Page 37 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
Her pupils flared as she held my gaze, and I had my answer. “You’re engaged, so it doesn’t matter what I want.”
We were so close, our breaths mingled. Her perfume clouded my senses, filling my head with thoughts of her, thighs wrapped around me, lips at my ear, shouting my name for everyone to hear. “It matters to me,” I said.
“What about Cressida?” she asked.
“We’re—”Damn it.The truth danced just behind my lips. I wanted her to know about my situation with Cressida but not like this. Not in the middle of a fight. She needed to know exactly what she was getting into before this went any further.I’ll tell her. Soon. Because I can’t stay away from her, and I’m done trying.“I’ll clear it with her. And nothing will happen. Not like…in my office.” Val’s mouth twisted into a slight frown before going back to neutral. I hadn’t wanted to push her or scare her off but…Is she disappointed?“You’ve shown me all around Hale’s Peak. Let me show youaround. For one night.”
The front door banged open, interrupting us, and Cressida sashayed into the kitchen with an armful of plastic bags.
“I brought dinner again. Hope you guys are feeling bar food. I asked Hugh what was best and he loaded me up with your favorites, Val.”
“Thanks. That’s really kind of you,” said Val with a wobbly smile as she stepped away from me.
Cressida waved away her thanks. “Come, sit! I want to hear about what you’ve been up to with Nolan this week.”
Pink tinged Val’s cheeks as she joined Cressida and cracked open a to-go container of nachos. I leaned against the island and picked my way through some waffle fries. As Val regaled her with nervous chatter, I didn’t miss the way Cressida’s eyes slid between the two of us. She knew exactly what she’d interrupted. Proving me right, Cressida shot a smirk in my direction before she cut into Val’s verbal deluge.
“What do you think about having a little Christmas-y girls’ night this weekend?” Cressida asked. “I’ll have Daphne and my sister Cora fly in, and we can invite Frankie. No boys allowed, Nolan, so you’ll have to ask Mr. Huxby where he can put you up for the night. What do you say?”
I narrowed a glance at Cressida, but she only had eyes for Val, that mischievous smirk still playing at her lips.
Val gaped at me, looking for direction. Cressida had something in mind, and I wanted to see how it would play out. After a moment, I gave Val a slow nod, and she said, “I…think it sounds nice?”
Cressida’s grin widened. “Excellent.”
What the hell are you up to, woman?
Chapter 18
VAL
“Youwantedtoseeme?” I asked, appearing at Nolan’s office door and opting for a professional but aloof tone because holy crap, what the heck had happened between us yesterday? It was confusing as hell, not to mention there was something weird going on in his relationship with Cressida.
When Nolan glanced up from his work, those azure eyes devoured me. I might have added an extra sassy tilt to my hip as I crossed my arms, and he tracked the movement, his gaze heating.Yep, there’s definitely something he’s not telling me.
“Nolan?” I prompted.
“Hmm?” I swore the sound felt like a growl, rumbling through the charged air between us.
“As much as I love darkening your doorway, I have things to do. What is it?”
After holding me captive for an electric moment, he said, “I have something planned for us tonight. Dinner, and a few surprises.”
“Dinner?” I blurted, latching on to the only word in that sentence that made any sense. I wasn’t sure he’d been serious about taking me out—I thought it had been a jealousy-fueled impulse.
“Yes. The meal after lunch. You’ve had it before, I think.”
“I’m familiar with the concept. But what about the reporters? Someone will see us.” A locally famous snowboarder had arrived that morning to practice before hitting Big Sky, bringing with him a gaggle of news vans. Not a good time for a not-date, where an opportunistic photographer could snap a picture of us and spin it the wrong way.
At that, Nolan’s lips pulled into a sly smile. “No one will see us. It will be private. Just you and me.”
Jesus lord.Even with all of the reasons I should say no, I said, “Okay.”
Somehow, his eyes got even darker, transforming into a storm-tossed navy blue. “Be ready in two hours.”
“But it’s still not a date.” It came out as a statement, but I wanted it to be a question. I had so many questions, and maybe tonight, I would finally get some answers.
“Of course,” he replied in a neutral tone. But the way he looked at me as I walked away from him was anythingbutneutral.
