Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(85)

“What the media says about his romantic life is a big exaggeration.”

“Babygirl, you know how much I care about you, right?” I remain anxious.

“We are together, Emma,” she announces. “Like, really together. My father knows about us.” What? I gape at her. “We haven’t done it yet, but not because I don’t want to. I’ve tried to convince him many times, trust me. But because he wanted to talk to Dad first.”

“Wow.” I take a deep breath. “So, wait, Roy’s okay with you guys being together? I can’t believe this! Your father? Roy Van Gatt? The man who’s firmly against boys and sees them as a useless distraction? He’s okay with you being with a forty-year-old heartbreaker?”

“Well, they’re best friends. He knows him better than anyone else.”

Holy shit. My mouth remains wide open, still dazed by her revelation. My heart thundering, I take another puff of my cigarette and ask, “So, you mean, together together? Like a couple?”

She giggles. “Yes, together together, like a couple, like a serious monogamous relationship, like girlfriend and boyfriend.”

I’m speechless, utterly mute, my mind still digesting all this madness. I gasp, thinking about an eventual reality. “Wait. So does it mean you see Van Dieren as”—I swallow hard and try to put two words together that have no place whatsoever in the same sentence—“husband material?”

Petra blushes, chuckling, and lowers her gaze. “Yes,” she mumbles. “And”—she tucks some hair behind her ear with a tiny smile—“father material too.”

Have you lost your mind or what? “I should’ve smoked a joint before talking to you, instead of this shitty cigarette.” I glance around for some alcohol. “I need a drink.” She hands me her glass of champagne, which I drink all at once.

“Relax, Emma.” She laughs. “Alex and I haven’t talked about it. I’m just sharing my long-term goals.”

How can I relax? I take a deep breath and play the usual cool friend. “Well, I never thought you had such goals with him. I mean, it’s one thing to have fun; it’s another to…” I swallow nervously. “Anyway, good luck with that. If you marry him, I want to be maid of honor.”

We hear knocking on the door, and I shout for the person to come in.

One of the housekeepers steps inside. “Ms. Van Gatt, your driver has arrived.”

I glance at my watch. It’s just nine p.m. “You’re leaving now? But the party’s just starting.”

“I know, I’m sorry to leave so soon. I imagine we have a long trip ahead.” Petra hugs me tight. “Thank you so much for the amazing dinner, Emma. You’re incredible,” she whispers in my ear. “When will I see you again?”

“Hmm… Are you spending Christmas here?”

“No, I’m leaving for Rotterdam after my exams.”

“Well, then next year, I guess, around March for my mom’s birthday.”

“I’m gonna miss you.” She presses her lips against my cheek in a long, tender kiss.

“Me too, babygirl.” I smile at her big blue eyes, and I can’t stop thinking how lucky that asshole Van Dieren is. “Well, have fun with your boyfriend.”

“Thank you for everything, Emma. I’m so happy to have spent this time with you.”

We hug each other once more. I smell her jasmine perfume, feeling a deep squeeze in my chest. “You know I will always have your back, right?”

“I know,” she replies with a big, cute grin. Afterward, she stands up and leaves.

I remain sitting on the sofa, my appetite for partying totally gone. I’d have preferred not to know how serious their relationship is. One thing is for sure—if Van Dieren breaks her heart, for whatever reason, I will be in the front row, baseball bat in hand, ready to tear him down, just like I did with James… or maybe even worse.





Chapter 21





Aspen, December 5, 2019

Petra Van Gatt





After a flight that lasted over three hours, Alex and I have finally arrived in the state of Colorado—more precisely, in the beautiful ski area of Aspen.

“I can’t believe it! I know this place,” I babble happily as I step into the entryway of his winter residence—a private modern villa perched in the high altitude with mountains all around, overlooking the lake and village further down. “We used to come here during the winter! You taught me to ski here, right?” I ask, barely containing my excitement.

He smiles as I explore further.

I cross the dining room and look through the high windows, staring intently at the gardens, all covered in white. I smile at my childhood memories. “We used to build snowmen right in front. Do you remember?” I look to the sideboard beside me and gasp in surprise, taking in the framed picture. “You still have a photo of us and our snowman?” I laugh hard. “Oh God, you age so well. You look even better now. More adult.”

He chuckles, his eyes darting down to the picture, and he reaches out to lift my chin. “You too,” he murmurs before kissing my lips. My heart parts in fury with his kiss, craving to feel so much more of him, but I get a hold of myself. “You know, I haven’t been here for at least ten years. This house has been managed by an agency that rents it out all year long. The maid must have decided to put this frame back in its original place when I told her I’d be coming back with you.”