Page 47 of Regaining Integrity

“I’m going to sound like an asshole, but no. No one ever seemed worth the time and effort to plan something out.”

“Or bathe?” she taunts.

“Ha, ha.” There’s zero humor in my laugh.

“Seriously, I haven’t seen you this clean since you had to dress up for football in high school.” She pokes me again. “What changed?” Her tone turns serious in an instant.

“You did.” My throat closes at my honesty.

“What?” She gasps.

“You changed it for me.” The lodge comes into view, causing my stomach to bottom out. The parking lot is nearly packed.

Shit.

“You’re not trying to inflate my ego, are you? Because I have to tell you, I like it.” She recovers.

“Yeah?” I mumble.

My tone is different, and she doesn’t miss it. “What’s wrong?”

Double shit.

I didn’t mean to let my disappointment leak into our conversation. “Nothing. The place is a little busier than I thought it would be.”

“We could go somewhere—”

“No, it’ll be fine.” I cut her off. “I made sure to make a reservation.”

“Cheer up, then, and let’s have a nice evening.” Her sunny disposition is hard to resist.

“You’re right.” Pulling into a free parking space, I waste no time getting around the truck to help her out.

A gasp escapes her when the door opens, and the bitter evening fall breeze flies around us. I should have told her to wear pants, but looking at her pretty legs overruled the decision to be smart. I take off the bandanna and step back, allowing her eyes to adjust and take in where we are.

“You …” She spins around, looking out at the darkened landscape surrounding us. “This is amazing.” She returns to me with a wide, glowing smile across her radiant face.

“I thought it was fitting.” Pulling her to my side, I lead her inside, and in no time, we’re being guided to a small booth in front of the windows, overlooking the meadow between the lodge and the timberline.

“This is so nice,” she breathes.

“Have you eaten here before?” I push her in before taking my own seat.

“Mom and Grandma brought me here to celebrate my high school graduation with Lorelei, but that was it. If we come up, it’s usually to have a picnic.”

“I’m glad to make this a special treat for you.” Our server comes over to introduce himself and take our drink order.

“What about you? Do you come up here often?” She grabs her hair to pull it over one shoulder, exposing the fine flesh of her neck.

“I used to when I was younger. We came up a lot to four-wheel in the summers, hunt in the fall, and snow machine in the winters.”

“That sounds fun. I’ve never been snow machining.”

I can’t help the shocked expression crossing my face. “How could you live here our entire life and never been sledding before?”

“Money is required to be able to go. Living with my single mom and equally single Grandma didn’t allow for much spare money. And Lorelei’s family never allowed her to invite me when they went on their ski trips and whatnot.”

And now I feel like shit.

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