Page 65 of Love Me Reckless

She claps her hands in excitement. “I might be able to get you guys an advanced copy of book three before it comes out.”

“How?”

She shrugs. “I have some connections at the publishing house. Last year, they donated a thousand books for a Get Lit project.”

“How’d you get them to do that?”

“Wrote a grant.”

I raise my cup of ice water. Here she is, downplaying her part in something brilliant. Doesn’t she see how incredible she is?

“That’s really amazing,” I say as we tap rims.

“Thank you.”

By the end of our afternoon, my toes are screaming for mercy. Just walking from the base area to the parking lot has me huffing and wincing. My long underwear feels damp with sweat, so there’s no way I don’t stink like a wet skunk.

“Next time, we’ll get you to the backside,” Kirilee says as we clomp across the bridge. The rush of the water below us drowns out theka-thunkof our boots and my wheezing breaths.

“What’s so great about the backside?” I love that she’s already planning our next lesson. Maybe by then, I’ll be able to walk without pain.

Though is another lesson even possible given that she’s getting married next month?

“Less crowded, better terrain,” she says.

“It’s harder though, yeah?” We pause at the crossing for a car to pass.

She gives me a grin. “You’re ready.”

At her car, I make sure she’s tucked her ski gear away and is safely behind the wheel before I say goodbye.

“Thanks for today. You’re quite the teacher.”

Her pretty eyes sparkle in the low afternoon light. “You’re welcome.”

Once she’s pulled out of the parking spot and heading for the exit, I limp the rest of the way to my truck.

I open the back hatch and slide my skis and poles inside, then settle on the tailgate with my shoes. Peeling off my ski boots feels so good I could cry.

Inside my truck, it takes me a few tries to get her started. I caress the dash. “Come on, sweetheart.”

Finally, the engine purrs to life. On my way out of the lot, I glance back up at the ski area. The lifts are empty and still, the slopes looking almost eerie in their barrenness compared to only an hour ago.

What Kirilee shared about her mom tickles the back of my thoughts. Kirilee obviously cares about her. It’s humbling, andanother reminder of Kirilee’s exceptional kindness. It pisses me off that the people who supposedly love her are the opposite of supportive.

Like that preschool building selling to someone else because Birchnuts turned her down. What the fuck is his problem?

I call Zach as I’m merging onto the road.

“You a skier now?” he asks.

“I didn’t die. Does that qualify me?”

He laughs. “Did you have fun? I think that’s more important than skill level.”

“Then yes.”

“Kirilee survived?”

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