Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“Sounds like we’re both doing the same thing.” I lifted my glass in a toast. “To building new shit.”
Drew tapped his glass against mine and smiled. “If you get to choose, what’s the first thing you want to build?”
“A ski resort,” I replied immediately. “Which brings us back to tomorrow. Come ski with me.”
“Why? You’re with a huge group. I’ll slow you down and—”
“No, you won’t. And if we go early, it’ll just be us. We can do a few runs and be done before noon. Then I’ll meet up with my friends and you can go knit.”
He let out a put-upon sigh. “Okay. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I changed the subject before he voiced second thoughts, steering the conversation to favorite holiday movies, pumpkin spice, and eggnog.…You know, tame topics most people had strong opinions about. Elf, gross, and grosser, in case you’re curious.
Somehow, we ended up discussing breakfast cereals too.
“Cheerios suck, but I used to like Apple Jacks,” I said, handing the waiter my credit card.
“They’re basically the same thing, but one has more sugar. How do you feel about oatmeal?”
“Meh. It’s okay. I like big breakfasts. Eggs, bacon, pancakes…the works. I make a mean waffle too.”
“Me too. Although I think my pancakes are better than my waffles.”
“I’ll let you make me some and judge for myself.” I thanked the waiter when he returned my card. I signed the receipt, then stood and smiled at Drew. “Are you ready?”
We grabbed our jackets and made our way to the exit. There was a wall of people near the door, so we slipped outside to bundle up. I threw my scarf around my neck and shoved my arms into my coat sleeves.
“Fuck, it feels like it dropped another ten degrees out here,” he groused.
I buried my hands in my pockets and tipped my head back to gaze up at the stars. “A clear night always makes it colder. Where are you parked?”
Drew started. “Uh, that way.”
He pointed beyond the snowdrift at the end of the path, took two steps, and landed flat on his ass.
“Oh, shit. Are you okay?” I hurried to his side and offered him a hand.
He gave me a sheepish half smile as he brushed himself off. “I’m fine. That’s why I don’t ski often. I’m a klutz in the snow.”
“That’s ice. Could have happened to anyone.” I swiped at the front of his puffy coat, smiling at his cranky expression. “Want to hold my hand?”
“I might bring you down too.”
“I’ll be fine. Come on.”
He didn’t move. After a few moments, he extended his right hand and linked his fingers with mine. The feel of his chilled, smooth palm against mine lit me on fire. I cautioned myself to act as casually as possible. As though holding my crush’s hand was no big thing. Not easy. My arm tingled and my heart skittered. My cheeks were probably reddened from the chill, but I bet they were warm to the touch. Not that I’d check. I was playing this cool, remember?
I guided us to the end of the path, then looked up and down the quiet street. Stars dotted the crisp indigo sky. The sliver of moon cast enough light to make the banks of snow lining the road glitter in the moonlight. The farther we moved from the bar, the easier it was to imagine that we were alone in the mountains. I smiled at the fanciful thought as we traversed the sidewalk. I didn’t detect any ice in this section, but I didn’t let go of him.
“I parked in the lot next door. It was less crowded,” he commented conversationally.
“Good call. How’s your ass?”
Drew chuckled. “Fine. I don’t mind having a sore ass, but that’s not generally how I—”
He stopped in his tracks and slapped his free hand over his mouth. I snickered merrily, raking my teeth over my cold lips as I studied him. “Have we moved on to sex talk?”
He winced. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“Don’t apologize. I like sex talk. I’m pretty good at it, too. Just keep walking as you talk. I’m wearing tennis shoes, and my toes are about to fall off.”
“This way.” Drew dropped my hand and pointed at his Jeep parked adjacent to the bank building.
I opened the passenger side door and climbed in, grateful when he turned on the engine and blasted the heat. We chuckled when we both put our hands over the vents. The windows were fogged and coated with a light layer of crystalized ice. We weren’t going to be able to zip out of here immediately. And honestly, I was more than okay with that.
“There isn’t much heat coming from this vent,” I commented as I fiddled with the lever.
“It sticks sometimes.” Drew leaned across the armrest and reached for the vent.