Page 94 of Forbidden Flame

“Not as old as you,” I said.

Marley reached for him. “I want you to ride with me.”

Heath shifted to her side, and Knox stood next to me. “What’s this I hear about you not going out last night? You have to live for the rest of us taken guys.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re happy with your lot in life. You just got married.”

Knox sobered. “It makes me want the same for you.”

My heart squeezed. I wished I could tell him that I was in the same situation. But I couldn’t.

“Anything going on between you and Daphne?”

My breath caught. “What if there was?”

“I’d say she’s not the best choice, and I’d be sure before I told anyone about it.”

I let out a breath, hoping I wasn’t making a huge mistake. “I think she might be it for me.”

“Are you being serious?” Knox asked as we moved up in line.

“I am.” I hated being apart from them. I just wanted to be with them. I resented the separation and having to pretend that we weren’t interested in each other.

Knox touched my shoulder. “Not everyone will be okay with it.”

I wanted to tell him that I didn’t care what Emmett thought, but the words got stuck in my throat. Then it was our turn to get on the lift. When Knox moved to get on with me, Addy sidled between us. “I want to go with Cole.”

“How can I say no to that?” I asked her, then winked at Sarah and Knox. “Looks like I have a date for the lift.”

“You’re a weirdo,” Addy said as I helped her onto the seat, then lowered the rail that went over our lap.

“Am I your favorite cousin?” I asked her.

She tapped her chin with her finger, pretending to think. “I like Charlotte. She colors with me and makes me pretty things.”

I hung my head. “I can’t compete with that. I’m not great at coloring in the lines.”

Addy giggled, and it reminded me that I’d get to see Izzy today. I missed her, and it had only been a few days since I’d seen her last.

I pointed out the things we could see from the higher vantage point: the skiers going down the mountain, the lodge, and the various slopes. All too soon, we were descending to the ground. I made sure she cleared the lift, then moved to the side to wait for Sarah and Knox.

While we waited, Addy reached for my hand. When she closed her hand around my gloved one, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be here with Izzy like this, to have maybe another child, one that was mine and Daphne’s.

Sarah and Knox joined us, and he leaned in to say, “You’re a natural with kids.”

“That’s what they say.”

Knox narrowed his eyes. “Who’s they?”

I just shook my head and pushed off with my skis. After this run, I was going to make an excuse and go inside so I could find Daphne and Izzy.

My heart soared at finally getting to see them. At the same time, my chest tightened because we wouldn’t be able to hang out in the open like this. I wasn’t sure how this trip would work, but I was determined to spend some time with them.

At the bottom of the slope, I waited for everyone to join me. Then I said I was going inside for a drink. It was still early, so no one else joined me.

There was a large tree by the entrance to the lodge that had already been decorated for the season. I took off my gear, slipped into my boots, and headed to my room, messaging Daphne on the way. When her room number came through, I was excited to see they were on the same floor as me.

I looked down the hallway before knocking on her door. Izzy opened it and threw herself at me. I should have been happy to see her, but my heart raced with the fear of getting caught. I patted her back and said, “Let’s go inside.”

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