Tearing my gaze away from him, I search for my equipment. My ski poles have somehow been flung around, and I retrieve them. Thankfully, nobody is close enough that they will collide with me, so I have enough time to move my stuff. As I do, I am aware of the man’s look boring into my back. I wish he would just leave and pay attention to his daughter, maybe remind her of the rules and how she almost caused a serious accident.

Picking up my skis, I start to turn toward him to scold him for his treatment of me. But as I open my mouth, I hear Maddison calling for me.

“Jade! Jade, are you okay?”

I turn to see her hurrying over to me, her braids flowing out behind her, her eyes wide with worry. She slows to a stop beside me, slightly out of breath.

“I saw you take a tumble. Are you alright?”

“I’ll live,” I say, trying not to look at Katie’s father. “No harm done.”

“That’s something. How about we get something to drink so you can calm down from that.”

I hear Katie’s father grunt at that, and I turn to glare at him. He looks back at me with that scowl that somehow made him more attractive. What the hell is wrong with me that I’m finding this abhorrent man attractive? I turn back to Maddison.

“That sounds like a plan. Can you help me carry my stuff?”

“Sure.” Giving me a curious look, Maddison takes my skis and carries one in each hand. “What’s going on?”

“I have no idea.” I nudge her into moving. “Let’s get going. I want to get inside and get warm. I think some snow went under my collar.”

“Sure thing.” Maddison glances back at Katie’s dad as we walk away, me using the ski poles to help me walk. “Damn, you certainly know how to pick up guys.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He’s pretty hot. Did you fall over to get his attention?”

I groan.

“Maddison! His daughter caused me to crash. And he’s not very nice, so why would I bother?”

“Well, maybe that can be excused with his hotness.”

“I’ve just got out of a relationship, Maddison. Why would I look at another guy, especially when he’s probably worse than Nate?”

“You don’t know until you try.” Maddison wiggles her eyebrows. “You could find out later.”

“No, thank you. If you think he’s hot, you go for him. Although he’s probably married.”

“Which would be a shame.” Maddison gestures towards the resort. “Let’s get moving. I know there are some hot chocolates with our names on in the bar.”

I am sure of it as well. I certainly need it after getting snow under my suit.

***

Finn

I enter the bedroom from the bathroom and see Katie looking at herself in the mirror. She’s only wearing jeans and a simple black sweater. Still, she’s tugging it around her slim frame to look at herself and turning sideways to inspect her body. I sigh. Not this again.

“You need to stop doing that, Katie. I’ve told you before.”

“You don’t think I’m fat, Dad?”

“Katie…”

“The other girls are school keep calling me fat.” Katie looks sad as she turns to me. “I like wearing baggy clothes, and they call me fatty.”

“You know those other girls are just being cruel because they think it’s funny. Don’t take it to heart.” I hug her and kiss her head. “We went to the doctor to have a health check, remember? You’re taller for your age, but you’re the right weight. And you’re always on the go. There’s nothing wrong with your body.”