Page 119 of Falling Like Snow

“You’re freezing.”

“I’m fine. Everything is fine. Go back inside,” I tell him. “Sorry I bothered you guys.”

“You didn’t bother us.”

“Okay. Whatever you say.” The bite in my voice startles even me.

His expression flickers with surprise. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong! Go… take your space.”

“Is that why you’re so upset right now? Because I needed some time?” he asks.

“I’m not upset. Now please go away. I’m sure Daphne is waiting for you.”

“O-kay… so you’re upset that I’m with Daphne?”

“No!” I yell. Then I shake my head, my voice lowering. “I don’t know.”

“You do know. You’re upset that I’m hanging out with Daphne.” Asher takes a slow, deliberate step toward me. “Why?”

I let out a shaky breath as my eyes meet his. “I don’t know.”

“Why, Sloane?”

“Because I don’t like it!”

“So… what? You’re jealous?”

“Ugh! I know it’s awful and… primitive. But I guess I’m not that evolved, okay? Yes! I’m jealous. You’re my best friend. You’re my person.” I cross my arms over my chest. “You. Are. Mine.”

He nods, trying not to smile. “I know.”

“It’s not funny.”

“I know that, too.”

“It’s a problem,” I say.

“Sounds like it.”

I dig the toe of my boot into the snow. “I’ll get over it.”

He stares at me but says nothing, even though I swear he looks like he wants to.

“But you have to stop being mad at me about the cake,” I say. “I don’t know what else to do. I’ve apologized a zillion times, and you won’t forgive me. If I could take it back, I would. And I know it’s selfish, but I can’t take you being upset with me anymore. It was a cake, Asher! Don’t you think you’re—”

“Oh my god, Sloane!” he yells. “It wasn’t about the cake!”

“What?”

“It was never about the cake!” he says. “The same way you being here in your pajamas, jealous that I was hanging out with Daphne, isn’t about me being your best friend!”

I blink. “What do you mean?”

“I think you know exactly what I mean.”

“Clearly I don’t,” I tell him—even though maybe I do. But I don’t know if I’m reading the situation the way I want to read it or the way it’s supposed to be read. Either way, I’m too afraid to say the words I came here to say.