No, she backspaced and stared at the cursor.
Another announcement sounded overhead.
Wonderful. Romantic. The best time ever…
“Ugh.” She tapped the backspace key again. Thanks for making the whole snowed-in thing…not so bad. I’ll be waving from my round window in five.
Dec 27
Easton: There’s something wrong with me.
Ivy: Oh, no! What is it?
Easton: I got poison ivy.
Ivy: Not funny. You know I’ve heard that one a million times, right?
Easton: Mine’s different.
Ivy: Taking the bait. How?
Easton: Mine only goes away when I’m with you. Think we could get snowed in someplace for New Years?
Ivy: If only. Name the place, and I’ll be there. By the way. I told Marsha that you backed out. She wasn’t happy. In fact, I think she cried a little, but at least you’re off the hook.
Easton: I should feel guilty for making you lie, but I’m far too relieved. Thank you for doing that.
Ivy: It was as much for me as it was for you. Turns out I’ve got a jealous streak. Who knew?
Easton: Is it wrong that I like hearing that?
Ivy: Possibly. But I like that you like it, so I guess we’re even.
Dec 28
Ivy: I just realized something.
Easton: What? That you’re madly in love with me?
Ivy: That during our two-hour conversation last night, you still never named the place for our snowed-in-over-New-Year’s adventure.
Easton: Crap.
Ivy: How are we supposed to get snowed in together if you don’t specify where it can happen?
Dec 29
Easton: The biggest New Year’s storm I see coming is in Minnesota. Not sure I could fashion a yurt there during a blizzard, but I could build us a nice snow cave.
Ivy: Of course you could. My very own caveman, that’s what you are. But I have one crucial question.
Easton: Hit me with it.
Ivy: Will there be moonshine peaches?
Easton: Definitely
Dec 31
Ivy: Happy New Year. I forgot to tell you last night—I shared the square window fact with my family—they were riveted. Any fun plans for this evening?
Easton: What do you mean? I’m waiting for you in a brightly marked snow cave in Minnesota like we planned. Is this a prank? You’re waiting outside my snow cave right now, aren’t you? *Checking…
Ivy: Yep, you caught me. I’m here. Trying to wave, but my extremities won’t move. I’m using voice-to-text until my lips freeze shut.
Easton: I’m very good at thawing frozen lips. As long as they’re your lips.
Ivy: Looking forward to testing out your skills.
Easton: Happy New Year, Ivy. Wish I really could kiss you tonight.
Ivy: Me too. Happy New Year.
Jan 2
Easton: It’s been one week since I’ve seen you. Besides our phone calls and texts, my life feels very boring suddenly. What did you do to me?
Ivy: You really know how to make a girl blush. My life feels lame now too. What are we going to do about it?
Easton: Funny you should ask. We have a group coming through here from the fifth of the month until the nineteenth. What if I came to LA sometime after the twentieth?
The massive squeal that shot from Ivy’s lips made heads at the busy TV station turn.
“Sorry,” she offered from her place among the sea of desks. Well, five desks, to be exact. She set her gaze back on her phone as a rush of excitement filled her body.
Easton was coming to LA! It had been hard for Ivy to be patient since she returned home, but she sensed Easton needed to go at his own pace. He likely needed time to process the idea of dating anyone, let alone a woman from another state. But already he was talking about a trip out to see her. She could hardly believe it was true.
Ivy: I would love it if you came out here! In fact, I just now added it to my calendar and I’ve already dipped it in bronze. That makes it final, right?
Easton: If that’s all it takes to make things final, consider yourself in Colorado by midnight. I’ll write it on my planner now and bronze the crud out of it.
She stared at the text while her heart broke into a happy dance.
“Ivy, Nancy, could you ladies come into my office please?”
Ivy glanced up in time to see Marsha slip back into her office.
Nancy shot to a stand. “Coming!”
Ivy followed suit. “I wonder what this is all about?”
“You’ve got me.” Nancy twirled a wad of gum around her finger as she led the way.
Ivy’s mind shot back to the situation with Marsha and the woman’s disappointment over Easton backing out. The mere recollection made her