Page 6 of Stuck With Mr. Frosty

Rosie turns down the music a little. “What could you possibly have to work on right now?”

“Reviewing the maps of the slopes.” He doesn’t so much as glance my way while he speaks.

I set the can of dry shampoo down and sit on the bed beside Honey. “You should lighten up and have a little fun. It’s only the first night. There will be plenty of time to study the maps in the morning.”

“I have other things to do in the morning.”

“Like what?”

He finally looks at me. “Work.”

“Got it. Workaholic.” I smile and cross one leg over the other. “Well, if you change your mind and want to have a bit of fun, you know where to find me.”

The color drains from his face, his mouth setting into a thin line. “Not likely.”

He spins and storms out of the room, whistling for Honey. She yawns and rolls over, stretching out on the bed and not bothering to follow him. I doubt that’s going to put him in a better mood, but that’s not my problem.

Even if he doesn’t want to have some fun, that’s his issue.

Rosie shuts the door behind him. “I don’t think he’s ever had a day of fun in his life.”

I flop back and look at the wooden slats on the ceiling. “So, what are you doing in Aspen?”

“Seemed like a good break. I’m twenty-two, and I have no clue what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.” She lets out a small laugh. “Dodge college in favor of making massive tips in the hospitality industry, though I’ve been coming here for a few winters to teach skiing.”

“Where do you work otherwise?”

“Sailing yachts in the Med. Spend a lot of time going out on overnight trips with some very rich people. They’re jerks, but when I make more in two days than I do in a month, it’s hard to complain. What about you?”

“I’m twenty-five. Just graduated college. I’m going to be a kindergarten teacher next fall, but until then I’m just trying to figure out what to do with myself.”

The words are hard, and a lump sits high in the back of my throat. I used to know what to do with myself.

“You’re just graduating?”

“This past May, actually, but I know it’s late. Mom first got sick right after high school, so I took a year off. She got better, so I went to school, and she was back teaching skiing. Had a year left of college when she got sick again, so it put things on the back burner.”

“I’m sure she was happy to have you there with her.”

The corner of my mouth twitches as I sit up, catching a glimpse of the picture. “Sometimes. Before she died, I was back in school because she wanted me to go back.”

There’s a knock at the door, thankfully cutting off the conversation about my mom.

Ryder pokes his head in. “Hey, there’s a party down at the staff mess tonight. Either of you planning on going?”

Rosie nods and hauls a knit dress out of her closet. “I’ve been waiting for the staff welcome party all year.”

Ryder snorts and shakes his head, his gaze wandering over to me. “Good luck keeping up with this one.”

Rosie mimics him, going to the door and giving it a light nudge to push him out of the room. She shuts it behind him before turning to me, mischief in her eyes.

I swallow hard. “We’re going to a party?”

“Yes. Did you bring anything to wear?”

“Ripped jeans and a black corset top good enough?”

Rosie fans herself, slumping against the wall. “You’re going to knock ’em dead. I would kill to have boobs like yours, and in a corset top, man. The men are going to be following you around like lost puppies.”

---