Page 42 of Full Send

“Perfect. Sounds like a plan,” he says as he leans toward me, slanting his mouth and pressing his lips to mine. I savor the moment of this hot kiss, his tongue gliding hungrily along all the right spots in my mouth.

Shit. We both pull back at the sound of keys in the mudroom door.

Tanner shifts back and sits on the other side of the couch, legs crossed, his face immediately regaining his calm expression.

“Go over to the table, Ronni. Act like you’re cleaning.” He smiles, reminding me of why we stayed behind in the first place.

Fuck, he’s good.

Collin and Lizzy come in the mudroom door, pints of ice cream in hand, seconds after I reach the dining room table.

“Howdy guys. We hit the jackpot,” Collin says, as they each hold up two pints of ice cream.

“One pint for each of us!” Lizzy says, giddy for dessert.

“Did they have any peanut butter flavors?” I ask. Come on, I still want an actual dessert.

“Yep, coming at ya.” I look up at Collin, pint of ice cream already flying through the air at me, landing squarely in my hands.

“Nice catch, Ronni. What about me, bro?” Tanner asks. I choke down a laugh. You sir, already had your treat.

“How could I ever forget, Chap? Plain old vanilla, as always. You really gotta spice things up sometime, bro,” Collin says, tossing a pint towards Tanner. I hold in another laugh, thinking if only Collin knew.

“So, Collin. Lizzy. I was talking to Tanner about tomorrow night. Before you ask, it’s a carryout night on our itinerary.” I glare at them, enjoying that I cut off their joke before it could happen. “Instead of carryout here, Tanner says he’s got a guesthouse with a private hot tub we can use. He said it’s only a couple streets over and walkable. How’s that sound?”

Collin and Lizzy look at each other for a moment before looking back at me.

“Hell yeah! Sounds dope,” Collin says, never one to turn down a good time.

“Hmm. What’s the deal with this mystery guesthouse? Are we going to get kicked out for crashing a hot tub or have to avoid renters at the main house?” Lizzy has a skeptical look on her face.

Tanner gets up, heading to the kitchen for spoons. “Well. I told Ronni, TJ ain’t exactly hurting for money. He doesn’t even rent the house the eight or nine months of the year he isn’t here. Definitely a property manager’s dream.”

“Alright. I guess it does sound fun. And I did bring a swimsuit. Let’s do it,” she says.

“Awesome. Should be a great night. Dinner in the guesthouse and drinks in the hot tub.” Tanner eats a spoonful of ice cream, stealing a glance in my direction. “Besides, Ronni’s gotta see this dude’s kitchen. It’s absolutely insane. Might give her some ideas.”

“Alright, alright,” I say. “Now you’re talking my language. So let’s meet here after skiing tomorrow, change, and head overthere? Collin? Can you and Lizzy plan on going into town to grab the carryout?”

“Sure V, we can do that. I know you’ll be anxious all day if we don’t have tomorrow planned out for you,” he says, looking at Lizzy, rolling his eyes about my overzealous, anxiety reducing, need for plans.

“Thanks, big bro,” I say, enjoying the unintended benefit of needing to plan things out. I’ll get rid of Collin and Lizzy for an hour or so tomorrow so I can have some alone time with Tanner. I look at Tanner, a subtle grin on his face, approving of my machinations.

“Sweet,” Tanner says, clapping his hands together once, “sounds like a solid day.”

The night wears on, everyone devouring their ice cream, gathering on the couch and floor around the coffee table in front of the fire. Tanner nurses the same beer he’s had for a while, since he’s driving home later. Collin and Lizzy are nearing the end of a bottle of wine, hopefully their last for the night.

“So, ski day tomorrow, 8:30 AM at the tram center again. Meet at the condo after the slopes. Then carryout and hot tub at this dude TJ’s guesthouse?” Collin asks, as his eyes are starting to droop.

“Come on, Collin.” Lizzy glares back at him. “V’s gone over the plan for tomorrow at least three times tonight alone. Get with the program dude.”

“So, is that a yes?” He shrugs, palms up, looking for confirmation.

“Yes, Collin. That’s the plan,” I say, amused at how he always has to be reminded.

“Sweet. Hey, Chap,” he says, his eyes briefly more alert, “if you’re grabbing coffee tomorrow, can you get me a hot Cowboy Cubano? You know, since you left me hanging this morning.”

“Sure, bro. Since you’re conscious tonight and remembered to order, I’ll grab one,” he says, before looking at Lizzy, “How ‘bout you Lizzy? Happy to get your order too.”

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