All Chapters of SNOWED IN With Best Friend's Father : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Chapter One: The InvitationThe last thing I expected when Riley Cross called me at eleven PM on a Tuesday was an invitation to spend Christmas at her family's Aspen estate."Please, Zara. I'm literally begging you." Riley's voice cracked through my phone speaker as I sat cross-legged on my lumpy futon, eating ramen straight from the pot. "My mother is bringing ‘him’."‘Him’ being Preston Vale, the thirty-two-year-old tennis instructor Amanda Cross had left her husband for five years ago. The same man who'd apparently proposed last month, judging by the rock I'd seen plastered all over Amanda's Instagram."Your dad agreed to this?" I asked, incredulous."He doesn't know yet." Riley groaned. "Mom just texted me. She wants to 'heal the family' and have a 'mature adult Christmas' together. She's bringing Preston whether Dad likes it or not. I can't do this alone, Z. I need you there."I should have said no. I had a million reasons to say no. My freelance design work was barely paying ren

Chapter Three: CaughtRiley stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes moving between me and her father.Nick dropped his hand from my face like I'd burned him. He stepped back so fast he almost knocked over his desk chair."Riley," he said, his voice rough. "It's not what it looks like.""Really?" Riley's voice was shaking. "Because it looks like you were about to kiss my best friend."My face felt like it was on fire. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole."I was just... we were just talking," I stammered."Talking." Riley laughed but it sounded wrong. Hurt. "Sure. That's why you're both standing there looking guilty as hell.""Riley, please," Nick said. He ran his hand through his hair, and I could see how tired he looked. How stressed. "Can we talk about this tomorrow? When everyone's calmer?""I'm perfectly calm, Dad." But her hands were shaking. "I came down here because I couldn't sleep. Because I'm worried about you. And I find you with Zara looking like... like..."Sh

Chapter Five: Breaking Point"I don't care where they go," Nick said, his voice deadly calm. "But they're not staying here."Amanda laughed like he'd told a joke. "Don't be ridiculous, Nicky. Look at them. They've already unpacked. Besides, you have twelve bedrooms in this house. Surely you can spare a few."The people scattered around the living room looked uncomfortable. A blonde woman in designer clothes set down her champagne glass. A tall man in an expensive suit cleared his throat."Maybe we should get a hotel," the man said. "We don't want to impose.""You're not imposing," Amanda said quickly. "Nick is just being dramatic. He'll calm down.""No, I won't." Nick's jaw was tight. "This is my house. You don't get to invite people without asking me first.""I'm Riley's mother. This is her home too.""Actually, it's not." Riley's voice was shaking with anger. "Dad bought this place after you left. You have no right to be here at all."Amanda's face went red. "How dare you speak to m

"It's eleven in the morning," I pointed out."I don't care. My mother just moved into my dad's house with her boy toy and a bunch of wedding guests. If there was ever a time to day drink, this is it."Nick almost smiled. "I'll join you."We ended up in the kitchen. Nick poured whiskey for himself and Riley. He offered me some but I shook my head. I needed to keep my brain clear."So what's the plan?" Riley asked. "We can't just let her take over for two weeks.""We ignore her as much as possible," Nick said. "We stay out of her way. We let my lawyers handle the legal part. And we survive until she's gone.""What about the wedding plans? She's going to try to have the wedding here.""There is no wedding happening on my property. I don't care what legal games she plays." Nick's voice was hard. "She can plan whatever she wants. On New Year's Eve, if she tries to have a ceremony here, I'll have the police remove everyone.""Good," Riley said fiercely.We sat in silence for a moment. Outsi

To take a breathe. No, you're judging people without knowing the facts." Riley pulled me to my feet. "Come on, Z. We don't have to sit here and listen to this."We left the living room. Behind us, I heard Nick and Margaret start arguing. Amanda's voice joined in, playing peacemaker while stirring up more trouble.Riley and I went to the kitchen. She poured us both coffee with shaking hands."I'm sorry," she said. "My grandmother is being awful.""She's just protecting your dad. I get it.""No, she's being judgmental and close minded. You didn't do anything wrong." Riley's eyes were bright with tears. "None of this is fair."Preston walked into the kitchen. He stopped when he saw us. "Bad time?""Always," Riley muttered.He poured himself coffee and leaned against the counter. "For what it's worth, I told Amanda she shouldn't have called Margaret. This whole thing is getting out of hand.""You think?" Riley's voice was bitter."I know you don't believe me, but I'm not trying to make t