Chapter 70
HANNAH
One week later…
Anthony and Jill make reservations at the local tavern, inviting not only Maya and me but Coach Jones, his daughters, the team, and Henry. Tonight, we find out if all our efforts saved Snowy Peak, and the anticipation is killing me.
My legs are bouncing under the table, and Noah has to keep holding them steady. “You’re giving me anxiety.”
“Sorry, I’m just nervous.” And rightfully so, as Snowy Peak means everything to me, and if what we did, what the team did, doesn’t help rejuvenate all that lost revenue, then it’s truly over.
Noah leans in, his lips tickling my ear. “After dinner, I can help ease some of it, if you like?”
I shiver. He knows damn well I want nothing more than for him to ease the fuck out of me, but now is not the time. I pinch his side, and he yelps in pain. “Not right now, too many ears.”
He tugs at a loose curl and smiles. “Whatever you say.” Winking like an idiot, I shut him up with a quick peck to his lips.
Nobody is surprised at our recently changed relationship status. Rather, the guys, even Maya, my own best friend, were taking bets to see when we’d finally stop eye fucking each other and get together. Maya obviously won cause she knew. The girl is super observant when she wants to be.
Henry hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off of her ever since we arrived, and I’m starting to think there’s something more happening between them, but until Maya is ready, I won’t press it any further.
Anthony orders a bottle of an expensive red wine, and the waiter pours each of us a glass, leaving an extra bottle on the table.
Jill taps her glass, signaling everyone to pay attention. “I want to thank you all for joining us this evening, and especially a huge thanks to Coach Jones and his men for helping us put on such a wonderful event here in Vermont.”
Glasses all raised in unison, with mumbles of “yes” and “here, heres.” I’m already smiling at Maya when she turns to me, her eyes filled with happy tears.
Anthony stands next, glass in hand, looking at all of us around the table.
“When we first established our ski resort, it was in hopes of bringing friends and family together to create long-lasting memories and hopefully strangers to cross paths.” He gives me and Noah a quick glance, smiling, then continues.
“But we never thought it would last for over twenty-five years. When our now ex-accountant came to us, letting us know our revenue was tanking, we all but threw in the towel.”
I freeze, catching Maya doing the same. Ex-accountant?
“Dad?” Maya says, a look of uncertainty marks her face.
“Yes, we discovered Dennis has been using our funds to embezzle it all into his own personal accounts. That’s why our revenue was tanking. Not because people didn’t love Snowy Peak, it’s because we trusted someone too much and overlooked any wrongdoings he committed.”
Holy shit, Dennis is an absolute piece of shit.
“But, ultimately, it was our daughter Maya and her best friend Hannah who reminded us that just because times get tough, we can’t give up. We must strive every day and try our hardest, regardless of the circumstances. It was the reminder we needed to call up a dear friend for help.”
Jill is already crying, and Coach Jones is beaming like a proud dad, literally. His daughters, Elise and Ella, hug him on either side, and even Mark with his wife Sophia, Cody, Taylor, and Noah are chanting Coach’s name.
“And because of their gracious decision to make Snowy Peak their last stop on their tour, it is with great honor to announce, Snowy Peak is staying open for business!”
In our private room, we all cheer, Noah kisses me, then high-fives the guys. Anthony and Jill hug, tears flowing freely now. Henry awkwardly looks around, watching Maya run over to my side, hugging me tight.
My favorite place in the entire world, a place so close to my heart, is safe to continue for however many years the Gomezes decide to keep it running.
Coach Jones downs his glass of wine, and a cheesy grin spreads across his face. “I think a new tradition has been made.”
Anthony downs his glass, smacking Coach on the back. “A tradition indeed.”