Chapter 1
Reynolds
“You look like you need another shot.” Mattias grins widely and hands over the tiny glass. Who am I to deny the groom-to-be?
I throw the vodka back and grit my teeth against the taste. Of all the alcoholic options ever created, vodka would have to be the worst. People say it doesn’t have a smell, but as a bar manager, I can confirm that’s complete bullshit.
“How are you feeling?” I ask around the taste lingering on my tongue. “Is this everything you ever dreamed and more?”
He gives me a soft smile as his eyes roam the room, and I’d bet money he’s looking for Olive.
Fucking high school sweethearts. They’re ridiculous.
“I know you’re mocking me. I’d have been fine with city hall, but you know Liv’s always had her heart set on a big wedding. I love that I can give her that.”
Big is one way to describe it. Over-the-top would be another. Mattias has hired a ski resort for the weekend, and while the wedding on Sunday is going to be enormous, we have a bunch of prewedding events planned.
So not my thing.
But for my best friend, I’ll step up and be the goddamn greatest best man he could have had.
Starting with his bachelor’s day tomorrow.
Which will not include strippers. I’ve been told and made to promise at least twenty times—and not even by Liv.
It had been easy enough to agree when there’s only one person I want to see naked this weekend, but as I scan the room again, and still come up empty, I’m wondering if I should have organized strippers after all.
Over one hundred and fifty people have crossed the border into Canada for this wedding. Except the one I’ve been hanging out to see.
Screw it. I’ve tortured myself all day. I’ve passed the want to ask range and landed squarely in the need column.
I clear my throat. “I haven’t seen your brother yet.” Did my voice come out right? It’s sort of hard to tell when I’m concentrating so closely on not giving myself away.
“Yeah, Arlo called this morning and said his flight was delayed. He’s hoping to get in late tonight, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he crashes as soon as he gets here.”
No, he fucking will not.
My body reacts the way it always does when I know I’m within hours of seeing him.
Arlo and I have … history. Amazing history that’s never far from my memories.
Just thinking about him makes it difficult to breathe, because while I’m imagining a whole weekend of stolen kisses and mind-blowing sex, I’m also apprehensive. His visits end way too quickly.
“So where’s he flying in from this time?” I ask like I don’t follow his travel blog obsessively.
“He was somewhere in Thailand, totally off the grid, but flew to Hawaii last week, so here’s hoping he’s not too jet-lagged.”
And here’s hoping he’s single.
Seeing him at Christmas, in a relationship, was torture. It’s happened a few times over the years, and those visits are the most sexually charged, blue-ball-inducing times of my life.
“Is he bringing a plus-one?” I finally ask, sure I’m toeing the line, but Matti is too distracted to notice.
“I offered, but he’s flying solo.”
Relief floods me, even though it’s not confirmation of anything. He could still be dating that Miguel douche from Christmas, even if he’s not bringing him.
“Oh, Liv’s calling. You okay?” Matti asks.
I snicker. “I’ll be fine.” I’ve known most of the people here my whole life. Living in a town like Sunbury, where everyone knows everyone, means that apart from his extended family, most faces here are familiar.
As Matti answers Liv’s beckons, I head back to the bar.
Tonight was meant to be a low-key catch-up, but the foyer of the resort is jammed with people, causing the huge glass windows to fog up against the view. It’s freezing outside, but it’s starting to get humid in here, so I grab two Jack and Cokes, then head outside.
It takes me around two seconds to immediately regret my decision.
The night air is like a wall of ice that steals the air from my lungs.
I’m wearing a jacket, but my coat, hat, and scarf are inside.
Instead of retreating back into the warmth, I step closer to the balcony rail, brush off the thin layer of snow, and set one of my glasses down.
Then I tilt my head back and take in the view.
Copa Ski Report is surrounded by huge white mountains that glow under the light of the moon. Here, in this sunken valley, surrounded by sparkling snow, I feel small, and the few worries that usually sit heavy on my shoulders ease away.
Footsteps come from the left, and I glance toward the stairs as a shadowy figure jogs up them and steps into the light flooding the landing.
My words stumble as my heart surges into my throat. “Arlo.”
He looks up at my voice, and I’m blown away, yet again, at how beautiful he is. His wavy blond hair is windswept, blue eyes bright, and his cheeks are flushed an abused red from the cold, but every cell in my body needs to get closer.
“Reynolds.” The word is relief and regret and want all passing through those perfect pink lips.
It makes me forget to think.
I don’t check if anyone can see us.
I don’t ask if he still has a boyfriend.
I don’t remember that his entire family is behind those foggy glass windows.
I close the distance between us and kiss him.
He responds instantly, pushing into my hold as I cup his frozen face and my tongue licks into the wet warmth of his mouth.
He tastes exactly the way I remember him tasting, with a hint of mint and something sweet.
Knowing that he brushed his teeth and put on lip gloss before coming here only encourages me, and as my confidence builds, I crowd him up against the side of the building, never wanting to come up for air.