Page 18 of Unforgettable

“It’s too far-fetched to believe, but that’s how life is, right?”

Holly waves her hand, trying to speed me along. “Spit it out. Olivia’s going to kill me if I don’t get back to cover the shop for her in three minutes.”

“One-night stand guy is here.”

Her head tilts as she stares at me, her mouth dropping open. She quickly lights up and grabs my hand. “He came to see you? No wonder you’ve been so quiet, you little freaky-deak.”

“No, he’shere.” I point to the ground. She looks down and then back up, confused. “He’sthe new owner of the lodge.”

Her eyes get even bigger. “Jamison Ledgeris your guy?” she hisses. “Holy hell. I had to miss the staff meeting, but I made it to my one-on-one with him, and he is fuh-reakingstunning. I’m going to need more details about that night now that I have a visual.” She laughs and shakes my hand when I don’t laugh with her. “What? This is incredible. It’s asign!”

I made a face. “A sign that I’m going to be punished for my night of“—I whisper my next words—“incredible sex? Put me out of my misery now.” I moan and Holly puts her arm around my shoulder, walking me toward the door.

“Walk me back,” she says. “Walk and talk. I can’t believe you have been withholding this information.”

I turn back to make sure everything seems okay and check that the volume on my phone is up before I walk out with Holly, the burst of cold air on my face feeling better than usual. The gift shop is between the lodge and the ski resort with an outside entrance, so you don’t have to be staying at the resort to stop by and shop.

“Since you’re not talking nearly as fast as I wish you would, I’ll just throw in here that your hair looks amazing, I love this outfit on you, and I’d like you to take this as an opportunity. You can finish out your three months here with a bang,literally.” She laughs at herself and this time, I join in but shake my head.

“It’s not like that. I’m so mad at him. He claims he had no idea it was me the night we—“

“And why would it matter if he did?” she asks.

I frown. “Well, that would be weird and why would he lie about something like that?”

“Exactly, why would he lie about it? You said yourself, sometimes life is more far-fetched than movies. Or was that your point? I was trying to follow, but you were all over the place. Ow!” she says when I smack her arm.

We walk down the snowy path toward the gift shop. “The window display looks incredible.”

“Thanks, I just finished it before I came to see you. And you’re not changing the subject on me that fast, no matter how nice the compliment.”

“We only had a few minutes anyway,” I grumble.

“Drinks at The Dancing Emu around 8:30? Or should we venture over to The Gnarly Vine tonight?” she asks.

“I don’t know, I have some work I need to—”

She shoots me a look and I nod sheepishly.

“Okay, yes. Let’s do the Emu. Save the Vine for sometime next week.”

“Look at you, attempting to not be a workaholic. I’ll drop it in the group thread. No talking yourself out of it,” she adds.

“Scarlett, hey!”

I turn and see Danny walking toward us. I grin and wave, and his smile grows. I’m glad he’s stayed my friend. When he reaches up, he hugs me and then Holly.

“How’ve you been? I’ve tried calling and texting…you okay with all this?” he asks, when we’re facing each other again.

“Oh, you know. I don’t love any of it, but I’ll be okay.”

He nods and clears his throat. “Well, let me know how I can help. I’ve wanted to be there for you since Granddad…and know you’re not big on sharing feelings,” he laughs awkwardly, “but I miss him too and…well, I’m here.”

“Thanks, Danny. I know you are. That means a lot. And I know you miss him too. He loved you so much.”

His phone buzzes and he lifts it. “Better run, I’m on the clock. But call me.” He points at me and hugs me again before hurrying off.

“He has got it so bad for you,” Holly says.

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