Tastes Like Winter by Cece Carroll Read Free Book Online Page B

with wearing my worn-in riding boots, which provide some much-needed
warmth to my legs.
    As soon as we step onto the back porch, Genna and I are handed beers.
She accepts hers, but I nudge mine off. I guess I’m driving us home. Great. The
porch is crowded with people, and looking through the sliding glass doors, I
can see the kitchen and den are packed, as well. There is a fire pit in the
corner of the yard, and already desperate to warm up, I move towards it.
    “Gen, I’m going to hang out by the fire”—I motion with my head—
“because somebody forced seasonally inappropriate clothing on me!” I shout the
last part over the sounds of party chatter as I put distance between us.
    She laughs and innocently bats her lashes at me. “Oh hush. You look
gorgeous, and that outfit is totally worth a little chill! I’ll be over in a
minute. I want to make the rounds.”
    I see somebody vacating one of a few Adirondack chairs arranged in a
circle around the pit and snag it before anyone else can. This, I decide, will
be my spot for the evening.
    I’m warming my hands, watching the reds and oranges of the fire dance
before me, when I sense someone plop down on the ground next to me.
    I assume it’s Genna coming back for me, so I am surprised when I hear
Jake’s deep voice.
    “Hey.”
    I am caught off guard, but I try my damnedest not to appear like I am.
“Hi, Jake.”
    There are plenty of college kids around tonight, but I wouldn’t have
thought the jock crowd to be his scene. I say as much and ask him what brings
him out tonight.
    “Yeah, it’s not my scene… Not anymore, at least. I was dropping Sam
off, saw a couple guys I knew from high school and got talked into coming in.”
    I notice he is holding a water bottle, and his fingers fidget, picking
at the label as he speaks.
    “What about you? You often come to parties to sit in dark corners by
yourself?”
    “I try to avoid it, but I’m not always so lucky. My best friend is a
bit of a social butterfly. I’m her awkward and stunted sidekick.”
    “I doubt that. In fact, as far as I can see, you don’t appear to be
awkward or stunted at all.” He winks at me before adding more seriously, “How
are things with your parents?”
    The light from the fire reflects off of his cheekbones. It is paired
with a genuine look of concern in his eye and causes the attraction that I
can’t shake to fire up again and my breath to catch. “Much better.”
    “That’s great to hear.” His lips lift in a sincere smile, and the
butterflies in my stomach flap their wings. “Are they working things out?”
    “Ha!” My sudden outburst confuses him, so I clarify, “Not at all. My
dad is actually moving out. They sat me down and told me last night.”
    “Oh.” I don’t think he expected that answer. “I’m sorry.”
    “No, it will be good. Great, actually. The fighting should stop,” I
tell him.
    “Hey, sometimes that’s the most you can ask for. I’m glad to hear
things are looking up. You do look better today, more relaxed.”
    “Thanks?”
    “Sorry, that was an attempt at a compliment.” While looking down at
the bottle in his hands, he adds, “I meant you look pretty tonight.”
    A blush rises to my cheeks, and I try to hide the smile creeping up.
Genna is forgiven for dragging me here. I glance across the circle of chairs,
looking for a distraction, and notice a pair of guys across the way, lighting
up what looks to be a joint. They soon proceed to pass it around. Crap!
    This is why I hate parties. I groan. Jake notices my shift in posture
and follows my gaze. Knowing him, he will probably want to partake, and I will
be stuck being the uptight one once again. This always happens to me at these
types of gatherings.
    He looks noticeably uncomfortable himself, shocking me. His body is
tense, and the rise and fall of his chest has stopped, suggesting that he is
holding his breath. His reaction confuses me, but I am compelled to rescue us
both from any