Page 71 of Stuck on the Slopes

Sasquatch perked up at the rising sound of our voices. He jumped up from his spot in his dog bed and trotted over, leaping up. The mattress dipped beneath his weight until he nestled himself against Rachel’s back.

“I think my dog loves you more than me,” I said.

“Nonsense!” She laughed as she rolled onto her back so she could properly pet Sasquatch.

“It’s fine. I’ve already accepted the betrayal.”

“I could lie like this between the two of you forever.”

Her words hit me like a freight train straight to the chest. I wrapped an arm around her waist as I kissed her cheek. “Me too.”

What I really wanted to say were the three words I didn’t even remember speaking to anyone other than Sasquatch:I love you. But I didn’t dare—not now, even though I felt it coursing through my veins in a way that couldn’t be ignored, felt it in the way her fingers drew swirls in Sasquatch’s thick fur, and the way she rested her head on top of mine when I used her breast as a pillow, letting the soft thump of her heartbeat soothe me.

But I refrained in order to reduce my risk of sounding like a psychopath. Of the nearly four months I’d known her, we’d only started tolerating each other for three and been romantically involved for three and a half weeks. A month was too soon to declare love, especially the morning after what we could technically classify as makeup sex.

Yeah, becausethatwould go over well right now.

A part of me, some hopeful chamber of my heart I hadn’t used in ages, thought Rachel would understand and when you know, you know. But if we were successful here, then we’d have plenty of time for me to sort through a heartfelt confession. And yet, when Rachel looked at me… no one had ever looked at me like that before, with genuine love in their heart that shone through their entire being. I wasn’t sure what she saw in me, but I couldn’t find any excuses for why else she’d look at me in that way.

The words bubbled in my throat but felt stuck. Before I could debate on if I should say them, Sasquatch stirred and pushed himself from the bed, off to drink some water.

Rachel said, “We should probably follow his lead and get ready for the day, huh?”

I groaned and tightened my grip on her waist, burying my face back into her chest. “Do we really have to? It’s Christmas Eve. No one’s doing shit today.”

“Valid point.”

“I haven’t had a morning like this in… I couldn’t even tell you how long.”

“Me neither.”

“So then, let’s just stay like this. Please.”

I wasn’t sure where my desperation came from, but I made no attempt to hide it. I was no longer worried about seeming needy or clingy. Rachel ran one of her hands through my hair and nodded her agreement, and it wasn’t long before the two of us drifted back to sleep. We spent the morning napping on-and-off until around eleven-thirty when we were too hungry to stay put and Sasquatch nudged at me so he could use the bathroom.

“Do you want to spend the day together?” I asked as she dressed in her outfit from last night, hoping Rachel would agree.

“Sure. I gotta run across the hall for some fresh clothes, though.”

“Oh, and Rach?”

“Hmm?”

“If anyone asks you what you are to me, you tell them you’re my girl. Not some fucking ski bunny.”

If the sun hadn’t been streaming in, her smile would have lit up the room. “I will, but don’t think I’m still not gonna try to reclaim that term.”

“I wouldn’t expect any less from you. Meet you in the lobby?”

“Sounds good.”

I kissed her once more before she left the room. The warmth that spread through me and my racing heart did not cease once she did. The feeling lingered, settling itself into me and taking root.

Once I’d taken my morning dose and thrown on a few layers, topping it off with a down jacket, I helped Sasquatch into his vest and boots and slid open my back patio door for him. The cold air rushed in with a light flurry of snow promising a white Christmas ahead. Sasquatch trotted out and back in quickly, fast to take care of business—something I was grateful for so I wouldn’t have to let the cold air in for long.

As I grabbed my phone, my blood chilled, comparable to the weather outside as I saw the text from my mother waiting for me. From the timestamp, she’d sent it four hours ago.

Mom:Merry Christmas my little Junebug! Your aunt got sick this year, so instead of going to her house, your father and I are on our way so we can celebrate with you at the lodge! See you soon!

---