Chapter Fourteen
Maggie
My teeth finally stop chattering as I step into the warmth of the lodge’s lobby.
The instant wave of heat wraps around me, chasing away the cold that had settled deep into my bones after hours outside.
I hadn’t expected to enjoy watching snowboarding as much as I did—boys on boards hurtling themselves down a mountain with an almost reckless precision.
It was thrilling, even if my fingers and toes paid the price.
The women’s runs are starting soon, but I’ve made the executive decision to watch from the comfort of a lounge chair inside. A girl can only endure so much frostbite in the name of journalism—or curiosity.
I glance around the lodge, taking in the rustic charm of the place.
The stone fireplace dominates one wall, flames crackling warmly as a few spectators gather nearby with mugs of cocoa and coffee.
The wooden beams overhead add a cozy, mountain-cabin feel, and the scent of pine and freshly brewed coffee fills the air.
This place screams luxury, but not in an obnoxious way.
More like the kind of indulgence you’d treat yourself to after a long day on the slopes.
I make my way to a chair near the window, where I can still catch glimpses of the slope through the large panes of glass. Setting my coffee down on the small table, I pull out my notebook, flipping to a fresh page. I jot down a few observations about the competition, but my mind keeps wandering.
More specifically, it keeps wandering to Liam.
I saw him scanning the crowd earlier, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. That small wave I gave him felt like an unspoken acknowledgment—of what, I’m not sure. But now, with drinks planned for tonight, my stomach flips at the thought of spending more time with him.
I really need to get my feelings in check.
Nothing good can come from mixing business with pleasure.
Nothing. Yet, the way Liam looked at me earlier, like I was the only person in that massive crowd, made my heart flutter.
Ugh. This is supposed to be a job—a story, not some rom-com scenario where the reporter falls for the charming snowboarder. I need to focus.
The lobby fills with more people as I sip my coffee and watch from my cozy corner.
Parents herd their bundled-up kids toward the fireplace, skiers peel off layers as they compare notes about their runs, and a couple near the window laughs softly over shared whispers.
It’s easy to get lost in the gentle hum of the lodge, the warmth lulling me into a state of calm that feels dangerously close to contentment.
That is, until a loud burst of laughter draws my attention.
A group of snowboarders spills into the lobby, all swagger and boisterous energy.
Among them, of course, is Liam. His presence is impossible to miss—he commands attention without even trying.
He’s still in his gear, his helmet tucked under his arm, and his smile is wide as he exchanges jokes with the guys around him.
I sink lower into my chair, my heart kicking up its pace. Of course, he’d end up here. This is his territory, after all.
As if sensing my thoughts, Liam’s gaze sweeps the room, and for a brief, electric moment, our eyes meet. His smile softens, something unreadable flickering across his face before he nods subtly in my direction.
I quickly glance down at my coffee pretending to be busy, but my fingers grip the cup tighter than necessary. He’s going to come over. I can feel it.
Stay professional, Maggie, I remind myself, even as my stomach flutters at the prospect. Stay professional.
The sound of his boots crossing the polished wood floors grows louder, each step making it harder to convince myself that this is just another story subject.
I keep my eyes glued to my notebook, scribbling nonsense words in an attempt to look busy.
But I can hear him getting closer. The deliberate steps, the faint creak of his snowboard boots against the floor—it’s impossible to ignore.
My stomach tightens with every sound until finally, a shadow falls over my table.
“Hey, Maggie.” His voice is warm, confident, and entirely too casual for the way it sets my nerves on edge.
I glance up, pretending to be surprised to see him. “Oh, Liam. Hi.”
“Mind if I join you?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before pulling out the chair across from me and sitting down, flashing me a grin that’s as infuriating as it is charming.
“Not at all,” I say dryly, setting my pen down. “You seem to show up everywhere I am.”
“It’s a small mountain,” he replies with a teasing wink before taking a seat and leaning back in a chair as if he owns the place. “Hard not to bump into you when you’re everywhere I want to be.”
“Smooth,” I say, arching a brow. “Do you practice these lines, or are you just naturally insufferable?”
“Both,” he admits with a laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “But you like it.”
“Debatable,” I reply, though the small smile tugging at my lips betrays me.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “So, what’s a serious journalist like you doing holed up in the lodge instead of braving the cold for the women’s runs?”
“I can multitask,” I say. “Besides, I can see everything I need to from here.” I gesture to the large windows behind him.
“Convenient,” he says, his tone playful. “But if you’re looking for the real experience, you should hang out with me and my friends. We’re grabbing some food in the lounge. You should come.”
I blink, caught off guard by the invitation. “Me? With you? And your friends?”
“Yeah,” he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Unless you have a better offer.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why do I get the feeling this is some kind of trap?”
“It’s not a trap,” he insists, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “Think of it as research. You can meet a few other snowboarders, get a feel for the culture, and maybe you’ll even enjoy yourself.”
I tap my pen against the table, pretending to consider it. “And what’s in it for you?”
“Good company,” he says, his grin widening. “And the satisfaction of knowing you’re not freezing to death out there.”
