Page 70 of Make It Last

“Oh? Are you thinking about staying?” Maisie asked, looking up from Growly again.

“I don’t know. Um, Josie offered me a job.”

“Oh yes, they’re about to start hiring for the ski resort,” Maisie said, leaning forward, eyes bright.

“That’s what she told me.”

“Oh, you should take it,” Maisie said firmly.

There was a light knock on the door, and I called out, “Come in,” just as Josie began to open it. She walked in holding a tray in one hand and a bag in the other. She made a beeline for the kitchen island counter with a few more women trailing her.

“You offered Ava a job?” Holly called over to Josie.

“I did. We need a business manager. An ‘in charge of everyone’ kind of situation.” Josie grinned. “I looked Ava up. She has everything we need.”

“Is everyone here local?” I couldn’t help but ask.

A chorus chimed in with voices crisscrossing. Casey, Maisie, and Tish declared they were transplants.

“Where are you from?” I asked, surprised as I glanced among them.

“Tish is from Seattle,” Maisie supplied. “Casey’s from North Carolina. I’m from mostly California.”

“I’m a former city girl too,” Madison announced, dropping onto the ottoman, careful to avoid my booted foot.

“City girl?” I asked.

“I’m from Houston. High heels, makeup, dressed to the nines. That was me.”

“You look absolutely amazing,” I pointed out.

She really did. Madison was one of those women who didn’t need much makeup, but what she wore was expertly applied. She had perfect smoky eye shadow, her nails were beautifully done, and her glossy dark hair was pulled back in a high ponytail.

“I wouldn’t trade my life now for my old life if you paid me,” she added.

I thought about my life. Working myself to the bone, always on the run. Trying to make enough money to help fill the gaps for my parents. Realistically, I could help with their bills no matter where I lived. Now that everything had gone down with Brad, I sure as hell didn’t want to go back to that office and have to work with him and his new whatever-she-was.

I let out a sigh. “You know, I’m not that attached to my city life.”

“Really?” Madison tilted her head.

“I came here on a second trip because I had so much fun the first time.”

“When was your first trip?” she asked.

“Divorce trip,” I said with a half smile. “Last spring. My friends brought me. We loved it. It was one of those package deals—shorter than I wanted—but I had a bunch of leave saved up. So we came again.”

“And then you fell on a glacier, and Tanner rescued you!” Holly said brightly.

“He did.” I felt my cheeks heating. I could tell Madison noticed, but she was gracious enough not to say a word.

“I’m on Team Tanner, by the way,” Holly added cheerfully.

“Team Tanner?” I raised an eyebrow.

Since that first night we’d spent together, we’d shared more. As much as I wanted to have card night tonight, I also really wanted him here. I was already contemplating texting Tanner the moment I had the place to myself again.

“Is something going on between you and Tanner?” Madison asked, her lips twitching at the corners.