Page 15 of The Mission

Conrad swallowed his whine of distress. “Why didn’t we spend the day with you coaching me on what to say and not say?”

Arlo chuckled. “Just be yourself.”

“A boring accountant? A mad axe murderer?” Conrad took a deep breath. “You don’t have to ask me to stay with you. The chalet is fine. The company isn’t, but I’m a big boy, I can cope.”

“Are you?” Arlo whispered.

“Am I what?”

“A big boy?” Arlo pressed back into him.

Conrad tried not to groan. “I wasn’t. But I think I might grow into one if you keep doing that.”

“How exciting.”

“While I still have some function in my brain—taboo topics? Things that will impress them? I’m serious. I don’t want to put my foot in it the moment I open my mouth.”

“I don’t wantyourfoot in it either.” Arlo stared at him and licked his lips.

“Oh God.”

“Can you do magic tricks?”

“What? No.”

“Are you any good at board games?”

“I have no idea.”

“Tell me one interesting thing about yourself.”

“I can tie a knot in a cherry stalk with my tongue.”

Arlo froze.

“What’s wrong?” Conrad whispered.Why did I tell him that?

“I was just wondering if there’s anywhere to buy cherries with stalks at this time of year.” He winked. “Maybe I can think of another use for that clever tongue.”

Conrad swallowed hard.

“Just when I think you can’t be more perfect, I find that you can.” Arlo tapped into his phone. “I’ve sent you the address. You can walk to us from where you’re staying. It’s not too far, just through the town and up the hill. Or get a cab.”

“How do you know where I’m staying?”

“I saw you with Trueblue Chalets at the airport. I got my brother Dieter, not Benedikt because he’s a dick—they picked the perfect name—to follow the coach to see which chalet you were taken to.”

“I’ve never had a stalker before.”

“Are you scared?”

“Petrified.”

Arlo grinned. “I’m a man on a mission.”

They got out of the gondola and grabbed their skis from the racks before the car turned to make its way back up the mountain.

“Know where to get the bus to your chalet?” Arlo asked.

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