Page 61 of A Class of Her Own

Ruby wandered off, attention caught by the announcement that cake-cutting was about to begin. Aryn stood, and Wesley followed. I watched as they gathered around. Being two of the taller people in the room, they hung back, able to see over others. They stood close, not like strangers but like friends. Hailey and Ford wandered in, his arm around her waist, a smile on her face, and I knew in that moment that there would probably be another Thornback wedding in the near future. Ruby stepped up next to Hailey, and they gave each other’s hand a squeeze. For a split second I felt slightly out of the loop. I didn’t have someone, and I didn’t believe in the fairy tale. But Ruby turned to me, waving me over, and as I took my place next to her, she took my hand and gave me the same squeeze she’d given Hailey. In that moment I knew that no matter what happened, I’d never truly be alone.

It was extremely late when I dragged my exhausted body into the house that night—or maybe it was morning already? I flipped on lights and made my way to the bedroom, tugging at the zipper on the pink dress as I went. I’d been smart enough to have Ruby unzip me halfway before leaving the venue, and I was grateful I did as it slid easily off my body to the floor. I reflected on the events of the evening, smiling and feeling content as I hung the dress and placed my shoes perfectly in line with the others in my closet. I sluggishly got ready for bed and into soft pajamas that felt like a hug on my aching body. When I reached into my purse to get my phone out for charging, I noticed two missed calls and a voice message. Not many people actually left messages these days, and, when I saw that the missed calls were from Brooks, I couldn’t wait until morning to listen.

“Hey, I’m making a broad assumption that since you like to exercise and you participate in Turkey trots that you also ski. If so, I have two ski passes, and I’m free tomorrow. Let me know if you’re interested.” His voice was hopeful and friendly with a thread of doubt like he wasn’t sure that phone call had been a good idea.

This was a massive development, and my initial reaction was to back away. Men and I did not have a stellar history. But his face came to mind, followed by thoughts of the things I’d observed about him. Brooks was kind and dependable. I thought of Lizzie and Jackson exchanging vows and Hailey and Ford sneaking off to kiss and Ruby holding my hand while the cake was cut. Suddenly, remarkably, for the first time in a long time, I was willing to crack open the door and consider letting a new person in . . . letting a man in.

I didn’t bother to call, because it was so late, but I shot off a text.

Me:Yes to skiing tomorrow. But pick me up at nine. I’m sleeping in

I was asleep the second I hit the pillow.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The snow was powdery perfection as the sun glinted off it and warmed my face. I took a deep breath and observed the skiers who were working their way down the mountainside. Skiing wasn’t cheap, and I typically saved up enough to ski a few times a year, so I was very grateful for Brooks’s generosity in bringing me today. After the hullabaloo of Lizzie’s wedding day, I was craving the sound of skis hitting snow and no conversation at all.

My attention was pulled away from the view as Brooks skied up next to me. He slid to a stop, snow covering my own skis as he did, and wiped some powder off his goggles.

“You ready to get on the lift and go again?” he asked. I nodded, and we got in line. “The powder is perfect today,” he said as we shuffled along.

“It really is.”

I silently patted myself on the back for that spot of small talk. In fact, I’d been with Brooks all morning and hadn’t broken out into a total sweat. I’d been quiet on the drive up the canyon, and if he found it odd that I’d encouraged him to do the majority of the talking, he hadn’t let on. It wasn’t that I was uncomfortable; it was more that I was unsure what he wanted or what this meant. I’d paid attention my whole life and noticed an unfortunate trend among women, where they created stories in their minds and put more meaning into things than men intended. A guy might invite you out, but it didn’t mean he wanted to date you. He might even buy your dinner, but he simply thought he was being friendly. Meanwhile the woman is thinking they’re exclusive and giving the stink eye to other girls he talks to.

I wasn’t about to start giving stink eye unless a man specifically told me where our relationship stood. Well, okay, I wasn’t actually known to humbly wait for someone to give me directions, and I’d definitely given stink eye to Shayla at the last HOA meeting, but that’s because her flirting had been syrupy and clearly one-sided. It wasn’t because I was trying to mark territory. I was defending a friend. Yeah, we were friends. I guess.

Anyhow, I had asked more questions about his family during the long drive and confirmed that his parents were kind but aloof. They hadn’t batted an eye when he’d moved across the country but had applauded him for striking out on his own to create his own life. He’d always wanted to be a lawyer but also found it really tedious. He hated milk chocolate, only watched shows once all the seasons were wrapped up and he didn’t have to wait for new episodes to come out, and preferred to fly under the radar rather than be front and center. He was a natural optimist and figured things would always work out.

Probably my favorite thing I learned about him, though, was that he was an impatient driver. It was another thing we had in common, and I’d fought down smiles as he’d passed people and grumbled about their driving or spoken out loud to other drivers about their choices. There was a flaw—a chink in his armor—and I liked him all the more for it.

We got into the chairlift, and I relaxed back against the seat, taking in the views and enjoying the fresh, cool air filling my lungs.

“I love the mountains,” Brooks said.

“This is one of the only places I don’t feel . . .” I paused, trying to come up with the right word for it.

“Trapped by the expectations of both yourself and others?” he suggested.

“Yep. That’s about it.”

“Well, it won’t hurt my feelings if you want to do a few solo runs . . . with one request.” He tugged at his gloves to pull them all the way on again. “If at some point you see two legs sticking out of a huge pile of snow, please check to see if I need any help.”

“It’s a deal,” I chuckled.

We reached the top, and we got off the lift and skied over to the beginning of the run, where he threw me a salute with a grin as he zipped away. It took me a second to realize that I was watching him with a goofy look on my face. I immediately flattened my mouth, but I kept watching as he expertly made the run. He’d said he was an outdoorsman, and from what I was seeing, he hadn’t fibbed. He looked completely at peace with the snow and the mountain, and I found it ridiculously attractive.

Another thing I was fangirling over? Him suggesting I may want to do a few solo runs. Other people felt hurt by that, but he had suggested it and then happily gone on his merry way, leaving me to it. Who was this unicorn of a human?

When he was out of sight around a bend, I pushed my pole tips into the snow and pushed off to follow the same path he’d taken, and before long I was smoothly coasting along, feeling the wind against my face and enjoying the push and pull as I shifted my stance to move in a side-to-side motion. The snow was fresh and light with no icy spots having formed yet. These types of days were rare, and as my mood lifted, I began wondering if we’d hang out again after this. I’d be up for it.

When I got down to the lift line, I could see Brooks’s bright red hat and lean form. He wasn’t in line but waved when he saw me coming. I waved back, and he met me as I got in line.

“You looked good coming down that hill,” he stated in an easy compliment.

“You, too,” I replied almost bashfully.

“Do you want to share a ride back up?”