I sigh dramatically. “Fine. But if this turns into some kind of bro-fest where everyone just talks about protein shakes and gear, I’m out.”
“You wound me,” he says, standing and offering me his hand. “Come on. I promise you’ll have fun.”
Reluctantly, I slip my frozen fingers in his, letting him pull me to my feet. His palm is warm and rough, and I try not to think about how nice it feels as he leads me toward the lounge.
When we arrive, three guys are already gathered around a large table, their laughter carrying over the low hum of conversation in the room. Liam greets them with a nod before turning to me.
“Maggie, meet the guys. This is Bryce, Carter, and Floyd. We’ve been competing together since… forever, basically.”
“Forever is an understatement,” Floyd says, standing to shake my hand. He’s tall and wiry, with a kind smile that immediately puts me at ease. “It’s nice to meet you, Maggie. Liam mentioned that you’re covering the competition for Pine Cove.”
“He has?” I ask, shooting Liam a pointed look.
“We love reporters,” Bryce interjects, grinning as he leans back in his chair. His dark hair is messy, and there’s a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Well, mostly.”
“Don’t listen to Bryce,” Carter says, rolling his eyes. He’s the most serious-looking of the group, with a sharp jawline and an intensity that contrasts with Bryce’s easygoing demeanor. “He’s just mad Liam scored higher than him today.”
“Barely,” Bryce retorts. “And I’ll still crush you in the finals.”
“Sounds like friendly competition,” I say, taking a seat.
“Friendly’s a strong word,” Carter replies, but there’s a glimmer of humor in his eyes.
“Don’t let these guys scare you off,” Liam says, sliding into the chair beside me. “They’re harmless.”
I smirk. “Good to know.”
As the conversation flows, I find myself relaxing.
The banter between Liam and his friends is quick and full of inside jokes, but they include me effortlessly, making me laugh more than I expected.
And every so often, I catch Liam glancing at me, his eyes warm and filled with something I’m not quite sure I’m willing to admit to myself.
For now, I enjoy the moment, ignoring the nagging voice in the back of my mind reminding me that this is all supposed to be strictly professional.
Bryce leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “So, Maggie, do you want to hear about how Liam got the nickname ‘The Bad Boy of Snowboarding’?”
I glance at Liam, who groans and rubs his temples. “Don’t listen to him. Whatever story he’s about to tell is exaggerated.”
“Not even a little,” Bryce counters, his grin widening. “So, back when Liam was, what, fifteen? Sixteen?”
“Fourteen,” Carter corrects, smirking.
“Right. Fourteen.” Bryce winks at me. “There was this massive tree near the half-pipe at one of our early training spots. Like, gigantic. And no one would go near it because it was way too dangerous. The incline was brutal, the snow packed hard, and it was lined with jagged rocks. But guess who decided it was a great idea to launch off it?”
“Let me guess,” I say, biting back a smile. “Liam?”
“Bingo,” Bryce says, pointing at me like I’ve solved a great mystery. “He strapped in, didn’t tell a single soul what he was doing, and just sent it.”
“I stuck the landing,” Liam interjects, looking mildly defensive.
“Barely,” Carter chimes in, shaking his head. “You were airborne for like, ten seconds, and when you hit the ground, I thought for sure you’d broken both legs.”
“Legendary,” Floyd adds, grinning. “But also completely insane.”
“Why would you do that?” I ask Liam, genuinely curious.
He shrugs, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “I liked pushing the limits. Still do, I guess.”
“‘Pushing the limits’ is an understatement,” Carter says, leaning back in his chair. “Remember that time he built a ramp in his backyard and tried to jump the family minivan?”
“No!” I exclaim, unable to contain my laughter. “Did he make it?”
“Barely,” Bryce says, throwing his head back in laughter. “But he didn’t stick the landing that time. Ended up with a dislocated ankle and a very pissed-off dad.”
“Mom still doesn’t know about that,” Liam mutters, shaking his head. “And let’s keep it that way.”
“Oh, I think she does,” Floyd says, smirking. “Parents always know. They just pretend they don’t so they don’t have to admit how dumb their kids are.”
“I wasn’t dumb,” Liam defends. “I was… ambitious.”
“Is that what we’re calling it now?” Bryce teases.
Carter laughs, shaking his head. “You were a daredevil, plain and simple. But you’ve always been that way. It’s why you’re one of the best.”
The table falls into a comfortable silence for a moment, the laughter lingering in the air. I glance at Liam, who’s watching me with a small, almost shy smile.
“Doesn’t surprise me,” I say, breaking the quiet. “You’re still that guy, aren’t you? The one who pushes the boundaries?”
His smile deepens, and something in his eyes shifts, softens. “Maybe. But these days, I know when to pull back.”
“Most of the time,” Bryce quips.
“Shut up,” Liam says, throwing a napkin at him.
As the stories continue, painting a picture of a fearless, determined Liam, I realize just how much more there is to him than the charming snowboarder I first met. And as much as I try to remind myself to keep my distance, it’s getting harder to ignore the pull he has on me.