Page 124 of Paparazzi Perfect
“Let’s do it!” I bounced on the spot.
I ran straight into his open arms, he lifted me off the ground, spinning me around while we laughed like idiots. When he finally set me down, we couldn’t stop smiling .
I’m so glad Dyson forced Karson to go to the club with him that night.
“You look lost in thought,” he said. “Care to share?”
“Just thinking how lucky we are,” I replied in wonder.
“About that. What do you think about taking an extended vacation until the house contract settles?” He turned to face Gus, who was aghast. “Don’t worry, Gus, this vacation doesn’t include being afloat, so you can relax,” he said, amused.
“Now that’s what I like to hear,” Gus replied, his frown vanishing as he meandered toward a bright flowering shrub.
“Well,” Karson said, his eyes locking onto mine, “are you on board? Excuse the pun.”
“Sounds tempting,” I said, unable to contain my smile. “As long as I’m back in time for my new job, I’m in!”
“We can come back whenever you want.” His eyes danced. “You know it’s a winter wonderland in Aspen right now. We could go there and then spend Christmas in St. Moritz.”
“A white Christmas, hey? I’ve always wanted to do that.” Excitement tingled through every part of my body.
“Then it’s settled,” he continued. “That should keep us occupied until it’s time to move into this beauty.”
I looked down, drew in a sharp breath, and blinked against the sting in my eyes.
“Ivy, what is it?” Karson grabbed my hands. “Don’t you want to go skiing?”
Clutching his hand, I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came as a tear trickled down my cheek.
Everything went wrong for so long. Now, everything feels… so right.“Tears of joy,” I managed, wiping my cheek.
His hand smoothed over my hair as he kissed my forehead softly, a shaky laugh escaped me.
The thought of flying down the slopes on the other side of the world with Karson made me smile. “I can’t wait for our trip, but just remember, I’m a snowboarder, not a skier.”
“That’s assuming,” he said, brushing his lips across my neck, “we even leave the chalet.”
“Come on!” I giggled, wiping away the last of my tears. “Let’s take a look inside.”
We joined hands and we made our way toward the brightly colored door.
32
EPILOGUE
TWO MONTHS LATER
DIARY ENTRY
Where do I begin?
My vacation with Karson has been crazy good. We snowboarded in places I never dreamed of, I even took some skiing lessons. Let’s just say, I’m better at snowboarding.
Karson’s insane on skis. He kept flying past me on the ski runs, heading back to the top, then passing me again before I’d even reached the bottom. But when I got on my snowboard, it was the other way around! Let’s just say he’s better at skiing.
His family’s ski lodge was seized as part of SolStar’s assets so we didn’t stay there. Karson told me he and Dyson had some of their best holidays there over the years. And guess what? When it comes back on the market… he’s going to buy it back! Yep, pinch me now.
We stayed in an exquisite chalet and met the loveliest people while we were there. Honestly, having Christmas in the snow was weird, but totally amazing. Usually, I’d be surfing beneath the scorching sun at that time of year.
