Page 1 of Unwrapped
It was supposed to be a relaxing winter retreat. Except my friends failed to mention the hot doctor I loved in college wouldalsobe staying at the cabin we rented.
Dr. Dean West broke my heart, but I never forgot him. Not even when I dated his twin brother. Despite the years of distance, our chemistry burns hotter than ever. So do our reasons for staying apart.
When a blizzard snows us in, I discover he’s not the same mild-mannered man I knew in college. No, the naughty stranger who ties me to his bedisn’tafraid of taking what he wants.
But I need more. I want our relationship tied up in a pretty bow. But not every girl gets what she wants for Christmas.
Mood Music: “Someone Like You” by Adele
Much like a well-fitting bra, road trip snacks are a necessity. I’m not talking about bottled water and granola bars, either. Who wants flavorless beverages and boring grains when there are tons of more palatable options?
Like coffee and cupcakes, for instance.
Lena Hamilton, my friend and colleague, yanks the passenger door open. “Here. Take these before I spill them.” She’s balancing two to-go cups and a white box full of decadent treats from Compass Roasters, a coffee shop and gourmet bakery near Manhattan’s Bryant Park. She insisted we stop for refreshments before hitting the road, but had I known she would come out with an armload of stuff, I would’ve gone inside with her instead of waiting at the curb.
I grab the coffees and set them in the center console. “I’m impressed with your carrying skills,” I tease, taking the box so she can get settled. “You sure you weren’t a waitress in a past life?”
“Oh, hell no. I’m super clumsy. I’d probably dump people’s drinks on their heads.” Snorting a laugh, she slides into her seat, closes the door, and clicks her seatbelt. “I’m not kidding, Cami,” she reaches for the box, smiling when I hand it over, “these are thebestcupcakes you’ll ever eat.”
“My standards aren’t high. I mean, as long as there’s frosting, I’m happy.” I point to her lap. “Why’d they give you such a huge box? Did you buy out the place or something?”
Mischief dances in her jade green eyes. “No comment.”
“Seriously, how many are in there?”
Lena grins as she pulls on her sunglasses. “Well, it’s a long ride, and I wanted you to get the full Compass Roasters experience, so I may or may not have bought one of each flavor.”
I raise an eyebrow. “As in?”
“Fourteen.”
“You do realize this bed and breakfast is only two hours away?”
“Your point?”
“I said we needed roadsnacks, not a fourteen-course meal.”
Lena caresses the lid. “Girl, you know how I feel about desserts.”
She takes them very,veryseriously.
“True, but—”
“Besides, variety is the spice of life and whatnot.” She pulls out her lip gloss and smooths it on. “Whatever we don’t finish, we can share with your friends. It’s a win-win.”
We’re traveling upstate to the Mid-Hudson Valley for a long overdue reunion with my pharmacy school roommates.
I’ve been out of college for a decade. Even though I don’t see my crew as often as I’d like, we’re just as close as when we all lived together. We try to meet as a group at least once annually, but there’s always someone missing, thanks to our chaotic schedules. This is the first time in three years all six of us will be together. Thanks to the flu, I was the one absent from last year’s gathering. Up until a few days ago, I didn’t think I’d get to attend this year either, but I finally convinced one of my grumpy coworkers to swap weekends with me.
I ease my Volkswagen into traffic and head for the highway. “Did you pack everything I told you to bring?”
“Yup. I’ll have you know, I bought snow pants just for this trip.”
Most of us wound up in New York City or the Hudson Valley, so we alternate between the two locales for our gatherings. We try to hit the ski slopes whenever we meet upstate.
“Perfect.”
Lena chews her lower lip. “Are yousureyour friends are OK with me tagging along?”
