Page 114 of One Foggy Christmas
“I’m at Hotel Escape.”
“Oh.” My shoulders drop. I guess it was too much to ask that the universe put us staying at the same place. “I’m at Zermatt Chalet Peak.”
“Fancy! A chalet was actually my first choice, but I couldn’t find one for the holiday season, especially on such short notice.”
I laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“You’rethe reason I’m at a chalet.” It’s the first time we’ve broken out of our meeting-for-the-first-time game. I mean, it had to end sometime.
“Me?”
“You chose it last year, said the cottage style was your favorite because of the overhanging wood eaves and the rusticity mixed with breathtaking window views.”
“Wow, I sound so smart.” She smiles. “Are you sure I wasn’t an architect in my lost years?”
“To my knowledge, you’ve never been an architect, but you did love the Zermatt chalets. Since we didn’t take the trip and the room was non-refundable, they agreed to let me book something for this season.”
“I’m glad you can use the room from last year. I’m sure it’s amazing.”
Now, I feel bad that I’m staying somewhere so nice when she’s at a mid-grade hotel in the center of town.
“It’s as much your hotel room as it is mine. Why don’t we split it? It says it sleeps four.”
What in the world did I just say?
“I mean,” the backpedaling begins, “you don’t have to. Since you picked it out, and technically, half of it is yours, I just thought you might want to stay there too—as acquaintances only,” I sputter. “We just met, and you have your own trip agenda, and this is by no means a way to try and start something between us. It’s just a friendly offer between acquaintances.”
Her eyes narrow into a teasing stare. “A friendly offer between acquaintances?”
I scratch my head, realizing how dumb and desperate I sound. “Yeah, that’s what I said.”Unfortunately.
“I think we’re a little more than acquaintances, Nash.” She takes a step forward, flashing me one of her flirty smiles. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it, and I wouldn’t believe it if Ididn’t have three years of flirty smiles from our marriage to go off of. “We did just ride a train together for eight hours.”
“And I told you how many times I get my teeth cleaned in one year.”
“Intimate details.” The flirty undercurrent behind her smile holds strong.
“So what do you say? Do you want to split”—that seems like a far better word thanshare—“the chalet with me?”
“Why not? I haven’t paid for my hotel room at Escape yet. I think it was going to be a disappointment anyway. This is a way better option.”
“I’m glad I bumped into you so you can experience the room of your dreams.”
“Me too!” Her shoulders bounce up and down excitedly. “Alright. Which way? I’m assuming you have some kind of ride to the hotel.”
“Uh, that way.” I gesture to the curb.
She flips around, walking in the direction I pointed.
If the way my heart races is any indication, I’m in serious trouble here.
What a turn of events.
I allow myself one quick smile before following after her.
SADIE
