Ice & Prejudice

Chapter 42

Ria's POV:

As I sat in the passenger seat of the car Nik's father had left for us at the airport, I tried to focus on the scenery outside the window, but my thoughts kept drifting back to where we were headed. The Wolves' family home. Even the thought of it sent a wave of anxiety through me. It felt like I was walking into a trap, and the fact that I was going there with Nikolai, of all people, wasn't helping.

Nik was talking, something about the drive and what we'd do when we got there, but his words blurred into the background as my mind spiraled. What if this was some kind of sick joke? What if they were all in on it? They could be setting me up, laughing behind my back the whole time. I felt the panic rising, my breathing growing shallow as my thoughts raced.

"Victoria?" Nik's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I blinked and looked over at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

He glanced at me, his eyes softening as he saw the worry on my face. "Hey, everything's going to be fine. I promise."

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely convinced. But before I could dwell on it further, my phone started ringing in my lap. I glanced at the screen and saw Stacy's name flashing. Great timing.

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?!" Stacy's voice practically screamed into my ear, making me wince.

I held the phone a little away from my ear, giving Nik a quick glance. He was smirking, clearly amused by the whole situation. "Uhh...Oregon," I replied, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible.

"Oregon?" Stacy's voice was calmer now, but I could still hear the confusion and concern. "Why didn't you tell me you were going home for the holidays? I was stressing out so badly, Ria. I thought something happened to you."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I said, my voice hesitant. "It was kind of... an impulsive decision."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Nik glance over at me, a knowing look on his face. I could tell he was enjoying this far too much.

"Impulsive?" Stacy repeated, sounding even more confused. "That doesn't sound like you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Stace. Really," I assured her, trying to keep my tone light. "I just... needed a change of scenery."

There was a pause on the other end, and I could almost hear Stacy thinking it over. "Okay... well, as long as you're alright. But next time, let me know before you disappear to the other side of the country, okay?"

"I will," I promised, feeling a pang of guilt for not telling her the full truth. But there was no way I could explain that I was headed to Thanksgiving dinner with the Wolves family without her completely losing it.

We exchanged a few more words before hanging up, and as I put my phone away, I noticed Nik trying to suppress a grin. He didn't even bother hiding it when I turned to face him.

"What?" I snap, narrowing my eyes at him.

"You basically lied to your best friend," he said, his tone dripping with amusement.

"I didn't lie," I retorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "I just... didn't tell her everything."

"Uh-huh," he said, clearly not buying it. "Avoiding the full truth is still lying, Victoria. Not that I blame you. After all, telling her you're spending the holidays with the 'evil Wolves family' would probably give her a heart attack."

"Eyes on the road," I grumbled, reaching over to push his face back so he faces the road, and stops piercing be with those ridiculously hot gray eyes of his. But the blush creeping up my cheeks betrayed how flustered I was.