Page 56 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
“Francesca Daiyu Kang.”
“What? It’s true.”
Ignoring my burning cheeks, I said, “I’m way too frazzled to consider taking a step like that. We’ve been keeping things private, but it’s hard to act natural in public.”
“The last time Nolan had something ‘private’ set up, you got snowed in together and he came all over you, so—”
“That’snot—”
“So whatever his Christmas surprise is, make sure you wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.”
When she winked, I wanted to throttle her.
“Hey, you two,” a voice like an easy summer breeze said over my shoulder.
Crap on a freaking cracker.
“Hey, Austin,” I said with a tight smile that I hoped didn’t make me look like a serial killer. “Thought you were away for the holiday?”
“Got back early to avoid that big incoming snowstorm,” he said, nodding in thanks as Frankie poured him a coffee, then she left us alone.Damn her.
I’d successfully dodged Austin’s attempts to go on more intimate dates, but the guy deserved the truth. It wasn’t nice to string him along, and I needed to push through my anxiety and tell him that. “Austin, there’s something I need to talk to you about…”
His face fell for a moment, then took up a knowing smile.
“I sort of have feelings for someone else, even though it’s a little complicated,” I said, “I hope we can stay friends. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t have a ton of those.”
Austin, proof of the amazing and wonderful guy he was, gave me an easy shrug. “No sweat, Val. I mean it. I know guys will say that and then get all broody about getting ‘friend zoned,’ which is a bullshit term in its entirety. Of course I’m still your friend. I hope you work through whatever it is you’re going through. I’m always here to talk about it, if you want.”
Emotions blurred through me in a confusing mess.Good freaking gracious, what a nice guy.“You don’t know how much that means to me. Thank you.” I hadn’t realized how much this was weighing on me, and it felt great to know he didn’t hold it against me.
“No need. That’s what friends are for. Gotta go check in with Tess. Catch you later.” With a wink, he headed out.
To be replaced immediately by an eavesdropping Frankie. “So that went well.”
Patting my jean jacket lapels, I asked, “Do you have a wire on me or just supersonic bat-like hearing?”
“I do still have my ‘Harriet the Spy’ kit from when I was a kid—”
“Val!”
I spun in my chair, my jaw hitting the floor. “Juanito?”
My little brother barreled across the room and crashed into me with a hug. I caught him, dumbfounded. Diego followed in his wake, a secret smile playing across his face.
“Surprise,” said Diego, wrapping an arm around me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, still catching my breath, tears welling in my eyes. When I distracted myself with work, it was easy topush off the constant ache of how much I missed them. But now, the floodgates were open.
“Mr. Keller invited us for the weekend,” said Diego.
“Yeah, we’re in the Presidential Suite!” Juanito bounced beside me. “And he said I can have as much hot chocolate and s’mores as I want.”
My heart thundered in my chest. “Cyrus or Arthur?” But then I caught sight of Frankie’s grin, and I knew.Of course.
“It was Nolan,” said Diego. My heart beat so fast, I thought it would burst out of my chest.
Frankie smirked as she handed Juanito a cup of hot chocolate. “Here you go, kiddo. On the house.”
