“For psychology, right?” Harper says, turning to wink at Josh. “So, we have a doctor, a psychologist, whatever international business rock star I’m going to be, we have Mira the artist, and…what about you, Kayla?”

“I’m not in school,” she says breezily, “I was out there…visiting.”

The laugh finally makes its way out, and I shake my head, cutting it off short.

“What’s so funny?” Harper asks. Josh and Kayla are looking at me, too.

My cheeks go hot. I shouldn’t have assumed they knew each other. How would that even make any sense?

I wave my hand at each of them. “Okay, this is really dumb, but I thought you all were friends.”

“That’s adorable,” Brecken says, and maybe it’s a jerky thing to say, but his smile in the mirror is friendly, revealing perfect white teeth.

Josh ignores me, but Kayla shrugs. “Maybe we all know each other in another life or some shit.”

“I like that,” Harper adds. She turns to look over the back of her seat with a smile directed at me. “Maybe this is all fate.”

“Or maybe it’s nothing and fate doesn’t exist,” Josh says.

“Wow,” Harper says. “Way to be a pessimist.”

Josh puts up his hand and forces a laugh that sounds worn. “I’m sorry. Rough day.”

“It is a crap day,” I say, feeling a twinge of mercy. “And I don’t even have crutches.”

“I was next to that crying woman on the plane. My knee was killing me, and the flight attendant wouldn’t let me get my meds out of my carry-on.”

Kayla looks on with interest. “I heard that! She was pretty pissed at you. Did you get them?”

“Not until we landed,” he says.

“So, I still don’t get how you found us all, Harper,” I say.

“Yeah,” Kayla agrees. “Do you always collect strangers at airports?”

“It all just worked out. Brecken was in line with me at the car rental place. I met you two on the escalator heading down there, and Mira and I hit it off on the plane, didn’t we, Mira?”

She’s so earnest, the way she looks at me. Like I’m some poor orphaned girl she’s compelled to befriend. My answering smile feels flat. “We sure did.”

Harper laughs. “See? I think it’s serendipity. Five total strangers connected over Christmas. For all we know this could be the start of some brilliant, lifelong friendship.”

“Sure,” Josh says, but he doesn’t sound like he buys it. “Have we seen any signs for I-80 yet?”

“Right,” I grumble. “I forgot our two resident meteorologists think we should head into the mountains in the snowstorm.”

“Wow,” Josh says, and he looks stung for the span of a breath. But he laughs again. “Okay, I see.”