Page 75 of A World Without You
“Now, chin up. We need to get up to the mountain.”
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WE ARRIVE AT THE SKIlodge an hour and a half later. It’s planted along the Cascade Mountain range and perfectly covered in snow and strung with Christmas lights and garland with red velvet bows. As we enter the lobby of the lodge, the scent of the enormous Christmas tree featured in the center of the room fills the air. Bing Crosby is singing about a white Christmas, and families and couples are piling up to the front desk to get their ski lift tickets and check in to their chalets and rooms. It’s a picturesque getaway.
“Dinner first at the lodge, then we can do a night ski, does that work?” Colin asks.
“Only if we get to have the red velvet cake for dessert.”
He scrunches his nose. “I was hoping for the apple pie crumble.”
“You’re so basic,” I chide with a smile.
“Says the lady wanting red velvet.”
“That is not basic. That is delicious.”
“Well, you can’t anyway. It has gluten.”
My face falls. I really am not used to this weird diet restriction. “Oh. I wonder if they have anything gluten-free.”
Colin steps toward the open concierge and says, “Reservation under Colin Hamlin.”
The woman behind the desk smiles wide as her red fingernails click against her keyboard. “A suite and two lift tickets?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She smiles again, programs a key and pulls out our lift tickets, placing them in a forest green folder. She explains the basics of which we both clearly know, and then asks if we have any questions.
“Actually, yes. Do you happen to know if the restaurant has any gluten-free desserts?”
She smiles politely, but there’s something teetering in her expression telling me she hates that question. She pulls out a brochure and flips it open. “Supperat at the Lodge’s menu is right here.”
“Thank you,” Colin says, taking it and studying each word. As we walk toward the elevators, he says, “Aha! Caramel Mousse Cake is gluten-free.”
I can’t even hide my amusement.
“Will that be okay?” he asks.
“That will be perfect,” I say, leaning into his arm. Everything about this getaway is picturesque. I still have no understanding of why I get a glimpse into this life, and I have no idea what dream I’ll wake up in next. But for right now, I’m going to enjoy steak and mashed potatoes, caramel mousse cake, and an evening of skiing with the one that got away.
While we wait for the elevator, Colin’s eyes scan the room, bright and twinkling with wonder. His gaze catches on something, and his brow creases as he zeroes in on the subject. I follow his line of sight to see if I can find what grabs his attention just as he says, “Isn’t that the guy you met in Roslyn five years ago?”
My mouth goes dry as my ex-husband, Graham, enters the lodge. He’s looking very Graham, wearing a sherpa-lined flannel and maroon beanie. His beard is trimmed and his presence is consuming.
“Or maybe I’m wrong. It looks like him, though. You remember who I’m talking about, right?” he asks, but I’m too stunned to speak. There’s humor in Colin’s voice as he continues to ramble against my silence.
“You met him at a bar or something, and he dragged you around town doing all the local things. Even brought you home on Christmas Eve after some town center party, and you said his mom made the best sugar cookies you’ve ever tasted.”
“His grandma,” I correct quietly. I can hardly find my voice. My head hurts with memories, and my heart aches as I look at the man I once promised forever with as he smiles at a blonde with blue eyes draped on his arm.
“What?” Colin leans down a bit and asks.
I speak up. “It was his Grandma Mary. Lovely woman. Best cook I know,” I answer with the memories of another world feeling just as real here. “Well, besides you.”
Colin lets out a breath through his smile. “We should say hi.”
“Why?” I whisper-shout through my strained vocal cords, then clear my throat. “I mean, it was so long ago. He probably doesn’t remember—”
