Page 1 of Passions & Peonies
Chapter 1
Lacey
“No, Sky!” I stop short and yank my suitcase to my side. “You’d better be joking!”
An older man bumps into my shoulder. “Get out of the way, missy,” he grumbles. I turn away from him, then move to the side of the walkway to avoid the bustling crowd.
“But why is your flight delayed? The blizzard isn’t supposed to hit until tonight.” I drop my backpack on top of my suitcase and press the phone to my ear. It’s loud in here.
“It has nothing to do with the storm,” Skylar explains calmly. “Supposedly, there’s a technical problem. They don’t know how long it’ll take to fix or to get another plane. I’m on my way to check if I can get on another flight.”Ugh!Nothing bothers her. She’s a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. I usually am too, but not recently.
“You’re never gonna get to JFK in time. You’ll miss our flight to St. Thomas.” I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. Like I need this shit right now.
“Don’t worry about me. We don’t want to lose our hotel room. Take the flight and I’ll meet you at the hotel sometime today or, worst comes to worst, tomorrow. I’ll find another connection or maybe find a direct flight.”
Skylar is my stepsister, and she’s as single as a Pringle as I am. She lives in Boston near my dad and stepmother. I didn’t really want to meet her when my dad mentioned that he was serious with a woman who had a daughter my age. I was ready to hate her when I met her, but instead we clicked instantly. We’ve been great friends ever since.
She was supposed to take a flight to JFK so we could fly together to St. Thomas. What a kick in the ass. Why our trip?
“This is such bullshit. I knew you should’ve flown here last night or taken the train.”
“You need to chill. I can feel you twitching through the phone. I know how badly you want to get out of New York City.” I can practically see her rolling her eyes. “Your signature peppiness better show up by the time I arrive.” I hear shuffling on the other end. “Lace, hold on a second.”
“Okay.” I squeeze my lower lip between my fingers.
What a funk I’m in. It’s the second week in April, and a snowstorm is headed our way. It’s spring, for crying out loud! The last time I saw snow in April was when I was little. I don’t mind winter so much in December, but once the holidays are over, I’m done. This year, I think it’s snowed every day since Christmas, and I am so over it! Nothing fun happens, and I end up staying inside and hibernating. Hot, sunny weather is what I live for. I always have.
When Skylar called me in January, saying that she had seen a good deal for a week at an all-inclusive resort in St. Thomas, she didn’t have to say much to convince me. We checked out airfare and booked everything that day. I’ve had a countdown on my calendar ever since.
My brother, Drew, and his fiancée, Sophia, got engaged last week… four months after they met. They’re made for each other and are ridiculously happy. But I’m surrounded by couples who just got married or engaged. I’ve been to six weddings in the last twelve months. So of course, everyone is asking me when I’m going to meet my future husband. How the hell should I know? It’s not like I have a crystal ball. I’m not even sure I want to get married.
It’s not only the brutal weather and all those happy couples. I’m at a point in my life where I’m asking myself, is this really it? I go to work every day, to a job I happen to love. My sister-in-law, Jocelyn, is a dress designer, and I’m one of her assistants. I get to work with family and my schedule is flexible. I have a cute apartment in New York City. I’m very lucky, but I’m bored. Is this what I’ll do day in and day out for the rest of my life?
I didn’t think I’d stay here. A little dream of mine was to live somewhere that’s warm all year round. Maybe with a beach nearby. I was planning to go to college in Florida, but then my parents announced unexpectedly that they were getting a divorce. It hit me and my two brothers hard, so I decided to go to school in the city to stay close to them. But now, I need a break from all this cold, stormy weather and crazy love stuff to sort out my head.
“Okay. I’m back,” she says. “I’m standing in a long line now waiting to talk to someone.”
“Sky, we’ve had this trip planned since January. This fucking better not be a sign that this vacation is going to suck.” I want to stomp my foot like a four-year-old.
“Everything happens for a reason, Lace. Enjoy getting out of the city. Don’t forget—while it’s snowing here, we’ll be sitting by the pool soaking up the sun. Just try to look at the positive side.”
“I usually do, but this just sucks.” An announcement over the loudspeaker interrupts, and I realize I need to get moving. “Anyway… I know you’re right. Hey, I’m about to get on the AirTrain. I’ll probably lose connection at some point. Go get an update and keep me posted.”
“Will do. I’ll see you soon.”
“Ciao.”
I end the call and stuff my phone into my backpack. The train doors open, and I squeeze myself and my small suitcase into the crowded space. I didn’t bring much with me… bikinis, shoes, a couple of cute outfits, and a lot of sunscreen. I wouldn’t even care if my suitcase got lost. I have a change of clothes in my backpack.
I cross my fingers in hopes that everything will run smoothly. I’m sure, as soon as my plane takes off, my usual smile will magically reappear.
I hope!
Chapter 2
Will
“We’re on standby, so let’s hope we get lucky. If only one seat becomes free, you can take it. You need to get out of here,” Josh says as we find seats in an empty row by the gate.