Page 41 of Ski You Later
“Look, there’s the team. This is the perfect time to mingle with them all. They’ll warm right up to you!” I start to pull him towards the group, but my momentum immediately dies as his body remains stock still.
“I’m actually alright, let’s just keep walking around.” He starts to look past me, his head looking everywhere but at the group.
I can’t help but frown at his words. This was the whole point of our deal; he wanted to get closer to our team. “Isn’t this what you wanted, to try and geteveryone to see that you are a super fun and loving person.”
He looks down at me confused, and then his face changes as if something registers in his mind. “I wanted the team to hate me a little less, not make friends. Luckily, my wish was granted the second word got out about us.” He smiles as if this answer satisfies me, and I just scrunch my eyes at him.
“You wanted Aurora to come to dinner the other night,” I counter.
His gaze narrows slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. “I don’t think it was me who wanted Aurora over the other night actually.”
Pointing his finger right in my face, he lightly taps my nose. Finally letting go of his hand, I use both of mine to bat him away. “Fine, I invited her over. But you didn’t hate having her there,” I counter quickly and menacingly point my finger in his direction.
After he pretends to contemplate, he relents. “Fine, she was more tolerable than usual.”
“You are a grump,” I say without hesitation.
“I will wear that as a badge of honour, Langley,” He teases and makes quick work of grabbing my hand.
As he starts to pull me away, I do a double-take and look back at our friends. I know the only reason heasked me to come on this date at all was to make sure people saw us out and about. I don’t want him to think I’m just wasting his time by doing this.
I start to chew on my thumbnail as Roman looks back at me. The easy smile he was wearing starts to falter as he looks over me.
“What’s wrong?” The worry in his voice does nothing but make me stress over the situation more.
“I just didn’t want to waste your time, and I feel bad.” When all he does is stare back at me in confusion, I can’t help but sigh. “You know, you only took me here because you wanted people to see us. I don’t want you to think I’m wasting your time or anything.”
His face falls in disappointment, before changing into a contemplative expression. Before I can fill the silence with more apologies, he places both hands on my shoulders.
I have no choice but to strain my neck as I look upward, and his face manages to look both annoyed and contemptuous. “Rhodes. I didn’t bring you here for any other reason than I thought you would like it and have fun. I don’t care about anyone else.”
He’s straight to the point, not even giving me a chance to argue with him as he takes my hand and starts walking.
“No overthinking, just have fun,” he says in my ear. Pulling me away from the group and towards a new path.
My jaw starts to throb, and I realize that I’ve been smiling for so long that it’s actually aching. I look away from Roman, if only to rest my facial muscles.
It has been another hour of doing completely nothing. After drinking free hot chocolate and talking about the different ski hills we’ve been to, we decided to just tour the grounds.
The booths have all had free samples of various sweets and soups, as well as the close call we had with Randy and the kids.
So far, this year’s event has been my favourite one yet. I’m about to tell Roman that before a familiar voice calls out to me.
“Rhodes! Why aren’t you answering my texts!”
The shrill voice of my best friend shatters the peaceful moment Roman and I were sharing as we both look towards her. While I take a second to focus on Aurora, I don’t miss the irritated huff that comes from the man in front of me. “I take back what I said,” he mutters under his breath.
My mouth turns upward against my wishes, and I step between him and my roommate.
“I didn’t know when you were coming! I was texting you and calling you! Here we’re all sitting over here.” Aurora confidently grabs my hand, turning her back to me and walking towards the rest of the group.
I look up at Roman with disappointment written all over his face when he thinks I’m not looking. Aurora knows our deal, and I bet she thinks she thinks she’s helping us sell our fake relationship to everyone.
I know I shouldn’t be doing this, but I pull my hand from Aurora’s before she can take another step. Roman and I are definitely not dating, but interrupting the night he planned for us feels wrong, nonetheless.
Rora’s gaze whips back to me, a general sense of confusion playing on her face. She looks between both of us quizzically as she waits for an answer.
When neither of us says anything, she conspiratorially looks around and awkwardly shuffles close to me. “Don’t you want to show the team how lovey-dovey you both are?” She whisper-shouts in my ear.
