Page 71 of Crashing into Love

“I miss Gia, too,” Drew replied, and she could tell Selma knew what she meant because she saw a ghost of a smile on Selma’s face before it disappeared.

Drew, for her part, was no longer sure what they were doing here. Selma had had her head on Drew’s shoulder that night at the park, and she’d kept it there through three songs before someone had pulled Drew up to dance to a faster song. Drew hadn’t wanted to move. She’d wanted to stay there all night, wrap her arm around Selma’s shoulders, and pull her in closer, keeping her warm and showing Selma that that was what she wanted at the same time. Now, they were flirting a little on FaceTime chats and talking about weird things about themselves. Selma was acting like she was going back to Drew’s place to stay soon and that they’d have breakfast together at the hotel again as well. Drew was trying so hard to remember that this woman was straight, but it was getting harder and harder.

“I can’t wait to see you,” she said, deciding to risk it. “Even if it’s in a competition.”

“I can’t wait to see you, either,” Selma replied right away, not needing a minute to think about her response this time.

Drew couldn’t hold back her smile.

“Maybe we could hang out there and not snowboard?” she suggested. “If your team will allow you to fraternize with the enemy, of course.”

“Well, I don’t have to tell them,” Selma replied with a wink.

Drew swallowed because, damn, that was a sexy wink.

“Aren’t you a little rebel, Selma Driscoll?”

“Rebels are cool, right? I wouldn’t know; I’ve never been one.”

“Yeah, rebels are cool.” Drew chuckled at her.

CHAPTER 22

“Hey,” Selma greeted when she saw her walk through the doors.

All the athletes in the boardercross competition were staying in the same hotel, but she hadn’t exactly told Drew that she’d wait for her in the lobby since Drew would arrive later than her. She’d been up in her room for over an hour, anxiously waiting for Drew to text that she’d landed, then again, when Drew had gotten her luggage, and a third time, when the woman was pulling up to the hotel. Selma hadn’t been able to wait any longer, so she’d gone down in the elevator and had sat on one of the lobby’s uncomfortable loveseats until she’d seen Drew walk through the first set of sliding glass doors. Selma had stood up and couldn’t stop her smile at seeing Drew walk through the second set of doors.

“Hey,” Drew replied with a matching wide smile on her face. “One second.”

Selma wasn’t sure what she meant, but then, Drew’s backpack was set on the floor, and Drew let go of her roller bag and placed her board bag against the wall next to them. Next, Drew walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. The only other time they’d hugged before had been that awkward goodbye at the airport when Selma had left Drew’s, but this one was far less awkward. It felt more like it was needed. She needed to hug Drew and didn’t want to let go, but someone said Drew’s name, and Drew turned to smile at whomever it was, essentially ending their embrace, so Selma pulled out of the hug as well.

“Do you need to go?” she asked.

“What? No, that’s just Ben. He’s on the team.” Drew waved. “Hey, man.”

“Hey. We’re having drinks later, if you want to join.”

Selma turned to see Ben Masters, one of the US half-pipe boarders, approach them. She waited for Drew to accept his offer and decided it had probably been stupid of her to come downstairs to meet the woman when Drew could’ve just texted when she was in her room and settled.

“I can’t, but thanks. Have a good time. Just don’t stay out too late. You’re competing tomorrow,” Drew reminded.

“No problem. Have a good night,” he said and turned to Selma. “Canada, right?”

“Yes, I am from Canada,” Selma replied.

“I meant that you’re a boarder from Canada. I’ve seen you race a few times. You’re good.”

“Thank you,” Selma said.

“Do you want to have drinks with us? It’s not a team thing. We’ve got a bunch of people going from everywhere, I think. No big deal; just some beers and food.”

Selma looked at Drew, who didn’t seem too happy that Ben had just invited her to join them.

“Super chill. I’ll buy your first round, if you want,” he added.

“I have plans. But thanks.”

“Another time. I’ll see you two around,” he said and walked off.

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