“Uhh, yeah, come in.”
She opens the door and sticks in her head. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I smile back at her.
“I know you like to walk by yourself usually, but it’s really coming down out there. Do you want to walk with us today?”
“Oh.” My brows furrow. Something about the way she said I like to walk by myself makes me pause. I guess from my actions that seems true, but really, I just don’t want to impose on their friendship just because we’re roommates now. “No. I’m okay. I still need to grab something to eat.”
“Are you sure?” Her gray eyes widen and her eyebrows disappear under her dark bangs as she waits for my response.
“Yeah. I’m okay, but thanks. I’ll see you at lunch.”
She waits another beat before nodding and then closing the door as she leaves. A few seconds later I hear the front door shut with their departure. I bundle up again and grab my backpack and phone. A blueberry muffin sits on top of a yellow napkin on the counter with my name scribbled on it. With a twinge of sadness, I smile at the considerate gesture.
I wrap it up and stick it in my bag for later and then head out. The snow falls in white flakes so thick I can barely make out my car parked along the curb.
When I get to the sidewalk, a silver truck comes to a stop next to me. I think he’s letting me cross and wave him to go ahead, but then he rolls down the passenger side window and leans over.
I met Everly’s brother one other time when he stopped by to see her, but I’m surprised to see him at this time of day.
“Did Everly already leave?” he asks.
“Yeah. About two minutes ago.”
He nods. “All right. She wasn’t answering her phone.”
“Do you need something? I could try to text her.” I pull out my phone. Snow drops onto the screen as I unlock it.
“No, I was just on my way to the arena and thought I’d swing by and see if you all wanted a ride this morning. It’s really coming down.”
“Wow, that’s so nice. I’ll let Everly know I ran into you.” I put my phone back in my pocket and brush a wet drop off my nose.
Tyler continues to stare at me through the thick blanket of snow. “Are you heading to class now? Do you want a lift?”
“Oh, no, that’s okay. I don’t mind the snow.”
His mouth twists into an uncomfortable smile. “Are you sure? It’s nuts out here and I’m going that way anyway.”
I hesitate again as more snow covers my coat and hat. My feet are already icy. “A ride would be great. Thank you.”
He leans over and opens the passenger door. I try to shake off as much snow as possible so I don’t get it in his truck, but he waves me off. “You’re fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“It still smells brand new.” I glance around, and to my chagrin, it also looks brand new.
“I just got it last week.”
“Oh my gosh. I am so sorry. I could walk, seriously.” The only mess in the entire truck is the pool of water and dirt from my shoes on the floor mat.
“Really. It’s fine.” His tone sounds completely genuine, but I am horrified.
I relax back into the seat and do my best to ignore the mess I made in his immaculate new truck as Tyler drives slowly through the snow-covered roads toward campus.
“How’s everything going?” Tyler asks. He and Everly don’t look that much alike. His hair is dark and his features are sharper, but they’ve both been so nice to me.
“Good. Your sister and Grace have been so welcoming, and the house is beautiful. I can hardly believe how well things worked out if I’m honest.”
He lifts his gaze from the road long enough to glance at me and nod. “Everly is really happy it worked out too. She doesn’t let that many people into her inner circle, but she speaks highly of you.”
“We have that in common,” I tell him, then add, “I really like her too.”
The snow doesn’t let up all day. My afternoon classes are cancelled and instead of trudging home for lunch, I grab a salad and find a table in the student center to study while I eat.
I pull out my laptop and glance around. I’m not the only one who decided to hunker down on campus. There’s something serene about sitting inside and watching the snow fall with the buzz of happy conversation and laughter all around.
Groups of friends and couples make up the majority of the tables. Not for the first time since my breakup with Gabe, I wonder how my life would be different if I’d never met him. Would I be here with my friends instead of sitting alone?