Your One True Love (The Bennett Family 8)

They skitter around, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I head straight to the staff room. Karla and Rita slip in right behind me, talking about their plans this evening. I join the conversation, grateful for the distraction. I will not check the weather report in the Adirondack Mountains. I will not check it.

Ever since Daniel told me he’s taking a group there this week, I’ve been refreshing the page with the weather forecast about a dozen times a day. Monday there was just an alert about windy conditions. Tuesday they announced there was a mild risk of a blizzard. As of this morning, the risk was mild too, but they said there is a real possibility the warning will change to red around noon. It’s eleven o’clock now. Midway through the break, I break down and check the weather report. My stomach clenches. There is now a high risk of a blizzard.

Is Daniel still there with his group? He has been reckless in the past, though I can’t imagine him endangering his life and that of his clients this way. Still, if I just knew for sure, I could breathe more easily. I’ve been sleeping like shit since Monday, worrying. Wondering. Tapping my fingers on my phone, I briefly considering texting Summer or Jenna, asking them if they’ve heard from Daniel, but that would open a can of worms.

I only have one option left: calling Daniel himself. Excusing myself from the staff room, I head to my empty classroom and dial his number. It rings for so long, I almost give up, but then he answers.

“Hey, Caroline.”

I swear my very bones liquefy as the tension melts from my body. I hadn’t even realized I was so tense.

“Hey! How are you? Everything all right?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”

With a jolt, I realize how awkward I’m coming across, calling out of the blue to ask if he’s okay. Sitting on my desk, I dangle my legs, carefully considering my words.

“I saw they announced a blizzard in the Adirondacks, and I....”

“You were worried about me.”

No point denying it. “Yes.”

“Don’t. We canceled the hiking trip yesterday. Too dangerous. We’re improvising other activities for the rest of the week.”

“When are you returning to San Francisco?”

“Next Thursday. I’m going to another group in the Rocky Mountains after I finish here. Can’t wait to be back home. It’s not sunny, but at least it’s not as cold. Almost forgot how it feels to be warm.”

“Drink some hot chocolate and you’ll be golden,” I encourage. The second the words are out of my mouth, I can’t stop a vision forming in my mind, of me heading to Daniel’s when he returns on Friday, helping him warm up, take care of him. I make a mean cup of hot chocolate. Shaking my head, I inwardly laugh at myself. I have no claim on Daniel. He’s not mine to make happy. Except... friends cheer each other up. I could go over as his friend. Ah, who am I kidding? By the way my body hummed at his proximity last Saturday, I’d fall right back in his bed.

“There are better ways of getting warm.” The subtle change in his tone alerts me that his thoughts aren’t on the straight and narrow path either. “Hot wine, a hot shower. Skin-on-skin contact. What d’you think? Asking for a friend.”

I grin from ear to ear, but try to work in as much severity as possible in my tone. “You’re insufferable.”

He laughs. “You sound so convincing. For your information, your voice sounds different when you smile.”

Clearing my throat, I force my facial muscles in a serious expression, but they put up a good fight. “Oh, Dan, I can never win against you. I just called to make sure you’re okay. Let’s leave it at that.”

He’s silent for a few seconds, then finally says, “I’m sorry you were worried about me. I would’ve texted if I knew.”

“My own fault for checking the weather report so often. But you’re okay, so I can go about my day.”

“And you won’t give me another thought?”

I’m the one who can hear the smile in his voice now. “Not one single thought. I have to go, by the way. Break will be over soon.”

“Sure. Enjoy your day.” A few seconds pass, but I’m still holding on to the call. “You can hang up anytime.”

“You hang up.” I smile, remembering we used to play this game eons ago.

“I’m not the one who has to go.”

“Fine, I’ll hang up. Bye, Daniel.” I click off the next second, feeling a little light-headed.

The feeling persists the entire day, right until I receive another phone call, from my brother, just as I’m on my way out of the school.

“Hey, sis, I’ll be quick. I have some bad news. I’ll only be able to make it to the opening party for half an hour or so when I’m in town.”