Chapter 48
HANNAH
Jill and Anthony announce a cocktail party before the tree lighting ceremony.
Maya and I get ready together. Her parents hired a special catering service and gave their staff the night off.
Maya explains how he had a stroke over the expense for the catering.
I guess Jill told him to shut up in a few colorful words, and they beelined straight to the best food in Burlington.
Invitations are sent via email to guests and staff, and attire is dressy. I’m thankful to Maya for keeping me in the loop since Noah takes up most of my time and now my bed.
My mind tends to stray whenever I think of him, or his hands, the way he rocks into me, calling me Red in his husky tone.
Then he yells at me, ignores me in the office, and the paparazzi blinds me with their flashing cameras.
I’m still mad at him, but it doesn’t mean I still don’t want him.
I shake my head and return to reality, deciding on a floor-length, emerald dress with spaghetti straps and nude heels.
Maya straightens my hair when I remember Noah saved her from Gift Card Dude. “So, how did Noah get you out of your date?”
She parts my hair in sections, running the straightener through. “Honestly, he told him the truth. I’m too nice to say no, and I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. And might’ve given him a gift certificate to the restaurant we met at.”
“To ease the blow?” I muse.
“Yes. Now, I have a question for you.” She starts on another piece of my wavy hair, moving the straight pieces aside. “Why were you really in Noah’s cabin? And don’t say to pee because you looked hella flushed for someone who just peed, unless you dropped a shit.”
“Oh my god, Maya!”
“Well?” she laughs, trying to keep still with the hot straightener close to my face. Any closer and my eyelashes will singe off. “Did you poop?”
“Gosh, no!” I can’t be shocked by her question, but sometimes I wonder if she has a few screws loose.
“Okay, okay. So what was the reason then?”
I normally tell Maya everything, trust her with the basic stuff right down to the top secret gossip, and now… I hesitate, wondering why I can’t tell her. Why am I compelled to keep something as intimate and private as mine and Noah’s “transaction” to myself?
Her judgment is nonexistent when it comes to our friendship.
If anything, she would be relieved that I went back out there and got my socks rocked.
But Noah isn’t a potential anything, he’s just…
convenient…and understanding, and isn’t all arrogant and egotistical, as he had first come off.
And deep in my caged heart, a tiny sliver likes the idea of us becoming something more.
But as much as Noah cares and is gentle with me, I’m only a placeholder, not a prize to be won.
And maybe I’m ashamed of judging too quickly and can’t face the truth of my own actions.
It’s just sex.
So, why does it feel like more?
She finishes my hair, running her fingers through the soft strands. “I know we tell each other everything, and it’s okay if you want to keep it to yourself. Just know I’m always here for you.” She squeezes my shoulders.
I reach to grab her hand. “Thanks, Maya.”
“And if you want to tell me now how I totally think Noah is banging your brains out, that’s good, too.” She finishes the last section and unplugs the cord.
I sit there, jaw hanging open, stuttering like a fool.
“Oh no, don’t worry. I support your decision to keep it to yourself.” She brings out her makeup bag and starts to riffle through its contents.
“Maya…” I’m so dumb to think she wouldn’t figure it out. “Listen, I wanted to tell you.. I just wasn’t sure…”
She winks at me, popping the cap off a face primer and applying it to my face. “Hannah, I’m messing with you. Yeah, I figured something was going on between you two, but when you’re ready to tell me, I’ll be here to listen.”
“I know we tell each other everything, and for some reason… I wanted to keep this a secret…to convince myself it’s not just some game that passes the time.” I begin to pick at the little balls of cotton on my sweatpants.
She fans my primer down and starts with some light foundation. “Noah’s time?”
I swallow a hard lump in my throat. “Is that wrong?”
Dabbing my face with a makeup sponge, Maya bites her lip, her telltale sign when she’s thinking hard. She moves on to setting my under eyelids, then eye shadow, not saying a word.
When we get to the eyeliner, I stop her. “Maya.”
She steps back, eyeliner in hand. “You’re my best friend, and I want what’s best for you…
Noah is…might not be the best? I don’t know.
By all means, knock your socks off, but I worry.
Especially since what happened with Liam, which you still refuse to tell me how it ended. So, I don’t want you getting hurt.”
Two secrets I’ve kept from Maya. One from shame, one from…
I don’t even know anymore. “He’ll be gone once the event is over.
