Snowed In Read Free Page A

you?” Pippa was yelling at someone across the parking lot. Gavin was used to her making friends wherever she went, so he kept on loading the groceries. He was finding room for the last bag when Pippa’s phone rang and she launched into an alarmingly explicit baby-talk conversation with, he assumed, Marv. Now would be a great time to do my civic duty and return the cart to the rack , he thought, crossing the parking lot.
    The lot was crowded—everyone panicked when snow was in the forecast, even though it rarely snowed more than an inch or two—but his eyes caught a tall woman in a puffy black coat loading bags into the trunk of a sensible-looking compact car.
    Holy. Shit.
    The mystery woman.
    He saw the instant she recognized him, her eyes going wide as she tried to duck into her little car as fast as possible. Oh, no. He wasn’t letting her get away again.
    â€œHey!” he shouted, running toward the car. “Hey, stop!”
    She already had the car started by the time he got to her, but he knocked on the window. She didn’t look up as she rolled the window down.
    â€œHey, hi,” he said, a little out of breath. “How’s it going?”
    She looked up at him then, her blue eyes carefully blank. “Fine, thanks. How are you?”
    â€œGood. Good.” Good one, Gavin. Way to charm her. “What’s new?”
    Her eyes went from blank to incredulous. “What’s new? Since when? Since I molested you in the freezer aisle two weeks ago?”
    â€œTwo weeks and four days ago,” he said. “Almost three weeks. A lot could be new.” He paused, letting what she’d said register. “And I think it was me doing the molesting.”
    â€œFine, we molested each other. Mutual molestation. What do you want?”
    To be molested by you again . “Just to say hi. See how things are going.” To learn your name. To see if that kiss was as hot as I remember.
    â€œThings are fine, thanks. You’ll be happy to know I’m turning over a new leaf. No more crying.”
    â€œGood! That’s really good. You’re over what’s-his-name?”
    â€œYes. Well, almost. I’m over him enough to get back out there,” she said in a determined voice. “I’m ready to—” She cut herself off.
    â€œReady to what?”
    â€œNothing.” She was furiously blushing. It was frigging adorable.
    â€œOh.” Time to seize his opportunity. “Well, if you’re, uh, getting back out there, maybe you’d like to get a drink? Maybe tonight?”
    He could see her searching her brain for an excuse. “Isn’t there supposed to be a snowstorm tonight?”
    â€œThat dumb-bum channel eleven weatherman is never right,” he replied.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œNothing. You’re right, it’s supposed to snow, but not until way later. Let’s make it dinner. We’ll eat early and you’ll be tucked in bed before the first flake even falls.” My bed, with any luck.
    She narrowed her eyes at him. Considering his offer, he hoped.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” she asked.
    â€œOh! Right. Gavin.” He stuck his hand in the open window to shake her hand. “Gavin Fraser.”
    â€œMaureen. O’Connell.”
    â€œWhat are you, Irish?”
    â€œAre you seriously asking me that, Gavin Fraser? I’m surprised you’re not wearing a kilt.”
    â€œI only wear my kilt on special occasions. Besides, it’s way too cold to go commando.”
    She looked at him, and he thought he saw her eyes darken a little. “Do you really have a kilt?” she asked softly.
    He lifted a corner of his mouth in a slow smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
    â€œFine. Dinner. The Cold Spot. Six o’clock.”
    â€œAre you sure? You don’t sound like you made up your mind there.” The Cold Spot wasn’t the most romantic spot for dinner, but they had