Page 47 of Finding Love on the Slopes

“By special, you mean grand?”

He cocked his head to the side. “Well, yes, you could say that.”

“That’s where I disagree. The word ‘date’ simply means a planned activity so two people can spend quality time together. It doesn’t mean you have to go all out or be extravagant. A date could be seeing a movie together, taking a cooking or painting class, playing games together, reading a book together, or star-gazing. The list is endless, but it doesn’t have to be a grand, expensive gesture, just a thoughtful one.”

There was a confused smile on his lips. “Those seem like such normal everyday things.”

“Exactly,” she said. “All I’m saying is that a date can come in any form. It becomes special when the people involved make it special. It doesn’t have to be a luxurious dinner or a lunch on a yacht or something –”

“I did think about an overnight flight to Paris, but I thought that might make a better proposal date,” he said, cutting her off. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“This is my problem with rich people,” she sighed. “Always throwing their money and privilege around. Enrique, just because you have so much money to spend doesn’t mean you should.”

“I don’t agree. What’s the point of making money if you can’t spend it? When I spend money, people have jobs and can care for their families. If those who have it don’t spend it, then… why have it? And if you go down that rabbit trail, then we’re talking capitalism vs. socialism, and to win that argument, I would have you do research on Venezuela. It’s not working so well for them, is it?” he scoffed.

“I’m not saying it shouldn’t be spent at all, but it shouldn’t be wasted on unnecessary things. I think there are much more important things to spend money on than fancy meals that look better than they taste and leave you needing to snack when you get home.”

His eyes were round, and his jaw dropped dramatically as he argued, “You said it was good!”

She rolled her eyes at his theatrics. “I did. But it doesn’t mean I can’t cook something just as savory and feel much more comfortable and satisfied eating it at home. The thought of how much you spent on that meal makes me almost nauseous.”

“Fine,” he said. “I won a second date. We’ll try this again tomorrow.”

“If it’s going to be a repeat of tonight, then I guess you’ll have to go alone.”

He smirked. “I’m a fast learner, remember. I promise it won’t be a repeat of this.”

“Or anything like this. No flights to Paris or helicopter rides to Denver, for that matter,” she said sternly, and he nodded, smiling.

“I promise. Just give me a second chance tomorrow evening. Me and you. It will be an experience to remember.”

She looked away from him and faced the window, feeling unsure but excited at the same time. “Fine.”

Reaching across the seat, he intertwined their fingers, “You look cute when you’re mad.”

“Oh, hush!” she scolded, but a smile lifted the corners of her lips.

Chapter Forty-Two

“No way,” Leighann laughed as she stumbled back, falling onto the slope. The snowball Enrique had just lobbed at her exploded across her face as it slammed into her upper arm. Ice crystals dripped down her chin and into the neck of her new ski suit before she could wipe them away.

Initially, Enrique worried the slopes wouldn’t be open again before he had to leave, but much to his surprise, the mountain was declared safe to skiers the next morning.

Leighann agreed to resume her ski lessons since the doctor said he was cleared physically but insisted he didn’t need to reserve the mountain for himself anymore. Given all that had transpired and their conversation from the night before, he conceded and called Mr. Bailey to open the reserved slopes to everyone.

The poor man sounded terrified he was going to ask for a partial refund, so he assured him the contract was binding,and it was his own choice to give up the reservation, so the money was rightfully theirs. It was obvious they had already spent the funds, which made sense; the resort needed some serious upgrades.

Leighann, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised when he agreed so easily. She didn’t think he would give in without a fight, so she was happy when he joined the rest of the skiers on the slopes without a moment’s hesitation.

When they arrived, Enrique listened to her instructions, and she had to admit he was pretty good for such a novice skier. She noticed that since the accident he was more cautious and deliberate on the slope, instead of the usual recklessness he displayed. Whatever dark shadow pursued him the first few days was gone. He was a completely different man.

They skied for hours without a single mishap, increasing his skills with each run. And then he fell flat on his behind. His loss of balance was so unexpected that Leighann burst into a fit of giggles before she could stop herself. She expected his arrogant side to appear and for him to stomp off or throw a tantrum, but instead, he lobbed a snowball at her. All of a sudden, the lesson was forgotten, and they were in a full-on snowball war.

And Enrique was winning.

Until some kids coming down the mountain saw the fight and decided to join the fun on the losing side. The tables turned really fast when it was five to one.

His laughter echoed through the trees lining the slope and within minutes he was calling a truce, his hands on his knees,chest heaving lightly from laughing a little too hard. The dimple in his cheek made another appearance and Leighann found herself wanting to press a kiss to that spot.

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