Nothing more can come of this anyway.” It’s definitely one-sided.
Noah will never feel the same, even if I entertain the idea…
But that stupid candle flickers to life once more.
If I don’t snuff it out soon, it’s all over.
Maya finishes the look with setting spray and hands me a mirror, and I find a happier version of myself staring back at me. Lighter, even. Is it due to being back at Snowy Peak, yes, but if you asked me on a deeper level, I’d say Noah’s presence has everything to do with it.
Maya completes her look with a rouge lip stain, then we both dress and throw on our sleek, black dress coats. I can’t wait to freeze my ass off in this.
The dinner portion is first, followed by the tree-lighting ceremony and dessert. Maya says her parents refused to give away any of the details and wanted us to enjoy the night, not have to worry about anything.
Fine by me; however, Maya isn’t happy being out of the loop. She likes to be in on the plans, always helping, and it’s hard for her to sit back and let others take control.
It’s actually quite comical to watch her point out all the details of her parents’ plan.
We leave the cabins, my camera bag on my shoulder, walking on a newly shoveled path, where lights have been added to guide our way down to the main building.
A light snowfall kisses my cheeks; the taste of newly fallen snow always tastes heavenly on the tongue.
I stick it out, and Maya catches me, joining in.
We catch sight of other guests starting to gather along the path, dressed in elegant clothing, even the kids wear cute dressy coats and tights.
At the top of the stairs, a balloon arch of white and silver greets us at the entrance, and standing under the arch is the rest of the Olympic team.
I scan the group, not finding Noah among them.
My heart hammers as I reach the top of the steps, greeting the boys and the twins.
Ella and Elise are in stunning matching long-sleeved red dresses, glitter teasing the waist and gems fanning down into the silhouette.
Their hair is styled somewhat similarly, with big, loose curls in a half-updo; they even added tinsel.
With ruby-red lips, they both smile at Maya and me before heading inside, arm in arm.
The men are dressed in suits of varying shades.
Mark sports a velvet green, fiddling with the cuff links.
Taylor chose a deep maroon, while Cody has a sleek man bun, in an all-white suit.
All of them look ready to walk the runway.
Maya smiles playfully, snaking her arms through Mark and Cody’s. “Let’s go, boys. Taylor, sweetheart? Watch the rear.”
Taylor shakes his head and offers me his arm. “Thanks, but you don’t have to.”
“Nonsense. Every woman deserves to be escorted.”
I blush, not used to chivalry. Taking his arm, he escorts me inside the main foyer, where more silver and white are splashed about the room.
The reception desk is draped with a crisp white cloth, silver snowflakes dangling on the edge.
White roses in silver vases are displayed around the room.
The tree’s once-colorful lights are changed to white, and silver garlands now weave through the fake branches, complementing the red ball ornaments that hang at the ends.
A red carpet is rolled out, directing the flow of guests to designated spots to gather.
Chatter fills the air as guests pile in, dressed in beautiful clothing.
Soft, instrumental music plays as we make our way over to the coat room, where a staff member takes our coats and gives us a claim check.
Taylor notices my dress and whistles. “Noah is gonna drool when he sees you in that.”
My face flames a crimson red. Taylor either knows the truth or suspects. Either way, I’m not willing to correct him. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” he seems offended.
“'Cause he’s not here?”
“Yet.”
He offers to get me a drink, disappearing into the crowd. I linger in the room, catching sight of Maya flirting with Cody.
Maya’s parents are by the entrance to the dining hall, Jill’s black satin dress complements her beautiful dark hair, a mirror image to Maya’s, while Anthony matches in a sleek dress coat and pants.
Taylor hands me a flute of champagne, clinking his glass to mine. “Cheers, Hannah. For helping us get our Noah back.”
Our Noah.
Little does Taylor know that he was never mine.
And Noah’s twisties debacle is ongoing.
I take a little sip, not a fan of alcohol, but trying to be polite for his kind gesture. Taylor wanders away after a comforting pat on the shoulder. Maya is nowhere in sight, while the twins are talking amongst themselves, and I stay in a corner, observing the crowd mingling with one another.
Until my eyes find a familiar back and light blond hair. He walks with confidence among the crowd, dressed in a black tux.
It’s when he turns around that I drop my champagne flute and lose my ability to speak.