Page 57 of One Last Run

Danica grimaced. “It’s definitely over with Eddie.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes. “Hebroke up withher. You think she should just be begging to get back with him?”

“I’m just saying that wedding planning is stressful, and maybe Eddie made a mistake,” Kiera said. “Maybe he’s waiting until you’re back to try to work things out.”

Danica glanced from Kiera to Maggie, a strange feeling in her gut. Why was Kiera even saying this?

“And who says she would even want to go back to that asshole?” Maggie asked, crossing her arms. “Hedoesn’t deserve her, andshedeserves to have good sex and get her groove back.”

Danica held up her hands to pause them. This was turning into her worst-case scenario, where now she had to talk about Eddie, and her breakup, when she wanted to enjoy the trip. and take away too much from the trip with her own problems. It was exactly what she’d wanted to avoid all along. Her cheeks were red and she couldn’t remember if she’d put on blush yet. “Okay. I see what you’re both saying. Thank you both for being so concerned for me, and I love you. I’ll figure it out. You don’t have to worry about me.” She took a deep, steadying breath, staring at herself in the mirror.

Kiera sighed, like she wanted to say more, but Maggie held up her sprained wrist, the bandage wonky and uneven. “Okay, now for the real reason I was trying to find you. I can’t rewrap this. Can you be less of a hussy and more of a doctor for a moment?”

CHAPTER 18

PETE

The pancakeson Pete’s plate looked like a perfectly good pillow, and she considered resting her head right on their fluffy, buttery, syrupy top.

Maggie was grinning into her coffee, Kiera was seemingly entranced by the diner’s tabletop, and Izzy was happily sorting through Pete’s vegan bacon, trading her crispy pieces for the floppy pieces that Pete hated.

Pete yawned and Danica glanced her way, trying to hide a smile. They’d gotten very, very little sleep the night before, and she was sure that it was obvious why, given Pete’s inability to keep her hands to herself this morning. Even now, her arm was slung over the back of the booth behind Danica, her fingers idly playing with a few strands of Danica’s hair that peeked out from her beanie.

It was their last full day of the trip, and everyone seemed rather exhausted and resistant to heading out to ski this morning.

“Can I just say that I’ve really missed you guys? And that we shouldn’t wait fifteen years to all hang out again?” Maggie said, smearing apple butter on her English muffin.

“Agreed,” Danica said with a smile. “Maybe we could make this a yearly thing. Kiera, do you think Aunt Jade would let us have a week at the condo next year, too?”

Kiera shrugged, glancing at her phone instead of looking at anyone. “Maybe.”

Danica angled her head, watching Kiera, and Pete could see the crinkle between her eyebrows, her studying gaze. Danica had always been sensitive to others’ feelings, always the first to notice if someone seemed off. It was one thing she had always loved about Danica — how concerned she was for everyone else’s happiness. Pete also struggled with Danica prioritizing others' happiness over her own.

Maggie slurped her coffee, precariously balanced in one hand while she twisted her shoulder to adjusted her other arm in the sling. “Even if it’s not in the mountains, we should definitely get together more often. Let's put this on the calendar every year.”

Izzy shrugged. “As long as you give me enough time to save money for a ticket, I’m in,” she said in between a bite of bacon. Izzy’s casual tone tugged at something in Pete’s chest. Izzy was the only reason Pete had come in the first place. She was concerned that a fifteen-year absence, due to her travels, had irreparably damaged her friendships. Izzy and Maggie had remained good friends, and Izzy had spent a bit of time visiting Maggie in the fall, but when it had come time to buy her tickets, she’d told Pete she might not attend because she couldn’t afford it. Pete had instantly bought Izzy a plane ticket, much to Izzy’s annoyance. What good was having money if you didn’t spend it on the people you loved? Then, upon hearing Danica would definitely be coming, she bought her own ticket.

Although she’d tucked away most of her money in the foundation and investments, she was comfortable. Financially comfortable, at least, for maybe the first time in her life. Her childhood and early adult years had been spent in constant upheaval and change, so she was used to it. Now, she craved that comfort and stability in all aspects of her life. She loved traveling, of course, but it just didn't feel as magical when she didn't have somewhere she loved to come home to.

She glanced sideways at Danica, watching the way Danica’s chestnut hair curled around her own finger, feeling the softness of Danica’s sweater under her palm, the warmth of their legs touching. Her daydreams of seeing Danica again paled in comparison to the reality of reconnecting with her. Every moment spent adventuring, talking, joking, undressing… She wanted more.Neededmore. An emotional lump lodged in her throat as she realized anywhere could be home, as long as Danica was there.

It was embarrassing to admit, even to herself, how she wanted that to be true so, so badly.

Pete tapped the toe of her Doc Martens on the floor, suddenly feeling anxious about where things stood. The sex had been phenomenal, but it always had been. And somehow the intimacy was on a whole new level now. It was the knowing of a person, past tense, and the finding out of a person, present tense. Danica was the same, and yet a completely different person now. Loving Danica again was like rediscovering a beloved book — every chapter held newfound significance, resonating with her heart in ways she hadn't perceived before.

She choked on her coffee as the thought flitted through her mind. Whoa, where had that intrusive love thought come from? Love? Did sheloveDanica?

“You okay?” Danica asked, gently touching Pete’s knee as she coughed.

Pete nodded. “Sorry, just... wrong pipe.”

As Pete regained her composure, sipping a bit of coffee, the group finished up with their meal. Kiera was being weird and mopey, but Maggie tossed down her napkin with a comfortable sigh. Maggie glanced toward Izzy. “Eager to return to the mountain?”

Izzy leaned back in the booth, fidgeting with the zipper of her fleece jacket. “I was kind of thinking we could all try something else.”

Danica clutchedthe inflated snow tube to her chest as they stood on the top of Firecracker Hill, watching families sled down with shouts and laughter. Izzy had found a nearby shop that rented sledding tubes, and the group had enthusiastically agreed. Well, all except Danica, who looked like she might throw up in a nearby plant, should one be available.

“What could go wrong?” Maggie remarked, dragging her tube by one handle behind her. “At least falling will be easier than on a snowboard.”

---