“It’s not so much walking as sliding the board along. Here let me show you.” He unstrapped his board and walked in front of me. “Can I grab your waist?”
“Sure,” I mumbled before he placed two gloved hands on my snowsuit. Despite the layers between us, my heart still dropped into my stomach. I could feel his warm breath on my face.
“Okay, so take your back foot and keep it parallel with the board. Pretend like you’re skateboarding or something.”
I did as he instructed, and he started walking, slowly bringing me along with him.
“There you go, much smoother. You don’t want to turn that back foot. That’s when it becomes more like walking, and it’s a lot less efficient.”
“Got it, thanks.” I sounded breathless. Hopefully, he thought it was due to my tiredness and not our proximity.
We were at the lift now, and it scooped us up. My board hit the top of his board as I got situated.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I’m still getting the hang of the lift.”
He waved me off. “Don’t worry about it. I teach lessons all day. You have no idea the abuse my board has seen.”
“Do you like teaching?”
He shrugged. “It’s alright. I like it some days more than others. It’s fun being out here all the time in the winter.”
“It’s a beautiful place to spend time.”
He just nodded.
“Um. Do you miss competing?”
He sucked in a breath. “You know, it’s weird to admit it out loud, but not really. I’m grateful for that part of my life and all the doors it opened. But it was a lot of pressure. It’s nice to wake up every day and not feel like I’m on a downward spiral toward obsoletion.”
“I never would have thought about it like that. Sounds pretty tough, mentally.”
The lift halted as two skiers fell at the top. Their limbs became tangled in one another’s.
I waited for Giles to ask me questions or continue the conversation. We sat there in silence for a few beats when he didn't.
“So,” I started again. “I haven’t seen you around the lodge the past few days.”
“I’ve been busy. Had a few private lessons the other day.”
“Got it.”
“Why, did you miss me?”
My cheeks flushed, and I looked up to see Giles grinning at me. Was he flirting with me? What kind of strange alternate reality were we in right now?
“Don’t flatter yourself. You usually stop by, is all.”
The lift was moving again. I snapped my mouth closed, focusing all my attention on not embarrassing myself.
“How are you with getting off the lift?” he asked.
“I’m okay.”
“Meaning?”
“I’ve fallen two out of the three times.’
He chuckled. “Just don’t bring me down with you, Florida.”
