“Why not? They’re your friends.”
He hesitated, shifting his gaze toward Aaron. There was a strange tension between the two of them. “Because you’re out of practice, and I’m not able to go with you right now. I have a conference call I can’t cancel. Give me an hour and I’ll take you up.”
“I’ll be fine. I don’t need a babysitter. We’ll stick to the easy slopes.”
“That’s not what I mean. I’d feel better—”
Aaron skied over and clapped Leo on the back. “Hey, man, don’t worry about Sage. I’ll keep an eye on her for you. The girls think it will be fun to get some pictures at the top of the mountain like we always do, and then we can all get a drink at the bar. We’ll save you a seat.”
“Ooh, shots. Last one to the lift is buying!” Blair knocked her ski poles together, then dug them into the snow before pushing off toward the chairlift. Aaron shrugged as he and Gretchen raced after her.
Leo held my arm, keeping me from skiing toward the lift. “Just be careful. Promise me you’ll stay off the black diamond trails.”
I brushed off his concern, poking him in the ribs. “No fair. You’re making me last. Now I have to buy drinks for your friends. Will you be happy if I promise to purchase top-shelf liquor?”
He ground his teeth. “The trails, Bennett. Promise me that.”
“Fine. Don’t worry so much. You taught me everything I know, remember?” I pushed off with my skis, then called over my shoulder. “Tell Valerie I’ll meet her after our run. Oh, andI left my notebook under the reservation desk. It has all my notes, so don’t throw it out unless you want an extremely angry witch on your hands.”
Gretchen and Blair caught the first lift, leaving me with Aaron. I grabbed onto the side of the chair as it lifted us off the ground, making my stomach lurch. I hated heights. The lift was a necessary evil, but I had never liked it, certain I'd fall off and end up in a mangled pile of skis and snow.
We climbed higher, my stomach knotting at the nearly thirty-foot drop.
“Whatever you do, don’t shake the chair.”
Aaron laughed. But this time, it was a low sound that made the back of my neck prickle.
“What? Like this?” He rocked forward in the seat, shifting his weight until the chair jolted. “Are you scared? You won’t fall.” He shook the chair again, seeming to take pleasure in my fear. I closed my eyes and held on. Leo might have been right. This was a bad idea.
Aaron leaned against me, crowding me to the edge of the chair. His heavy breath assailed my neck. “So, you and Leo are close again, huh? I’m surprised.”
“Why’s that?” I asked as the chair shuddered along the cable, cresting the tops of the trees. A cold feeling sank into my bones. I forced a smile and waved when Blair and Gretchen turned in their seat to look back at us.
“After what happened with you two, I assumed you’d stay away.” He angled his head closer. “People don’t change much, you know?”
Yeah, I was starting to believe it.
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea all over again. It’s nothing personal. It’s just the way it is.”
“No. I’m only helping Leo while I’m in town. I’m leaving soon. This week, in fact.”
“Good.” Aaron flashed his teeth. “Then we can have some fun while we’re here. Who knows when we’ll get another chance?”
The falling snow kicked into gear, and I brushed a layer off my ski pants when the lift reached the top. I stood as we hit the platform and skied down the small hill, following the two girls as they veered right.
They sailed past a group of trail signs, then twisted abruptly into a parallel stop, sending a wave of white powder into the air.
“I think the easier trails are that way,” I said, pointing with my pole.
“No, there’s a beginner trail that cuts through this section. It has an amazing view. We usually take our picture there.” Blair adjusted her goggles and angled her head toward a trail running through the trees. “Follow us.”
I weighed my options. I could go back the way we came and try to ski for the first time in ages all alone, or I could finish the run with them and head home when it was over. I definitely wasn't staying for a drink. Aaron had let his friendly mask slip on the lift. I didn’t want to be around when he took it off completely.
“Come on! It’s this way,” Gretchen shouted before she skied through the trees.
I huffed an icy breath and slid my skis forward. Twenty minutes and I’d be back at the lodge.
They waited for me in front of a trail sign after I slowed to a stop. Two black diamonds and the words, experts only, were painted on the sign. A dusting of snow obscured the trail name, but I didn’t need to read it to know it was ominous.
