Page 51 of Finding Love on the Slopes

Leighann blushed as she cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? Giulia, this is Enrique. He has been staying at Avalanche Crest for a few days. I’m his ski instructor. Enrique, this is Giulia, she runs this restaurant with her husband, Mateo.”

Giulia’s gaze moved between them before smiling knowingly at Enrique. “Well, it’s certainly lovely to meet you, Enrique.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am.”

“Well, what would you both like to eat?”

“The special,” Leighann smiled, and Giulia chuckled before nodding.

“Of course, coming right up.”

Enrique turned to Leighann as Giulia bustled towards the kitchen, and he raised a brow. “What’s the special?”

“It’s Giulia’s recipe,” she responded as a waiter came to serve them drinks and some water. “Just sit back and relax, Enrique. Trust me.”

“Leighann,” Mateo’s voice rang out a little too loudly in the otherwise quiet dining room. “You wound me. I haven’t seen you in forever. How are you? How’s Curtis doing? He hasn’tbeen around in a while either.” Standing once more, the older man enfolded Leighann in a loving embrace.

“I know. It’s wonderful to see you.” She kissed him softly on the cheek before returning to her seat across from Enrique. “I am doing wonderful. My research is taking off. Curtis is doing well, too,” Leighann smiled. “Out of town for business as usual.”

“And this is Enrique, is that right?” Mateo asked, already extending a hand towards him. Enrique looked at him in surprise as he shook the barrel-chested man’s massive paw. The shake was firm—very firm.

“Giulia already told me.” Mateo smiled as his wife placed their meals in front of them. “Our Leigh-Leigh’s fiancé.”

Leighann’s jaw dropped, and her eyes darted from Mateo to Giulia, who stood next to her husband with a knowing grin on her face. Leighann stammered. “I – You’re mistaken. I didn’t –”

“It’s okay. She also told me you’d try to deny it.” Then he turned to Enrique, who still didn’t know what to say in response. He sat straighter in his seat, feeling at a slight disadvantage. However, the gears in his head had begun to turn, and his mind was quickly whirling with the possibilities of Mateo’s words. He hadn’t quite made it to the point of a proposal, but the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea.

“Oh, Mateo, don’t they look so good together? Our Leighann can be a little shy sometimes,” Giulia added. “She’s always been that way growing up. But we’re like her adopted parents, and we’ll be here for you both.”

“You know, our Leigh has never brought a man here.” Mateo smiled broadly at the importance of this meeting, and Enrique’s chest swelled with pride. Looking over at Leighann, whose cheeks were stained a beautiful pink, he realized that though she may not have intended the connection to be made, it had been nonetheless, and they were officially a couple—a serious, possibly unofficially engaged couple. He was warming to this idea quickly.

Enrique flashed his charming little smile. “Is that so?”

She eyed him, even though her eyes were wide and her cheeks were on fire. She ignored Enrique’s question and turned back to the couple.

“You’re reading this all wrong,” Leighann protested, throwing her hands up for emphasis. “We’re not engaged. Tell them, Enrique.”

He tried not to laugh at her discomfort as he picked up his spoon and said nonchalantly, “She’s right. We’re not. Not yet, anyway.”

Leighann made a choking sound from her side of the table and stared at him wide-eyed.

“Here is some advice from an old married couple. The most important things in marriage are communication, compromise, respect, and understanding,” Mateo said, turning to Leighann. “How do you think Giulia and I have been together for so many years? Love is important, but without these others in place, you’ll have problems.”

“He’s right, Leighann,” Giulia added. “You both have the look of newfound love, sweetie. But as much as love brings you together, if you want a long-lasting, happy relationship, you’ll have to make sure you set up a good foundation. And remember, right now, love is a feeling, but for it to last, it must become a decision—a commitment. When the feeling of love changes or fades, the decision to love must remain.”

Leighann stuttered, “We’rejustfriends, Giulia.”

But even as she uttered those words, Leighann and Enrique knew they were anything but.

“Sure, sweetie, I hear what you’re saying, but see what’s in your heart, too,” Giulia drawled, winking at her before dragging Mateo away. “Come on, mi amore. Let’s leave the lovebirds to enjoy their dinner. We’ll be back when you need us.”

Chapter Forty-Five

“Oh man,” Leighann groaned, covering her beet-red face with her hands as they walked away. She couldn’t look Enrique in the eye for the first few seconds because she was too embarrassed. Enrique, on the other hand, chuckled heartily at the scene as he spooned minestrone soup into his mouth.

“I forgot to mention how awkward they could be sometimes. It’s like they have no filter,” she groaned, her voice slightly muffled by her hands, and Enrique laughed.

“You’re really cute when you’re embarrassed,Leigh-Leigh.”

---