Page 67 of The Stand-In

“I think you’re pretty okay, too.” I kiss the top of his head just as London hurries down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Okay, we’re both packed, and I have your PlayStationandthe Nintendo packed up, as well. Snacks. I’ll pack you some snacks.”

“Trust me,” I interrupt and snag her arm as she tries to whiz past me. “They have lots of snacks, and there’s a grocery store down the street in case Caleb wantsdifferentsnacks. I’m sure you’ve already packed everything but the kitchen sink. We’re good to go.”

“Yeah, we’re good to go,” Caleb echoes and hops off his stool. “Let’s do this!”

London grins at me. “He wasn’t this excited a few hours ago.”

“We came to an understanding.”

She nods and boosts herself up onto her toes to kiss me lightly. “Uh-huh, an understanding. And what do we understand?”

“That we’re coming back for him, and he’s not being left out.” I shrug into my jacket and pick up both suitcases. “Will you grab the game bag?”

“Yeah.” Her eyes look all soft and dewy as she grabs the bag. “Have I mentioned that you’re handy to have around?”

“Nope, and it was starting to hurt my feelings.”

“I can’twaitto go skiing,” Stella announces when we’re just a few minutes from landing in Montana. She’s bouncing in her seat, watching the mountains pass us by.

London’s hand is in mine. She gets along so well with my cousins, and that’s a big relief. These people are my circle, and if the woman I love didn’t fit in, things just wouldn’t work out.

But she does. She and Stella have been comparing luggage and shoes since we got on the plane. Olivia joined in, and the three of them have decided to take a trip to New York to visit the boutique that London owns.

This plane is big, and all the cousins are spread out in groups, chatting, laughing, and being silly. Even the youngest two, Finn and Emma, came along since they’re officially adults now.

Add in the spouses, and it’s a full plane, and I know it’s going to be a damn good time.

“Have you ever been skiing, London?” Vaughn asks as we begin our descent.

“Several times,” she replies with a nod. “I’m no master at it, but I can take on the bunny hill without killing myself. Probably. You?”

“Yes.” He grins at her and wraps his arm around his wife. “The faster the run, the better. But Liv might be on the bunny hill with you.”

“I don’t want to break my arm,” she reminds him. “I have to use this arm to make your costumes, remember? Also, isn’t there a clause in your contract that you can’t participate in any life-threatening activities?”

“Probably,” he says with a shrug.

The first thing we do once we land is climb into the four vans waiting for us and then set off to get settled into the resort.

“All of these condos are privately owned,” Stella informs us, “but they’re in what they call therental pool.”

“It’s seriously beautiful up here,” Lucy says, her eyes wide as she gazes around at the snow-covered trees. “Erin, isn’t it amazing?”

But Erin isn’t speaking. She’s just watching, her pretty face stone-cold sober as she takes everything in.

“Hey, you okay, kiddo?” I ask her, concerned. Erin always has something to say.

“Yeah.” She swallows hard and then offers me a fake smile. “Guys, I’m going to bow out of skiing this afternoon. I want to walk around town and soak everything in.”

“I’ll go with you,” Lucy says, jumping at the chance. “This little town is just too cute. You don’t mind if I tag along, do you?”

“No, let’s do it,” Erin says.

We’re dropped off at the resort and then break off to find our condos. Mine and London’s is on the third floor, in the corner. I key in the code to the door, and we walk inside. London immediately takes off for the floor-to-ceiling windows that give us an incredible view of the mountains.

“Holy shit,” she murmurs as she wraps her arms around herself, looking out at a literal winter wonderland. The evergreen trees are heavy with fresh, white snow, and the mountains, including the ski resort we’re currently standing on, are all just… “Drew, this isspectacular.”

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