Chapter 8
VAL
It is one million degrees in here. As I waited for Nolan in the lobby of the main lodge, I pried off my scarf and jacket.
Pit stains were the last thing I needed.
My nerves were already twined so tightly, I’d even skipped my morning coffee.
Caffeine would only make it worse, and launching into an ill-timed panic attack was not on my agenda today.
If looks could kill, Nolan would have murdered Austin last night a thousand times over in an infinite number of horrible ways. I’d never seen anyone look so…untethered. Maybe he and Austin had a bad history or something.
Ripping the velcro on my snowboarding pants pocket on and off, I focused on the day ahead.
Some time on the slopes would calm me down.
I had texted Nolan last night about our plans, and he replied with a terse “understood.” I didn’t dwell on how badly my hands had shaken before sending it, or the whirlpool of butterflies that roiled in my stomach while I had awaited his reply.
At nine a.m. sharp, Nolan strode into the lobby wearing a—suit?
“You know we’re going snowboarding today, right?” I asked, suddenly extremely interested in a painting on the wall as I avoided noticing the way his jacket sleeves stretched over his biceps.
Nolan’s weird mood from the previous evening had disappeared, but his tone was brisk. “I have work calls this morning. We can meet up this afternoon.” He looked straight at me, his blue eyes piercing, unwavering. “I’m sure you can find something for us to do.”
I opened my mouth. Shut it. “Ah, sure,” I said. Exceptional conversationalist, as always, Val. “You could have texted, since you insisted on giving me your phone number,” I added, for some insane reason.
He peered down at me, a spark of humor flashing in his eyes. “I’m glad you made use of it.”
The sudden urge to kick him in the shins took me by surprise. He had a way of making me want to do anything to wipe that self-satisfied smirk off his face.
Without another word, Nolan departed, leaving me staring after his broad shoulders and his tight…
never mind. I shook myself back to reality, grateful for a few hours without Nolan’s befuddling presence.
I didn’t have any lessons today since I was supposed to be with him, so I could hit the slopes and actually enjoy myself.
Heading outside, I spotted Frankie at one of the ski lifts, a gaggle of six year olds surrounding her in a chattering swarm.
“Want a hand?” I asked, tossing my board down in a puff of powder.
“God yes,” Frankie said as she snapped her boots into her hot pink skis. “Wait, what about Nolan?”
I shrugged. “He blew me off for work and ruined my artfully crafted itinerary, so I have no idea what I’m going to do with him later.”
“I can think of a few things I’d like to do with him later,” she said with a nudge.
I bit back a laugh. “Not in front of the kids.”
“I have these little demon spawn for the next few hours, but after that, you should snag a ride or two with Austin.” Frankie’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “How’s that going, by the way? I’ve noticed more than a few women staring daggers at you two.”
“Still? I thought the rumor mill would have churned past that by now.” But I shuddered to think at what they’d move on to—hopefully my tour guide assignment with Nolan remained securely out of the gossip circle.
“Ignore them,” Frankie said as we lined up by the bunny slope’s conveyor belt lift. “Those chatty Cathys are all bark and no bite, and if they try to bite, I’ll karate chop them in the throats.”
I chuckled. “Thanks. They won’t know what hit ’em.”
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 smashing Nolan’s buttons.
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 the big, 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 a water 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 almost too casual, 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. ”