Page 92 of Snow

“I wasn’t worried. I was processing what you said.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?”

“Yes.”

She shook her head and started walking again. “Well, you can stop processing. It wasn’t anything like that.”

Snow fell into step beside her. “So how’d it go?”

Nova was quiet for a moment before releasing a long breath. “Surprisingly well, actually. It was a good conversation.” She glanced down as they walked. “One we probably should’ve had two and a half years ago.”

Snow frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I think we finally admitted something neither of us wanted to admit back then. Rick and I were together because everyone expected us to be together. Our families ran in the same circles, our fathers did business together, we looked good on paper.” She shrugged. “Somewhere along the way, I think we confused everyone else’s expectations with what we actually wanted.”

Snow listened without interrupting.

“He apologized,” she continued. “Like really apologized. Not the bullshit I’m-sorry-you-got-hurt kind of apology. He owned what he did and told me he never meant to hurt me.”

Snow’s jaw tightened despite himself. “He still did.”

“Yeah.” Nova nodded. “And I told him that. I believe he’s sorry, but being sorry doesn’t erase what happened. He made a choice, and that choice hurt me a little. There isn’t an excuse for it.”

Snow glanced at her, feeling a quiet surge of pride at the certainty in her voice. There was no bitterness there. No lingering hope either. Just acceptance.

Maybe that was what she had needed all along. She just needed some closure.

“So where does that leave you two?”

“Friends with business ties.” She gave him a small smile. “But not together.”

“Good.”

Nova shot him a sideways look.

Snow shrugged. “What? I’m allowed to have an opinion.”

“Of course you are.”

He caught the amusement in her voice. “Don’t start.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You never have to.”

She laughed softly.

They continued down the corridor for several more steps before Snow remembered the much larger problem.

“What about the engagement announcement?”

Nova’s smile disappeared. “That’s a little more complicated.”

“Considering half the world apparently thinks you’re marrying the guy, I’d say so.”

“Not half the world.”

“Fine. The state of Utah.”