Page 56 of Yours Temporarily

“That’s if we take another step.” Why would she even want me after meeting Mom?

My heart deflates at the possibility of Zuri not wanting me, so I talk about the impending bachelor party instead. “I’ve booked the Inn on Main for the party. Hope can bring her bridesmaids there if she wants to after they finish with whatever the girls are doing. The Stone siblings who’ll be in town for the wedding also plan to join us for the bachelor party.”

“Looking forward to catching up with the Stone boys I haven’t seen in a while.” Nostalgia leaves husky tones in his voice.

“Logan wasn’t sure he’d be back from Italy by Friday,” I mention, recalling my boss’s plans during his globe-trotting commitments.

In the quiet of our room, amidst the distant laughter from other rooms, I’m glad to have this moment here with my brother once again, planning another bachelor party for him, a real one this time with a bride joining him at the altar afterward. I’m mostly glad he’s not letting his past pain define his current newfound happiness. If he can move on, so can I.

CHAPTER 21

Jeremy

The morning’s chill nips at us as Zuri and I disembark from the ski lift, our boots shuffling into the untouched snow. April is not usually busy with its hit-and-miss snow, and this early, barely anyone’s out yet. The mountain’s northern side is less populated but still as beautiful. I’ll be taking Zuri there this afternoon if she wants to hit the more challenging trails.

The rising sun casts a luminous alpenglow over the familiar peaks, transforming the slope into a shimmering expanse.

“I guess waking up early means I can fall without an audience.” The navy wool scarf covering her mouth and neck muffles her lighthearted comment. “Lexi and Olivia won’t believe I was up skiing at six a.m.”

“I’m so proud of you.” Especially considering I hadn’t given her much notice when I texted her late at night, and she responded this morning willing to ski this early.

“I take it you and Sonya caught up with your past last night?” Her voice holds an edge.

Jealous? Perhaps she’s as into me as I’m hoping. My chest swells. While I’d like to update her about last night’s events in her absence, I’d rather leave Sonya and the exhaustion that comes with her out of this moment.

“You’re here with me, not Sonya,” I say. Does that fully convey the depth of my focus and affection for her?

“You go first.” She moves her ski pole to the left, shifting her ski along with it.

“You don’t think you need me close by?” I seek her face hidden behind her goggles and scarf, but I have to imagine her smile.

“We’re going to move slower if you wait for me.”

As asked, I take the lead, glancing back to ensure she’s close. She’s hesitant at first, slow, but she seems to remember the basics. Angling her skis, leaning into turns, which is what it takes to get through the slope.

As we glide down, her initial hesitation melts away, replaced by a burgeoning thrill as she kicks up the speed and her joyful laugh echoes around us. Her bravery and zeal draw me all the more, and when we make it down, we agree to take the lift again for another run. But first, we seek comfort in the warm cabin and hot chocolate. Adrenaline surges through me at Zuri’s excitement to hit the slopes again. A few people have shown up, but not enough to crowd the resort. So we queue for the lift, ready for another exhilarating descent. Then a familiar figure hurries up.

“Mind if I join you?” Sonya leaves no room for denial. Dressed in a white hat and jacket, as pristine as the snow itself, her presence casts a chill over me—her intentions likely not as pure. Her impeccably disastrous timing seems as if my brief spell of happiness conjured her presence. She climbs into the lift with a dramatic entrance and seems like she’s stumbling, so I catch her to help her back in.

“Thanks, Jeremy.” The morning breeze carries her words as the lift starts its ascent.

“Hi, Sonya,” Zuri greets.

“Oh, Zuri.” Sonya turns her head back, acting as if she just noticed Zuri’s presence. She waves dismissively, then eyes me with Zuri seated next to me. “It was fun catching up with Jeremy last night.”

With tension brewing, I don’t say anything. Neither does Zuri.

We jump off the lift. Before we can embrace the slope, Sonya stumbles into my chest as if she’s had a tumble. I have to stagger to get my balance as I extract her off me.

I sense Zuri’s assessing gaze. But I’m not confident enough to look at her, especially when Sonya stands on my other side raving about how talented I am at pool.

Great!

“I was hoping maybe tonight Zuri can let you off the hook again, so we can utilize the Jacuzzi.”

My hands tighten in my gloves. Enough is enough. It’s time to end whatever game she thinks she’s playing.

I look at her through my goggles. “Sonya, we need to talk.”

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