Page 57 of Yours Temporarily

“Of course,” she sings out, apparently having no clue of my brewing anger. “That’s what I want too.”

“I’ll meet you two down there.” Zuri launches herself down the slope with a grace that belies her learner status. Anger seems to fuel her skill, leaving me between frustration and admiration.

I’ll catch up with Sonya’s drama later.

“Wait, Zee!” My voice barely catches the wind as I shift to set for her, but Sonya’s grip halts my momentum. At the sudden pullback, my skis skid, and my balance wavers again. I lean toward the snow, planting my poles and skis to steady myself.

“What do you want from me?” The question escapes in a burst of anger, my patience worn thin. I pry my arm free from her grasp. I lower my thermal scarf from my face so nothing can muffle my words or obscure their meaning. “You jilted me. I moved on.”

“I thought we could talk.” She lowers her ski mask to her neck. “Try again.”

Her words are read from the script of Mom’s playbook.

“Did my mom put you up to this?” I shift my skis to create a safe distance between us, irked by visions of her throwing herself at me and kissing me the way Lucky kissed Gavin to upset Hope. Being friends, Sonya and Lucky share the same tactics.

“You eloped with another guy without as much as a breakup. Now, you think you can waltz back into my life?” My rising voice must betray my frustration. “Do you see me as some kind of backup plan?”

Her jaw drops. She mustn’t have anticipated any resistance.

“Did you think I’d be here waiting for you to decide?”

She fumbles with her gloved fingers. Her insistence on reclaiming my attention now seems even more misplaced.

“I’m sorry for everything.” Her apology is somewhat hollow, but it’s relieving to get an overdue apology in any form.

“Don’t be. You have your life, and I’ve moved on too.” I shouldn’t have barked at her in the first place, but seriously!

She nods, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. Then she presses her lips together. “Zuri is lucky.”

“I’m the lucky one.” If I can figure out a way to work on my speech to tell Zuri I’ve fallen deeply in love with her. But I did that with Sonya, and look where it got me. Back to square one.

Yet Zuri is different from Sonya. I know that deep down. Maybe I’ll tell her after she opens her café, when she’s not distracted from starting a business.

“As long as we can always remain friends?” Sonya’s voice pulls me back.

“What choice do I have?” I wave toward the cabin, hinting at the unchangeable family dynamics where past relationships linger like unwelcome guests. “Our families are friends.”

“Race you down?” She quirks a brow, her tone light, and pulls her ski mask over her mouth and nose.

“That I can do.” My competitive spirit ignited, I reposition my scarf, determined to claim this victory as my own. With my skis and poles firmly in the snow, I descend the slope, a flurry of motion, and ski past her, crossing the finish line first, though she’s right behind me.

“How do you always win? You hardly ski in California,” she asks as we make our way to the wooden shelter where a few people are sliding on their snow gear.

“Just because Mom doesn’t fill you in on everything about me, doesn’t mean I don’t find time to hit the slopes.” Honestly, I pretty much save skiing for whenever I come home.

“You were always the adventurous one between us.” She laughs, reminiscing about a time when my impromptu ski escapades left everyone worried and amazed.

This time, her laughter is more relaxed than forced. I’m glad we talked things out instead of me ignoring her.

Zuri is standing on the lodge’s porch. Her bright blue coat, one of the spare ones we keep in the cabin for guests, complements her skin tone and fits her perfectly, emphasizing her well-balanced figure. Man, she looks so fun to hold.

She’s taking pictures, or so I think until she glances my way. Then I sense the storm of emotions assailing her face—sadness, disappointment, perhaps even betrayal. Ouch, that strikes a chord within me.

Does she feel sidelined or threatened by Sonya? If so, I must mend the oncoming rift between us.

“Meet you back at the cabin for breakfast.” Sonya’s words fade into the background as I make my way to Zuri.

But Zuri turns, pretending to take a picture and acting as if she can’t see me.

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