I wander through the ski resort, winding my way through groups of people holding snowboards and ski poles. My head is spinning. I have no idea what just happened. Who was that blonde woman? Why did she have such a massive effect on all the boys? Cole and Riven headed back to the car as soon as she left, but I asked to get dropped off here, instead of going to the cabin. I figured if Eli was upset, this is where he would’ve come.
Crossing the road, I spot a couple of blonde girls wearing jackets emblazoned with the resort’s logo, and stop one of them. “Excuse me. Do you know where Eli is?”
She huffs. “God. If I had ten crowns for every time some girl asked me that.”
“He’s on the slopes,” her friend says. “He’s been up there a while.” She turns and squints at the mountains looming over us. “Hm.” She scans the view, then points. “There! That’s him, there, in the green jacket.”
I follow her finger, and my heart squeezes as I spot him. Holy shit.
Eli’s barrelling down the mountain impossibly fast, tilted sideways so his body is almost brushing the ground. As I watch, he straightens out just in time to fly over a ramp. His skis slide out from under him, and my mouth drops open as he tumbles, flipping backwards lazily in midair. He lands effortlessly upright on his skis, zooming around a corner.
“Is that safe?” I squeak, as he shoots downhill.
She laughs. “I think he can manage himself fine.”
I watch with bated breath for him to get to the bottom of the slope, then force myself to turn away. He obviously needs to let off some steam, so I text him that I’m here, and head into the nearest apres-ski bar to wait.
While I’m waiting, I pull out my phone to check my commissions email. I have to stifle a groan when I see three new messages from Sam. I don’t know why the Hell he won’t leave me alone. I obviously don’t want to talk to him. Inwardly wincing, I slide to open the message.
Baby I know you’re there. Please reply. We need to talk
What the fuck does that mean? My hands sweating, I type back a terse response.
We have nothing to talk about. Stop trying to contact me. This is my work email.
The reply comes back almost instantly.
Thank God you’re okay! I was so worried. Where the Hell are you?
I know you’re mad baby, and I’m sorry. I was childish. But we can move past this. We work so well together
Rage floods me. How can he talk like this, as if he didn’t ruin my fucking life? He got me fired, he turned all of my family and friends against me, and now he says that we should just ‘move past’ it?
I’m seeing someone else. Even if I weren’t, you are the last person on the planet I would date. Leave me the fuck alone.
I send the email, then power down my phone and put it back in my pocket. I’m so angry I can barely see straight. I can’t believe him. I can’t believe him. He seriously wants to get back together, after humiliating me in front of everybody I know? I grip the counter, seething silently.
“Daisy?” A heavy hand lands on my shoulder.
I turn to see Eli, still in his skiing clothes. Without even thinking, I surge upwards and kiss him. His lips are freezing; there’s still ice in his hair and snow melting in his clothes. He’s still for a moment, like he doesn’t know what to do; then he sighs and opens his mouth, letting me kiss him properly.
“Well,” his green eyes shine when we finally pull apart. “That was the best welcome off the slopes I think I’ve ever had.”
I lean into his side. “I was so worried about you. You looked so upset.”
“Oh, Tink.” He turns to the server, who’s watching us both with an amused look on her face. “Maria, can you get us some glögg? I think my organs are frozen.”
“Coming right up,” she says brightly, and turns to ladle some steaming liquid out of a big silver pot on the stove. Eli shakes off his ski jacket, then grabs my stool and drags it closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I snuggle into him, breathing in the warm scent of pine needles.
“What is glooog?”
“Glögg. Hot red wine, with port and brandy. And a bunch of spices.”
“Holy shit. Will I be on the floor?”
He laughs. “Maria makes it strong, but if you can handle snaps, you should be fine.”
“Here you are.” Maria puts two steaming cups on the bar in front of us.
I take a cautious sip. It tastes like mulled wine, warmed through with spices. “It’s delicious.”
“Yeah,” Eli says softly, staring at my face.
I take his hand and entwine my fingers through his. “Are you okay? Why did you come here? Who was that woman?”
He blinks, looking down. “That was our ex. Johanna.”
“Oh.” I mull that over in my head. “Our ex? As in all three of you?”
“Yep.”
I suddenly feel a stab of jealousy towards the woman. She got all three of them. Cole wanted her as well. “Did you love her?”
He nods, fiddling with the handle of his drink. “We all did. A lot.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It was pretty serious. Lasted two years. Well—” he pulls a face. “My relationship with her lasted two years. The other two were with her longer.”
“Why’s that?”
He shrugs tightly. “She got bored of me.”
My mouth drops open. “How is that possible?”
He laughs. “Du ser ut som en fågelholk.”
“What?”
“You look like a birdhouse.” He nudges my mouth closed with his knuckle. “You’re cute.”
“How could anybody get bored of you?” I burst out. It seems impossible. He’s one of the most energetic, fun, charismatic people I’ve ever met.
He sighs heavily, taking another deep sip of glögg. “I know it’s hard to believe, but yes, even with this much charm, wit, and good looks, people do still get bored of me. It truly makes no sense.”
He’s deflecting. I touch his arm. “Well, I think she’s mental to not want you.”
He snorts. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I saw you coming down the slopes earlier. You’re crazy talented. And you’re handsome and smart and sweet and charming—”
“I’ve got a big dick,” he adds.
“—You’ve got such a big dick, Eli,” I echo. “Really, you’re the whole package. Any woman—anyone at all—would be mad not to want you in their life.”
He ducks his head, but he can’t hide the smile spreading over his face. “Thanks, Tink. You’re sweet.” He slaps a hand on the bar. “C’mon. Finish your drink, then let’s head back. I think me and Riven should tell you the full story.”
When we step back into the cabin, all of the lights are off. It looks cold and empty.
“Riv?” Eli calls.
“Hi,” a voice comes from the kitchen table. I turn to see Riv, bent over a pile of paperwork in the dark. His voice is dejected.
“Where’s Cole?” Eli asks.
He jerks his head at the window. I can hear a steady thwack sound coming rhythmically from outside. “Hacking an innocent tree to pieces.”
“Is he okay?” I unwrap my scarf from around my throat.
Riv shrugs. “He will be. He just needs to axe something.” He runs a hand through his hair. He looks so sad and worn out. Stepping out of my boots, I cross the room and slide into his lap, winding my arms around his neck.
He stiffens in surprise, then relaxes. “Hello,” he murmurs, pulling me into his chest.
“Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I told her we’d tell her about Johanna,” Eli says, stepping into the kitchen and flipping the lights.
Riv frowns. “What? Why?”
“Don’t you think she deserves an explanation, after today?”
“Is that a good idea, though?”
Eli snorts. “Do you think she’s gonna get inspired to turn evil, or something? I don’t see how there’s any harm in telling her.”
Riven pulls back slightly, reading my face. I stay quiet. I’m dying to know the story, but I’m not going to press them for it.
“I guess not,” Riven says quietly. “I’m gonna need a drink for this conversation, though.”
“On it.” I turn and see Eli pulling a cocktail shaker out of a cupboard. “I’m making these strong.”
