Gio knew Noah wasn’t completely convinced about him not stressing out. And as much as he told himself it really wasn’t any of his business and his friendship with Felix should come first, that’s the part that was seriously beginning to bother him.

After only a few hours with Bianca, he already felt sorry for her—and annoyed as hell at Felix. No telling what a few more days and weeks around her would do to him.

CHAPTER 6

The next morning Gio woke to sounds of trucks outside. He peeked out the window and sure enough the plows were going. Gio had seen Felix’s private plows on the property last night. Now he knew why he had three. The entire long driveway had been snowed in overnight. Gio expected the winter to be white up here. He knew that’s what Big Bear was known for but this seemed a bit much.

He showered and dressed in his favorite pair of jeans and a dark thermal. Once fully dressed he walked into the living room where Bianca stood in front of the television holding a mug in her hand. She was still in a bathrobe and her hair looked damp. When she heard his footsteps, she turned giving him a weak smile.

Gio sucked in a breath for two reasons: for starters, she’d washed off all of yesterday’s makeup giving her that innocent fresh look like back in school. This was the Bianca he remembered and the look brought with it even more memories. Memories of staring at her when she was reading in class, though he’d made sure she never caught him.

But she looked troubled now. From his angle, he couldn’t see what she was watching but he could guess. If they were airing the same thing he’d watched last night about Felix, that would do it. “Morning,” she said as he got closer. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a baby.”

She smiled again just as weakly as the first time. He hated to ask but he may as well get it over with. He’d find out soon enough. “Something wrong?”

She nodded and glanced back at the TV. “The storm last night. It’s good for the local businesses but only when the tourists down below can get up here. Looks like the main highway up here is completely closed down.” The corner of her lip lifted. “Felix is finally on his way but now the airport up here is closed. He’ll have to land at the airport in Ontario then wait it out down there. It may be another day before he gets up here.” She shrugged. “The only good thing is I took the whole weekend off. I would’ve never made it out of here in time to get to the shop. Even with three plows they’re just now finishing up plowing the driveway. The shop opened a few hours ago. This is the most snow we’ve had in years. It’s a mess out there.”

Gio came around to get a better look at the television screen. The news coverage went from pictures of power lines down, car after car stuck in the snow, and then to people struggling to shovel pathways from their front door to their cars. They listened to the rest of the broadcast without saying a word as the newscaster concluded that the main highway would most likely be closed until the following day. Bianca groaned.

“She didn’t say anything about the airport.” Gio offered. “That might open up sooner.”

His phone buzzed in his pocket and Gio pulled it out. It was a text from Felix.

Just landed in Ontario. I’m sorry, man. I’m trying to get up there. I really am.

Gio smiled and started to text back.

“Is that Felix?” Bianca asked.

Gio nodded glancing up at her. “Yeah, he said he just landed in Ontario.”

He sent off his response to Felix.

Don’t worry about it. You’ll get here when you get here. The accommodations in the meantime aren’t too shabby so I’m good.

“Is he telling you about today?” Bianca walked past him and into the kitchen where Amparo was preparing breakfast.

Gio looked up at her curiously. “No, what about today?”

“He said once they clear up the driveway I should take you snowboarding.” She turned and smiled at him as she poured herself more coffee. “He feels bad that he has us both hanging around waiting for him.”

Gio’s phone buzzed again and he checked the text again.

So you and Bianca snowboard today. I already talked to her. Enjoy… the snowboarding. NOTHING else ass! Don’t worry. I’ll hook you up once I’m up there. We’ll all go out if this f**king weather ever lets up!

Gio smirked glancing up at Bianca again. “He just told me. Sounds good, but I’ve never snowboarded.” He lifted a hand to give him a second while he responded to Felix again.

Got it. And relax, you’ll be up here soon enough.

Gio knew Felix was only kidding about the nothing else part of his message. Normally he wouldn’t have a problem busting any of his friends’ balls. Even on something like this, but this felt different. He didn’t want to start any of that kind of talk. Not even in a playful way. So he wasn’t even touching on the comment.

He stuck his phone in his pocket and glanced up at Bianca again who was pulling another mug out of the cabinet. “You want some coffee?”

“No thanks. I’m not much for coffee. But I’ll take some orange juice if you have any.”

Amparo opened the refrigerator and pulled out a glass pitcher. “Freshly made,” she said with a smile. “Breakfast is also ready. So whenever you two are ready I can serve it.”

Gio met Bianca back at the dining table after she’d changed. Seeing her now no longer glammed up but in jeans, a soft sweater and her sneakers sent Gio right back to senior year World History class. She’d even pulled her hair back in a simple ponytail like she used to wear it back then. Gio gulped, irritated with himself, and forced himself to look away. This time Ray and Ignacio joined them for breakfast so he turned his attention to them, smiling as he took his seat.