Page 55 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
With a frustrated huff, she said, “I recognized Erica from the cover ofThe Daily Gabon the rack at the convenience store yesterday. She’d given them an exclusive interview about DJ Marko’s secret island birthday party. If she caught a whiff of anything slightly resembling a scoop here, she’d blab to them in an instant, whether it was true or not.”
As I sat back in my seat, my earlier distress over Erica’s ambush returned. My thoughts had gone to protecting Val, but her instinct had been to protectmeand even Cressida. At that realization, something hollow twisted in my gut. I didn’t deserve even an ounce of her loyalty, but I’d do everything in my power to make sure whatever happened between us, it remained firmly behind closed doors. Preserving Val’s public reputation was my responsibility.
“I’m sorry you had to lie. But thank you for doing it.” She tried to brush off my thanks, but I wouldn’t allow it. “I mean it, Val. People will take any chance to throw me to the wolves. Erica is a prime example. When I kissed you in my office, you could have sold your story and made a pretty penny. But you didn’t.” I traced a thumb across her cheek and her eyes snapped to mine.Fuck, a man could drown in those eyes.
“I would never do that.” I didn’t need to see the fierce notch in her brow to know she meant it.
“I know. But you’re right. No more fraternizing in public.”
“You’re the one always undressing me with your eyes,” she teased.
“Only because I haven’t had the chance to do it myself yet. Today was just a taste.”
With a laugh, she said, “Let’s go. Stan is waiting.” But at the heat and promise in her eyes, I knew I’d be getting my hands on her again soon.
Very soon.
Chapter 22
VAL
“Speakingofthemenin your life,” Frankie said as she wiped the bar in front of me and freshened up my coffee.
“We weren’t.”
“But now we are.”
I scoffed as Frankie called down the bar. “Hugh, can you get another case of vodka from the liquor closet? Gonna need it for that Christmas Eve rush tonight.” She returned her attention to me, eyes bright with mischief. “So how’s it going with juggling your two men?”
My gulp of coffee went down the wrong pipe and I sputtered.Austin. Oh no. I’d been so tied up in knots over Nolan that I’d completely forgotten about letting Austin down easy. It was a conversation I’d been dreading. But leave it to Frankie to give me a swift and bracing reality check.
After a few wheezing breaths, I said, “I already know what you’re going to say, and Austin’s not having a threesome with us, so sorry to burst your salacious bubble. I think he went back home for Christmas, so the next time I see him, I’ll tell him I just want to be friends.”
“Pfft,” Frankie said, pouting as she straightened her Santa hat. “You’re no fun. Have you figured out Nolan’s Christmas surprise yet?”
“I’ve been too busy planning the Christmas farmers market to even think about it. But that man is a lockbox anyway. Can’t pry anything out of him.”
After showing Nolan around town, a newfound confidence had sprouted in a long-vacant part of my heart. When it came to running a farming cooperative, I knew what I was doing. I wasalreadydoing it, albeit on a really small scale. And I was freaking goodat it. It was time to stop treading lightly and making the careful choice. As I was learning with Nolan, sometimes throwing out my lists and spreadsheets could reap some handsome rewards. While the end of my relationship with Nolan was a foregone conclusion, I actually had a shot at obtaining my own farming cooperative. And I owed it to myself to go for it.
“I’m proud of you, you know,” Frankie said, taking her pocketknife to a liquor box and stocking the shelves. “One step closer to your dreams.”
For once, the thought of my future filled me with excitement instead of the crushing weight of undone tasks. “Thanks.”
“Hey, if you want some extra cash, you could work the bar tonight with me and Hugh,” Frankie offered.
It was barely noon on Christmas Eve and the bar was packed to the gills with VIPs and athletes fresh off the slopes—and paparazzi lurking in the lobby. The regional competition was good for business, but very not good for my personal life. I took another sip of coffee, shuddering.
Frankie noticed. “And it would keep your idle hands busy instead of doing the devil’s work with your boss while there are so many interested eyeballs around to see you,” she whispered. When I didn’t respond, her jaw dropped. “Or maybe you’ve already done the dirty deed and haven’t told me?”
“As if I could keep something like that from you,” I said with a snort. “We have to be careful, and…”
“And what?”
I chewed my lip, considering. At Summit’s Edge, Nolan said he’d give me whatever I wanted, but did that mean his heart too? Or was he only interested in sex?Am I only interested in sex?
“And I’m not sure what I want from Nolan. If I even want anything.”
“Besides his dick.”
