Page 103 of The Lodge

Is this it?

Is this the moment Tyler resurfaces, like it or not?

The sea of people parts and—sigh of relief—I see a flash of Sebastian Green and his tacky, tacky pants.OnlySebastian Green.

For all the years they were forced to share the spotlight, at least one of them still wants to bask in its warmth.

This will buy me some time, at least. It’s the perfect diversion: if this many resort guests are here in the lobby, hopefully that means there won’t be as many… wherever Tyler is.

Julie tells me to stay put, that the gondola lift guy should be here shortly. A few minutes later, I see a man in a Black Maple Lodge uniform approaching, a maintenance badge dangling from a tool belt at his hip.

He glances down at his phone. “Alix?”

“That’d be me,” I say.

He nods, then motions for me to follow him.

We make our way through the main lobby and push through the crowd of Sebastian fans (Sebastian himself is taking a selfie with one).

We’ve just left the building, trading the cozy warmth of the gigantic fireplaces for the frigid, snowcapped wonderland, when a text from Julie dips down from the top of my screen.

Checked the security vids—saw footage of T using the tunnel system, and he def took the branch that leads to the lifts. The lift operator found you?

Oh, excellent, thanks for the update!I write back.And yes, with him right now.

Though am I really “with” him if he’s three feet ahead of me and almost entirely silent?

It’s a miserably cold walk to the gondola station.

“All right,” he announces once we’re finally there and I’m clear to use the lift. He scribbles something on a hot-pink sticky note and hands it to me. “Here’s my number for when you’re ready to come back down again.”

I thank him and slip inside. The gondola doors close behind me, muting out the lingering sense of noise and chaos down at the resort.

He gives me a thumbs-up, and then I’m off.

To:Alix Morgan ([email protected])

From:Aspen Underwood ([email protected])

Subject:RE: Open Invitation

Hi, Alix—

Just circling back to let you know I’ve been in touch with another firsthand source that sounds promising—it’s not a done deal yet, though, so if you have any relevant information to share, now’s your chance. (If not, please disregard, and don’t hesitate to reach out in the future if there’s anything you feel might be of interest to Gloss!)

Best,

Aspen

29

This trip up the mountain is nothing like the first time.

For one, it’s a lot quieter—and lonelier—without Tyler here to keep me company. Instead of a sky full of stars and a clear view of the glowing village below, it’s like I’m in a freshly shaken snow globe: the higher the gondola ascends, the less I can see down in the valley. And even though Julie said we’re below the wind threshold, it’s still unnerving every time even the slightest gust picks up.

I’ve almost figured out what I want to say to Tyler by the time I reach the top. The doors open, and a swirl of snow rushes in as I step out.

It’s otherworldly up here, entirely white and eerily silent. No one’s been up to clear the sidewalks—and if Tyler left any footprints earlier, they’ve already been filled in with more snow.

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