Page 106 of Something Like Winter

He shrugged.

Allison gave him a knowing look. “What did you do?”

Tim rolled his eyes and headed for the parking lot, Allison on his heels.

“You can’t just abandon me here!”

“There are shuttle buses leaving later.”

“There’s a bus leaving now, and I’m the only passenger!”

Tim glanced back at her. They were two peas in a pod, Ben and Allison. “Come on then.”

He was sure he would get the third degree, but as they hit the highway, Allison had other things on her mind.

“Twenty-three, a licensed lifeguard, and drop dead gorgeous,” she raved. “And he still lives with his mother?”

“I don’t think being a lifeguard pays very much,” Tim replied.

“That doesn’t matter, not to me. Helikesliving with his mother and was talking about me meeting her. I suggested dinner. He suggested lunch with his mom. I’m sorry, but if you already have a lady in your life, I’m not interested. Especially if you’re related to her.”

Tim laughed. “If he was that hot, you could have slept with him before bailing.”

“Only guys think that way.” Allison paused. “Okay, so maybe women think like that too, but we don’t act on it as much. Speaking of which.”

“What?”

“You know what. You did something to chase Ben and Jace away.”

Tim shrugged. “It takes two to tango.”

Allison sighed, shaking her head. “Ben, Ben, Ben. Why does he never listen to me?”

“Nothing personal, but I’m glad he doesn’t.”

“I bet!” Allison gave him a playful slap on the arm.

Tim glanced over at her. “You aren’t pissed at me?”

“I don’t know all the details yet. Give me time.”

Why the hell not? Tim told her everything that had happened. She’d hear it all from Ben anyway.

“It’s just nostalgia,” Allison said when he was finished.

“No, it’s not.”

“It is. You’re both in love with the person you remember from high school. Have you changed?”

“Yeah, of course, but—”

“So has Ben.”

“That doesn’t mean it won’t work. We’re more compatible nowbecausewe’ve changed.”

Allison wasn’t convinced. “That’s what you think. You won’t know until you try. Everything is different now. When you first met Ben, he was desperate for any kind of relationship. He would have fallen for any guy willing to have him. After high school, he never had trouble finding a boyfriend, and since Jace, he’s been totally happy.”

“And yet he kissed me back.”