Page 118 of Just One Kiss

They walked in the large, nearly empty space and found Grady sitting at the front desk, on the computer.

“Place is looking great,” Carly said.

He looked up and smiled. “Just about ready for our grand opening.”

“Where’s Jaden? Did you watch him like a hawk?”

“I did until Josh got here.” He raised an eyebrow. “Who’s the blonde?”

“Just someone he works with,” Quinn said, widening her eyes.

Carly shrugged. “Even if she was more than a co-worker, that would be fine because Josh and I are not a couple.”

“Yet.”

Carly ignored her. “Where are they?”

“Just through there.” He pointed down a hallway and off Carly went. As she walked away, she heard Quinn say, “I might’ve found my wedding dress today.”

She smiled at the thought.

Down the hall and around to the right, Carly knew she would find the main attraction—a large, indoor slope that worked a little bit like a treadmill, but for skiers. According to Jaden, it could be adjusted depending on skill level, and it wasn’t an arcade game—it was serious training.

She knew it was breaking his heart not to be up there, trying it out for himself—the machine hadn’t been ready until after Jaden’s diagnosis. He could hardly wait to get out there himself.

Or not.

She followed the sound of laughter around the corner and through the doors, but when the machine came into view, she found Jaden—not sitting on the sidelines, but on the slope, wearing a pair of skis and cheering as he and Josh—what? Raced? Was this a simulated race?

“What are you doing?”

The laughter cut out as abruptly as a recorded track on an old sitcom.

“Mom!”

“You know the rules!” Carly glared. They were making her look like a horrible, mean, un-fun ogre—and in front of Rebecca. But really? What were they thinking?

“It’s on the easiest setting, Mom,” Jaden said. “And I’ve got my monitor on—my heart rate hasn’t changed a bit.”

“You know the rules.” She glared at Josh. Good old, fun,unreliableJosh. “And so do you.”

He stepped off the machine and shook his head. “Carly, I’m sorry. It really isn’t strenuous at all, and he was dying to try it out.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I can’t believe I trusted you.” Then to Jaden—“Get your stuff. We’re going home.”

She stormed out, and Josh followed her, though it was a bit tricky considering he was still wearing the skis. “Carly, wait.”

She didn’t stop. “I’ll be in the car. Jaden, you better hurry up.” She rushed past Quinn and Grady and out onto the sidewalk, the warm June air stifling and humid tonight.

Or maybe that was simply her situation constricting her lungs.

Josh ran out, barefoot, as couples walked by—tourists most likely—on their way to the boardwalk, a restaurant, the beach. Normal people who didn’t have piles of baggage and a million years between them.

She was jealous of those people.

“Carly, you know I would never let him do anything that might hurt him.” Josh rushed toward her car.

She stopped before opening the door. “How would I know that? From your stellar track record?”

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