Page 16 of You, Me, & Après-Ski
For the rest of the morning, we corralled the kids and helped them down the slope. My presence prevented Frankie from snarling at them too much, but by the end, she was ready to pack it in.
“I have a shift at the bar tonight with Hugh, so I’d better head out,” she said a few hours later, wincing and rubbing her forehead.
“You need me to cover for you?” I asked.
“I’ll be fine. Just another monster migraine on the way. I have another day or two before it’ll hit in earnest. Thanks for the help, and let me know how it goes with Mister Handsome and Brooding.” Frankie parted with a wink.
My stomach clenched at the reminder. I’d called around to find a replacement activity, but this late in the day, the only thing available was one hot stone massage at the spa. Everything else was already booked, and I didn’t want to pull the “my boss is the owner” card. No need to ruin anyone else’s vacation for a grumpy guy who probably wouldn’t appreciate the activity anyway. Luckily, I could just drop him off, or he could give Cressida his spot. They didn’t need a guide for a massage. I congratulated myself on another day of successfully skirting Nolan’s scrutiny.
A splash of powder sprayed my boots. “Hey.” Austin said, lifting his goggles. “Want to catch a ride or two before they close?”
My heart soared, grateful for the distraction. “Definitely.”
Ten minutes later, I was speeding down the mountain, my hair unfurling behind me like a curly cape. The sun sparkled off the snow like glittering diamonds as Austin and I weaved through the glen, popping out onto the main trail. A laugh escaped me and my arms floated in the air. This was why I returned to Hale’s Peak. Nothing else gave me this same sense of confidence that I could do anything I wanted.
But maintaining that feeling once I walked back into my daily life was the real challenge. It was all too easy to let the self-doubt send me into a panic spiral. My tight grip on my schedules and responsibilities was my lifeline. Growing up, it was how I’d survived a chaotic household. If I always did the right thing and focused on taking care of everyone, then I would know I’d done everything possible to prevent the worst from happening. Because my mind was always focused on and prepared for the worst.
Even the most tightly wound people needed a rest, and hurtling down a mountain with a board strapped to my feet and the wind in my hair was the closest thing my brain had to an off button. I had a feeling I would be smashing that button a lot this season.
Frankie would have made a joke in there somewhere about smashingNolan’sbuttons.
I hadn’t always been such a bundle of anxiety, but ever since Antonella and the accident, I hadn’t felt safe, even inside my own head. Playing to my strengths and engaging in activities I liked helped, but I wanted to get better at interacting with people again and not being so nervous. Enter Hale’s Peak, the perfect solution to help me overcome my fears—and thebig, bad, grumpy CEO named Nolan Keller was at the top of the list. But I refused to let him get the best of me.
Hale’s Peak was my happy place, and I would not let him ruin it.
At three p.m., I met Nolan in the lobby. I’d changed into comfortable jeans and a simple black tee shirt, my hair twisted into a bun. My heart stuttered at the sight of him leaning against the front desk waiting for me, his eyes tracking my every move. I was lucky my cheeks were already red from the cold, otherwise they would have been positively blazing. I focused on each step with hyperawareness. Leave it to me to trip over my own feet for no reason. I knew how to walk. It didn’t matter if the most gorgeous man on the planet was watching me intently while I did it.
Nolan peeled himself off the desk with casual grace. “Val,” he said in greeting.
“Hi.”Wow, he’s tall. And surprisingly jacked, I think.His button-down shirt strained over his muscular chest, giving me more of a hint as to what hid underneath all that expensive fabric.Engaged, engaged, he’s engaged. Stop staring.
“So, what are we doing?” he asked.
Clearing my throat, I said, “A hot stone massage. It’s a resort specialty, and I thought you might like to relax after your long workday.”
He stared at me for a moment, azure eyes simmering. Heat gathered in my belly, but I refused to let him know how his attention affected me and I held his gaze. Nodding, he finally said, “After you.”
We walked in silence to the opposite wing of the ground floor. After turning a corner, the walls and floors transformed from dark wood paneling to sun-washed stone. Soft light emanated from sconces and awater feature trickled down a glass wall behind the receptionist’s desk. Eucalyptus and spearmint scented the air and low ambient music added to the tranquility.
“Hi, Jen,” I said to the receptionist. “I’ve brought Mr. Keller for his massage.”
Jen smiled, clacking a few keys on her computer as she said, “Of course.”
I waited impatiently, my nerves buzzing even in the relaxing environment. The sooner Jen checked him in, the sooner I could leave. Nolan’s sleeve brushed my arm as he put his hand in his pocket, and goose bumps erupted from the ghost of his touch.Ridiculous.Maybe I could absorb some of the spa’s calmness through osmosis. I sure as heck needed it.
“Ah, yes. I see the reservation right here. Nolan Keller, couples massage.”
Shock punched me in the gut. “No, no. Just for one,” I corrected. “Unless Cressida is coming?”
Leaning an elbow on the desk in a move that looked almosttoocasual, Nolan faced me. “I took the liberty of altering the reservation,” he said as he turned a dazzling smile to Jen. “I want to preview the treatment before bringing Cressida. She’s very particular about her massages.” Then he zeroed in on me. “I thought you’d like to accompany me. Consider it an…apology for having to cancel this morning.”
An apology? Since when did the billionaire playboy care to apologize to anyone? And with amassage? Absolutely not. Bad idea. But my mouth formed words before my legs could sprint in the opposite direction. “Okay,” I said.Frankie would be proud of whoever this freaking poltergeist is currently occupying my body.
I followed Jen on shaky legs down the stone hallway, Nolan beside me. His profile gave nothing away as he kept his eyes forward.
When we reached the last door, Jen stopped. “Feel free to remove as much clothing as you’re comfortable with, and your massage therapists will be right in.”
I didn’t want to think about Nolan in any state of undress, let alonebein the same room as him, equally disrobed. But when he pushed open the door, I followed him inside, stifling a gasp.
