I could try harder to be more involved now that I’ve finally gotten the company under control. Find my girl. Maybe take a break myself.

The SUV rolls to a stop in front of the house. Before the driver can hop out to open the door, it’s already opening. My eyes lock with the same green eyes I haven’t seen in four months. We both stare at each other for a moment. She looks as shocked as I feel.

Sam, who helps run the estate, catches my attention out of the corner of my eye, picking up one of the boxes to move them. I keep my eyes locked on my angel, not wanting her from my sight.

“Put them in the west wing,” I tell him.

“But, sir, you said—”

“The west wing,” I grit out. “She’s not fucking staying in his room,” I finish. My mom gasps as I clear the distance between me and the woman who has ruled my mind for the last four months. The same one my brother is engaged to.