Free Yearning for Love by Alexis Lauren

where I grab my e-reader. Thankfully, it’s loaded with lots of good books, so I can stay occupied in the living room. Back downstairs, I choose a seat as far away from Nate as possible – by the tree. Ashleigh plops herself on my lap, and asks me about myself, so I indulge her. Stuffing my e-reader between my thigh and the arm of my chair, I tell the little girl that I live and work in El Paso. Unfortunately, that leads to a succession of questions about my work,   and Nate decides to jump in with the gem that I work for him. Thank you. Mr. Drummond!
    Ashleigh’s parents get confused looks on their faces, as they haven’t seen me interacting with Mr. Drummond at all. When Ashleigh’s dad tries to ask, my mom intercedes, introducing another topic. Mom, I owe you!
    “I’ll be staying here, celebrating with anyone who wants to ring in 2013. We’ll have drinks, sparkling cider and snacks, as well as noisemakers,” Mom says. “Corey, what will you be doing?”
    “I have no plans to go out.  I just want to stay close to home,” I say. It’s the truth – mostly.
    Mom’s guests all weigh in with their plans – staying at the B&B, or going to the Inn of the Mountain Gods to celebrate, dance, and drink the night away.
    I take this opportunity to remind our guests that the road between Ruidoso and the Inn is winding and dangerous at night, especially if black ice builds up. “If you’ve had too much to drink, please make sure you have reservations at the Inn. When you’re sober again, your room will be right here,” I tell them.
     
    Nate :  I’ve arrived in Ruidoso and I’m settling into my room. Corey is steadfastly refusing to look at me, much less talk to me. Can I blame her? Hell, no! She’s stayed in the kitchen, brought her Kindle down with her, and spoken almost exclusively with that little girl’s family. She won’t even sit near me. God, I fucked up! Looks like I’m going to have to stay at least through New Year’s Day, if not longer. Fortunately, two can play this game. I can ignore her just as easily as she’s ignoring me. I’ll just make myself indispensable to her mother.  Oh, shit, what’s that smile on Corey’s face all about? She looks  . . . relieved about something.
     
    Corey :  When I go to bed, I’m working through the details of my idea to stay and work here. I want to look at everything, and think of all the objections mom could come up with. I take my Kindle back upstairs with me, and after I brush my teeth and shower, I settle into my lonely bed with a book to read. I chose a cute and engaging – and gripping YA novella to read. I grow absorbed in a story called “My Betrayal.” I read about Lily’s mistake in dating a boy from her high school while she’s dating Gabe. She’s quickly pulled into a spiral of stalking, isolation and a near date rape, before she is able to outwit Tyler, the boy she went out with.
    Finally, my eyes begin to grow heavy. Turning my reader off, I put it away, and turn the light out. I must be totally exhausted, because I sleep heavily, even though Nate is in another room. When my alarm goes off at 5:30 in the morning, I’m feeling slightly better. I dress warmly because it’s cold and threatening to snow. With my hair worn down and minimal makeup on my face, I hurry downstairs to help my mother get breakfast ready. As we work on the French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs and toast, I broach my idea to her.
    “Mom, I’ve decided that I’m going to resign my job, no matter what. I’d like to give up my apartment and move up here with you. What do you think?”
    “Why would you isolate yourself up here? I enjoy it because that’s what I want. You’re not even 21, Corey. I’d love to have you up here! But not if you’re going to feel isolated and locked away from the activity I know you enjoy.”
    I reply,“I thought about that. Las Cruces is three hours away, and the Inn, thirty minutes. If I need to go have the fun that’s not