Page 101 of Small Town Swoo
Which was stupid. I’d always known this had an end date. And less than twenty-four hours ago, he’d told me without actually telling me that this was not going to last.
Even if it felt like love.
The words had been on the tip of my tongue last night—actually, who was I kidding? Where Dash was concerned, they’d been on the tip of my tongue since I was twelve years old. It was a miracle I’d made it to twenty-four without blurting them out. But I’d chickened out at the last second and made a joke instead. I was too scared that he would think I was trying to pressure him into making promises he clearly didn’t want to make.
It wasn’t like I hadn’t been paying attention. I understood this was just a fling. I’d accepted the fact that he’d never be mine. We’d never belong to each other. Our lives were too different. Our bodies might have been in perfect harmony, but our dreams were not.
We would always be in each other’s lives, even if it was never like this again.
Just friends.
It would have to be enough.
Dash and I arrived at Snowberry Lodge just after four o’clock on Friday afternoon. It was hard not to let my fantasies run a little wild as he held the door to the lobby open for me—if we were a real couple, this is what it would feel like to take a weekend away together.
While Dash checked in at the desk, I texted Mabel.
YAY! We’re room 304. Come on up.
Sounds good. Is there a plan for tonight?
I think tonight is sort of a girls night. We’re taking Lexi out for dinner and drinks, and then maybe meeting up with the guys later.
Okay. See you in a minute.
Dash approached and handed me a key card. “Here. Room three-ten. I know you want to stay with Mabel, and I am totally fine with that, but if you want to re-enact that whole sneaking into my bedroom scene, I promise not to reject you this time.”
I laughed and took the card, tucking it into my purse. “Thanks.”
“What room is Mabel?”
“Three-oh-four,” I said.
We rode the elevator up together and walked down the hall on the third floor. At Mabel’s door, I stopped and looked at him. “This is me.”
“Okay.” After a quick glance up and down the empty hallway, he gave me a quick kiss. “Hopefully, I’ll see you later.”
I nodded and smiled, wondering if I actually had the willpower to stay out of his room tonight. “Sounds good.”
He continued moving toward his room, and I knocked on Mabel’s door. As she pulled it open, Dash and I exchanged one last look.
“Hi!” she said excitedly. She was already dressed in dark jeans and a black top, but her feet were bare and her hair was damp. “Come on in!”
I entered the room, which was beautifully decorated in pale woods, soft creamy colors, and cozy textures. The twoqueen beds were made up with thick white bedding and fuzzy camel blankets draped across the foot. The large windows overlooking the mountain let in plenty of natural light, and I went straight to the glass, dropping my bag to the floor. My breath caught at the view. “It’s so beautiful,” I said, taking in the grassy slopes, the budding trees, the spring flowers blooming at the base of the hill. “I’d forgotten how pretty this place is.”
“Same,” Mabel said. “We came to Snowberry a few times as kids, but I barely remember it. And I certainly don’t remember it like this. Devlin and Lexi have made tons of changes.”
I turned around and took in the relaxing decor of the room. “The place looks gorgeous. They must have spent a fortune on the renovation.”
“I think they did. You should see the spa—it’s incredible. The bar is cool too. I poked my head in there earlier.” She perched on the edge of her bed, leaning back on her hands. “How was the drive?”
“Fine.” I knelt down and unzipped my bag.
“How are things with you and Dash? I take it you forgave him for walking into the kitchen in his birthday suit?”
Laughing, I pulled out my clothes for tonight along with my makeup bag. “Yes. And things are good. Casual, you know.” Maybe if I said it enough times, my heart would start to believe it.
“Cool.” She slapped her hands on her thighs and stood up. “And that’s all I need to hear about that.”
