Page 40 of Taking Chances

Thankfully, I manage to get in the house without falling. The inside is even more breathtaking than the outside. The open floor space centers around a huge fireplace where the fire quietly crackles, and Connor rushes to put more logs in.

“When is everyone else arriving?”

“Matt’s car should be here in twenty minutes or so, and Lennox won’t be arriving until tomorrow,” Rina responds.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, he had some things to deal with around the house.” Connor shrugs. A knot forms in my belly as I battle a rush of disappointment. I was hoping to hang out with him. After all, everyone else is coupled up here.

I walk up to the wall covered in windows with a breathtaking terrace beyond it. A huge hot tub adorns the terrace, overlooking the snowy mountains. It’s breathtaking. And more romantic than my single heart can take.

“I’ll take my stuff upstairs,” I say. “Which room is mine?”

“Oh, ours is first one to the left and you’re free to choose from the others since you’re the first one here.” Rina’s lips turn up. I grab my suitcase, declining Connor’s offer to help.

At the top of the staircase sits a hallway with four doors. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t check out each of the rooms. Turns out there are four bedrooms here that look pretty much the same, each with an adjoining bathroom.

I pick the one on the far right and lay on the huge, wooden framed bed. Four bedrooms. Meaning Lennox and I will have to share a bedroom. Again.

My cheeks heat up as excitement battles the embarrassment within me. The excited part of me vividly remembers the last time we shared a room, while the embarrassed part feels like I’m trapping the poor man, forcing him to spend time in a confined space with me. Which he probably isn’t interested in.

But it’s not like Iplannedit. It’s just a coincidence that we’re forced to share a room again.

16

LENNOX

Iarrive at the cabin at the crack of dawn. OK, it’s 8:30, but I’m not a morning person. I promised Connor I’d be there early so we can all head to the slopes together.

The incredible scent of coffee fills my senses as I enter the cozy looking cabin. It’s more of a rich mountain lodge than a cabin, but cozy, nonetheless.

“Good. You’re early enough,” Connor says in lieu of a greeting and I huff a laugh. “Lennox is here!”

Soon, everyone is approaching to say ‘hi’. The last in line is Anne, wearing her skintight thermal clothes. In baby pink, of course. My mouth waters at the sight as she reaches out her hand to me.

“Coffee?” she offers innocently. Not aware I was blatantly checking her out.

“Yes, please,” I croak, making her smile. The warmth from the cup seeps into my hands. Hands that would be frozen if not for my new car. So I guess it was a good thing I bought it. It would be pretty silly to have bought a car only for the wedding. Right?

“You can leave your stuff in the first room to the left,” Connor says, pointing to the top floor. When they said cabin, I imagined exactly that, but this is more like a five-star hotel with wood siding. “And grab your equipment so we can get going,” he adds.

“You mean the room on the far right?” Anne interjects, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, no, I’ll bunk with you tonight,” Rina tells Anne. “We won’t make you share a room again. Connor and Lennox can bunk together like the good old days.” Anne releases a deep breath, her relief obvious.

“Less bruises this time.” Connor claps my shoulder. It’s true, most of the times we shared a room we were pretty roughed up after a game.

“Never skied.” I point to myself. “So not sure about the less bruises part.” Connor chuckles and heads to the living room, following Rina.

“You never skied?” Anne asks, her eyes large.

“Nope. Is it hard?” I joke, making her grin.

“I can teach you.” Her emerald eyes suddenly sparkle with excitement.

“Come on. No need. You should enjoy yourself.”

“No, I want to. I owe you, anyway. For coming to the wedding with me.” Her cheeks tint, probably remembering what happened after the wedding.

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