Page 29 of My Ex for Christmas
I’ve been avoiding Brooks.Again.
I’m not proud of it, but it seemed like the only way I could sort through my thoughts. Every time he texts me, I come up with a reason for why I can’t meet him. But I’m quickly running out of excuses.
And there’s only so many times I can hide behind furniture and Christmas trees before he’ll find me. At the staff party the other night, I had a close call. But after a round of Secret Santa gone awry, I ended up spilling punch down the front of my dress and was able to make my escape to hide in my suite for the rest of the night.
Now, as I sink into the heat of the in-ground hot tub on my patio, I lean back in my seat with a sigh. From out here, I have a beautiful view down the mountainside during the day. It’s all crisp white snow and tall evergreen trees. But at the moment, all I can see are the stars and the lights of Sugar Peak winking in the distance.
Today was another long day of putting out fires and making sure everything is still on track for our grand opening winter festival. At least the festival isn’t something I have to concern myselfwith much. Mia may actually be more organized than me, so if all else goes off the rails, at least the grand opening will be perfect.
I told myself I would only sit out here for half an hour before heading back inside to answer some emails. But as I close my eyes and let the water soothe me, I decide that forty-five minutes won’t hurt. Sam would be proud.
While I hum a Christmas song that’s been playing in the resort’s lobby all season, my mind goes quiet. My peace and tranquility, however, is soon cut short.
“Oh, shit.”
The new voice startles me. I jolt upright and my eyes shoot open. I barely manage to stifle my scream—until I realize that I recognize the person who slipped around the patio partition.
Brooks stands before me, the surprise on his face mirroring mine. He’s wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants, and he has a towel slung over his shoulder.
“What thehellare you doing?” My words come out harsher than intended, but in my defence, my heart feels like it’s going to beat right out of my chest.
“I came to use the hot tub,” he says, rubbing at the back of his neck. “When I went to the front desk, Sunny told me this one wouldn’t be occupied. Though she was distracted by a couple flirt-fighting in the lobby, so she must have made a mistake.”
“Clearly.” I cross my arms, arching a brow. “Is this something you do often? Use the hot tubs?”
He shrugs. “I’ve done it once or twice.”
I shake my head, exasperated. Or flustered. What can I say? Brooks looks damn good in sweatpants.
“You could get fired for using guest amenities like that, you know.”
As a holiday gift to staff, Thiago announced recently that everyone could use some of the resort’s offerings generally reserved for guests, but he meant things like the spa. These private hot tubs certainly weren’t on the list.
“I could,” Brooks agrees with a nod. He steps closer, and the moonlight illuminates his face. Damn it, that looks good, too. “So are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Are you going to fire me?”
I roll my eyes, staying silent. He knows I won’t. He also knows I won’t tell him to get lost, even though I probably should, so he strips out of his shirt and pants, leaving him in black swim trunks.
I watch him as he steps down into the water. “You came prepared.”
He winks. “This is nice,” he says. “We should do this more often.”
Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. “Why are you really here?”
“Same reason you are,” he replies with a grin. He relaxes back against the wall of the hot tub, spreading his arms and resting them along the edge.
“I highly doubt that.”
Eyes shut, he doesn’t look at me, but he chuckles. “I didn’t come here to force out of you the reason you’ve been avoiding me, if that’s what you mean. I truly didn’t realize this particular hot tub was connected to your suite.”
I want to continue putting up a fight, but I can already feel my annoyance waning. It has always been difficult to stay upset with him. Especially when my outrage is superficial at best.
“Though,” Brooks adds, opening his eyes and pinning them on me, “I wouldn’t be opposed to having that conversation.”
“Brooks…” I pause, weighing my words. “The other night was a?—”
