Page 15 of On the Slopes of Tahoe
“Yeah, okay.” She sighs. You’d think I’ve been torturing her for two hours rather than trying to teach her something fun.
We unclip from our boards and I carry them down to a rack, stacking them amongst all the others. Grabbing my girl’s glove-encased hand, we trudge upstairs into the lodge. Inside, the warmth surrounds us along with the smell of fried food. I look for an open table, but it’s crowded with what I imagine are other keeners trying to make the most of the resort finally having decent snow. Scanning the room, my eyes are drawn to the corner, as if by an invisible tether.
Rory’s strawberry-blonde hair is pulled over her shoulder in her signature braid and there’s a faint flush across her cheeks, making her freckles stand out. She offers a smile and a little wave, drawing Willow’s attention.
“Rory!” She’s gone from my side before I can stop her. I offer an apologetic shrug before she’s knocked back in her seat. I cross the room, excusing myself as I pass those Willow just blew through. Drawing closer, I see the computer sitting on the table.
Crap. She’s working and we’ve just obliterated her cozy bubble.
“Sorry. We didn’t mean to disturb you.” I offer her a contrite smile, hoping we aren’t too much of an inconvenience. Though she looks perfectly content, as does Willow—who’s practically climbed into her lap.
“Not at all. My eyes were going crossed from staring at this screen anyway.” Her shiny pink lips lift in a smile when she looks at Willow. “You’re the perfect distraction.”
I move around to her side of the table and rest my hands on the back of her chair. I see the pictures before she can close her laptop. Rows and rows of wedding photos are splayed across the screen, and an image processor takes up the top corner.
“What’re you working on?” I think she does something in marketing for the resort, but it didn’t look like the resort in the background.
She tilts her head back, her startling aquamarine eyes locking on mine. There’s a deep blush moving across her cheeks and I grip the chair a little tighter, itching to press my cool fingers to them.
Wait… what the hell?
“Nothing. Just editing some photos.” She chews her bottom lip and my eyes are drawn to her mouth now. It’s even more distracting than the blush. Leaning back into the chair, her shoulders brush across my fingers, and I pull my hands away like I touched something on fire.
“Can I see? Can I see?” Willow asks, and I’m grateful for the interruption. She gives Rory her puppy-dog eyes, a look I know well.
“Yeah. Okay.” She gives in and lifts the screen, and I sit down next to her.
Hovering over her felt too close, too intimate. Physical touch isn’t something I shy away from, but with her it feels different. Because of my connection to Wes? Or is it because of Talia…
On the screen, there’s photo after photo of a couple dressed to the nines and surrounded by nothing but gorgeous views. The blue lake glitters in the background, framed by lush green trees, though the couple stands on a rocky outcropping. It’s so different from a typical wedding, more private and intimate. There’s no crowds. No fancy decorations.
Jamie—who’s an officiantandan author, apparently—stands between the bride and groom with nothing but nature’s beauty to frame them in. It’s positively stunning, but the way Rory’s captured it, captured them… I’m struck by her talent.
“These are incredible, Rory. You took these?”
“Yeah.” She tucks her chin, like that will stop me from seeing her blush.
“Why didn’t Wes tell me you’re a photographer?”
She’s taken aback by the question, only making me want to press further.
“Can you take my picture?” Willow breaks in, forcing our attention to her instead.
“Sure. You know…” Rory trails off and boops Willow’s nose. “I’d love to get some of you snowboarding. How’d it go today?”
Willow shrugs and looks at me.
“She did great. Though your brother was probably right when he said I should get her lessons first. We’ll try that this weekend.”
“I’m sure you did amazing. I can’t wait to see,” she says, her full attention on Willow now. “Did you know snowboarding is my favorite?” She leans in and whispers something into Willow’s ear.
“Really? You’d go with me?” she exclaims, her face lighting up.
I bark a laugh.Of coursethat’s what she said. I think I’d rather like these two giving me a run for my money on the slopes.
“Anytime. You wanna go right now?”
Rory looks at me, eyebrows lifted in question. I raise mine back and shrug—silently telling her Willow won’t agree. Not a chance.
