“You’ve watched it, Blythe. You even warned me. I’m a warm body when she needs one next to her. Otherwise, I don’t measure up to Bree’s standards.”
“Why do you let yourself get into these situations?”
“So you agree?”
“Not completely, but watching what’s going on with the two of you breaks my heart.”
Jace turned so he could look in Blythe’s eyes. “Who does your heart break for? Her or me?”
“For both of you.”
Jace nodded his head, stood, and walked out the front door. He didn’t know where he was going, he just knew he didn’t want to spend the night in the same house as Bree Fox.
16
She must have lost her mind. Here she was, at another Rice family night out. This time her mom and dad had forced her to go along. Given she missed Thanksgiving dinner, they insisted she join the family gathering Liv and Ben were hosting at the ski area.
Since the weather was unseasonably warm, Liv made arrangements to close off Mountaineer Square, at the base of the mountain, for a private party. They’d set tables around the open fire pit, surrounded by heat lamps so they’d be warm when the sun set.
The party wasn’t limited to family, Ben and Liv invited friends from town too. Bree was surprised to see Kaleb and his sister walk up and say hello to Ben.
“How are you doing?” her dad asked.
“Better. Not that I plan to drink anything other than water tonight.”
“Good plan.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “I’m glad your mom
talked you into coming.”
“That’s one way to put it. Some of the credit swings your way too.”
“Haven’t seen the cowboy tonight. In fact, I haven’t seen him all day.”
“The cowboy? As if there’s only one? We’re surrounded by cowboys.” Bree surveyed the crowd. Most of the men, her father included, wore cowboy hats and boots. It wasn’t just their attire either. They were cowboys by profession. Her father didn’t fit in that category, but most of the others did.
“Jace.”
“I know who you meant, Dad. I haven’t seen him either.” She hoped he wouldn’t be here tonight. It might be selfish of her, but the last time she and Jace were at the same place at the same time, it hadn’t ended well for her.
So far she’d managed to avoid Kaleb. She didn’t plan to all night, she just didn’t want him to get the impression he was her date. Every so often their eyes would meet, and she’d smile, or wave, and then walk in the other direction, or join another conversation.
As long as Jace Rice didn’t show up tonight, she might be able to get through the evening without embarrassing herself for the third time that weekend. She crossed her fingers and said a silent prayer. It wouldn’t hurt to cover both bases tonight—superstitious and otherwise.
Minutes later, Jace’s truck pulled up, and he wasn’t alone. There, in the front seat of his truck, was the blonde. Maybe her plan to avoid alcohol hadn’t been such a good one.
It was too soon for this scene to be playing out again. She found herself looking for another escape route. Would someone at the front desk of the lodge be able to call her a cab?
When she turned back around, Jace was standing behind her.
“Hi, uh, Jace.” She tried to walk around him.
“Hey, wait,” he said and grabbed her arm. “Where are you runnin’ off to?”
“I can’t do this, Jace. I can’t believe you brought a date.”
“A date? What are you talking about?”
“Please, don’t do this.”