Page 24 of Full Send

“So, making any special knives right now?”

“Actually yeah. I made some here and there for the Eclectic Elk and some of my grandparent’s friends and I’m working on a few more. But I’ve got one I’ve been working on for a while. Something special for the owner of a property I manage.” A dreamy smile takes over his face. I can tell he really loves working on these knives.

“Oh really? What’s special about it? I used the set you gave us for the condo last night. Still the best knives I’ve ever used by the way, even if my finger got caught up in some friendly fire.” I hold up my bandaged finger tip to show him the damage.

“Ouch. Sorry about that,” he says, wincing as if he’s responsible for the cut from the other night. “Well, the new one is a classic K-Tip chef’s knife but with a type of Damascus steel I haven’t tried before. Honestly can’t say much else about it, haven’t decided exactly where I want to go with it yet and not sure if it’ll work out.”

He shrugs and breaks eye contact. “We’ll see where it goes. But I think it just might end up being my favorite when I’m done with it, if I get it to work out anyways.”

He takes a drink of his water before bringing his eyes back to mine. “What about you? Still single and still at the cubicle farm back home?”

I can’t hide my reaction, I stare in disbelief, my mouth open. Did he really just say that? I mean he’s not wrong but that still stings.

“Looks like you can see right through me too, I guess,” I say. I turn to talk to Lizzy and Collin, when I feel a strong hand grab my wrist stopping me.

“Hey. I’m sorry, Ronni. Didn’t mean it that way.” His eyes are remorseful, looking like his words pained him as much as they did me, even if they are true. “I’m glad you’re here though. It’s good to see you guys together at the same time. Even though I live here, this place just feels more like home when both of you are around.”

His hand is still lingering on my wrist, his thumb gently running over the back of my hand. The feeling of his touch is electric, like his skin is on fire. I don’t know if it’s the margs, his deep voice, or the feeling of his hand on my wrist, but suddenly I’m not irritated with him anymore.

“Don’t sweat it. You're right though, it does feel good to be back. This place is home, even if we aren’t always here.” He nods in agreement before letting go of my wrist.

“So what else is new?” I ask, my mind still thinking about that electric touch as I touch the place his thumb was just rubbing. “Your grandparents still live upstairs from us, I know. Still driving that minty clean old truck?”

An unexpected smile and look of excitement takes over his face, the remorse in his eyes gone and replaced with a boyish sparkle.

“Actually yes, I still have mom’s old truck but it’s mostly just for plow work at this point. Still though, I keep it just how she loved it. I finally bit the bullet and got a sweet Sprinter van anddecked it out for early morning ski days. It’s pretty slick. Cozy bed for Rex and me, plenty of room for gear, little stove for making breakfast. Probably take it down to Salt Lake and Park City some time to visit Clay and Grace. If you lived out here, I’d totally see you owning one.”

“You don’t have to sell me. Sounds amazing. All of it.” Damn. What I’d give to live in this fairy tale of a place like him. I wish I could just let go like that, live completely in the moment, embrace the ski bum life and take off to go where I want when I want.

“Yeah. It sure is. You know, I missed this. It’s good to have you guys back.”

We look at each other, both exhaling, enjoying the moment of calm thinking about the magic of this place.

The town, the mountain, the village, the times shared with loved ones. As I take it all in, I realize this might be exactly what I needed to recharge myself from my life back home and the office, or as Tanner would now say, the cubicle farm. My brother, old friends, even older friends. My favorite places. My favorite flavors and comfort foods.

I realize Tanner has the same contented look on his face.

I break the silence. “Want another drink, Tanner? I’m buying.” I noticed he hasn’t had any from the last couple of rounds.

“Nah, I’m good. I gotta drive home tonight. Forecast is looking like a big snow day. Gotta wake up early and plow a couple driveways in the morning before I can meet you at the slopes. Want me to bring a coffee for you? Iced honey badger, oat milk, extra shot, right?”

My jaw hangs open as a quiet stunned look engulfs my face.

How the hell did he remember that?

The pizza last night was one thing. We’ve been ordering that since we were teens. But I don’t think I’ve had a coffee with thisguy in four or five years and somehow he knows my favorite drink from the local coffee shop in town. I guess he has a good memory? How ‘bout that. My face still scrunched in disbelief that Tanner remembers my old coffee order.

“Um yeah actually, that’s exactly it. Thank you. On another note, I think we might want to think about cashing out and heading home.” I shift my eyes over to Collin and Lizzy. Collin is sitting down now, elbow on the table, head resting on his hand. Shit he might be about to pass out.

“Yep. There’s our boy. Geez, some things never change.” He notices Collin too apparently. But it’s never been truer as we erupt in laughter.

I mean really, Tanner is right. Here we are over a decade later and we’re going to have to carry Collin home just like our twenty-first birthday all over again. I’m still an anxious mess, now with the added stress of trying to salvage my stalled career. Tanner is… well Tanner, I guess. Maybe a smidge more mature but who knows what’s really going on in that head under that hat.

Can things really stay the same like this forever with the three of us?

“You’re right about that. It’s our twenty-first birthday at the Fox all over again. Will Collin ever be able to handle more than a round of drinks?”

“Doubt it Ronni. I think he’s actually getting worse at this. Didn’t even think that was possible.”

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