"I barely remember. All those little towns in Vermont look the same."
"Anyway, at night the downtown shops light up their windows with white Christmas lights. It really was pretty. Sophie loved it."
"And? Then what happened?"
"We walked back to the inn and I walked her to her room."
"But you didn't go inside."
"No. She had too much to drink and wasn't feel great so I helped her to her room and that was it."
He eyes me. "Why do I get the feeling there's more?"
I take a big gulp of my beer.
"What else happened?" Pete asks. "Lay it all out. It's just between you and me."
I set my beer down and shake my head. "I didn't intend for it to happen."
"Shit, you slept with her, didn't you?"
"No, but I almost kissed her. To be fair, I'd had a lot to drink, but I was sober enough to know what I was doing. We'd had such a great night, probably the best night I've ever had with a girl, and she looked so damn beautiful. Deep brown eyes. Silky brown hair. Beautiful smile. It's like her face has this light to it. I can't even explain it other than to say I couldn't look away. I didn't want her to go."
"What the hell, man?" Pete practically spits out the beer he was drinking. "You freaking like this girl, and definitely not in the friend way. Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
"Because I didn't want it to be true. I've been dating Celine for a year. Then I go to Vermont and meet this girl and now I don't know what's happening. I don't know why I can't stop thinking about her."
"You've gotta just forget about her. She obviously doesn't feel the same way, and you're with Celine."
"I think that's about to end," I say, swigging my beer. "I'll have another," I tell the bartender.
Pete's eyes widen. "You're breaking up with Celine? Are you serious?"
"I don't see a future with her. We hardly have anything in common and we don't have fun together anymore. Honestly, I've never really had fun with her. She's always so serious. She can't relax."
"Dude." He puts his hand on my shoulder. "Think about this. You give up Celine, you lose your job. Your car. Your future at a company that could be yours someday."
"I know all that, but I can't be with someone I don't love."
"You don't love her?" Pete drops his hand from my shoulder. "Is this because of Sophie?"
I pick up the beer the bartender dropped off and take a drink. "It isn't about Sophie. I was feeling this way even before I met Sophie. Celine and I just aren't right for each other. I kept telling myself I was only feeling that way because she kept pressuring me to get married. Like I was looking for excuses not to, but that's not what it was. And yes, it took meeting Sophie for me to finally put that together."
"Put what together?"
"That Celine and I just don't work. I can't even talk to her without her interrupting, like whatever I'm saying doesn't matter."
"That's just Celine. She's like that with everyone."
"But it should be different with me. If we're in love and talking about getting married, I should be able to tell her things without her constantly interrupting me. I listen to her for hours and yet I can't get even get her attention for a few minutes. And she refuses to do anything outside of New York. She won't even go to Boston with me to see my parents. They had to come here to meet her."
"What about your job? Are you seriously willing to give that up just because you're having problems with Celine? Why don't you guys try couple therapy? It worked for my brother and his wife."
"Therapy can't fix this. Celine isn't going to change and I don't expect her to. She is who she is, and I knew that when I met her. But I've realized she's not the type of girl I want. I need someone I can talk to. Someone who likes the same things I do."
"And Sophie's that girl."
"I'm not saying that. I'm just saying Celine isn't. As for my job, I'm not going to get fired over this. Roger knows I'm an asset to the company. He's not going to get rid of me because I broke up with his daughter."
"Are you sure about that? She's daddy's little girl."
"Exactly, so he wants her to be happy. She won't be happy with me. I think even Celine knows that. She's just not willing to admit it."
"When are you going to tell her?"
"I haven't decided. I wanted to do it this weekend but we're going to her friend's wedding on Saturday. She'd kill me if I didn't go with her after I told her I would."
"Then tell her on Sunday. You can't keep putting this off. It's not fair to either one of you. If this is really what you want, then end it. Don't wait."
I take a big gulp of my beer, knowing he's right but not feeling ready to tell her. I don't know why I'm waiting. I just need to do it.
My phone rings but I ignore it, assuming it's something work-related that I can deal with tomorrow. As it continues to ring, I glance down and see Sophie's name on the screen.
"Holy shit," I say, scrambling to pick up the phone. "It's her." I answer the call. "Hey, how's it going?" I say, trying to sound cool.
"Aiden? It's Sophie."
My pulse races hearing her voice. I love her voice. Soft and low. Sexy, yet sweet.
"I'm glad you called." I turn away from Pete. "I was getting worried when I didn't hear from you. I wanted to make sure you made it home safe."
"Sorry. I should've got back to you, but I wasn't sure if I should call."
"Why not?"
"Because I..." I hear her take a breath. "I
