‘This is good.’ Jonathan’s face was tanned and kissed with the afternoon sun. ‘I’m starving.’
‘Skiing makes you hungry for sure.’ She hoped the ketchup wouldn’t ooze out of the sides of the roll and down her chin.
‘Are you here with friends?’ When she shook her head he asked, ‘Boyfriend?’
It’d be funny if the situation wasn’t so serious. ‘No, I’m here on my own.’ He seemed surprised by that so she figured she’d better add, ‘My boss sent me to do some research for a new feature. It was supposed to be someone else’s gig but she can’t do it.’
‘You scored big.’
‘You think so? I’m not much of a skier so this will be my only day on the slopes.’
‘No, you can’t do that.’
Lydia explained all about the article with the different angle. ‘To be honest, I’ve enjoyed today more than I thought I would but I can’t say I’ll be sad to have my feet on solid ground for the rest of the time. How long are you out here for?’
‘Another couple of weeks and then I finish teaching. I’m heading back to the UK after that.’
‘Is it almost time to get back to the life of an architect?’
‘Almost.’
The way he was looking at her made her realise he too was most likely thinking back to the day they’d first met. Using her spoon, she scraped off the lashings of cream they’d added to the hot chocolate. It was way too much. ‘How do you feel about it?’
‘Skiing is the dream and I love it, but I’m happy to go back to reality. I’ll still try to head to the ski resorts every year, when I can. This is my first time in Andorra but I’m hoping to come back. It’s pretty spectacular, don’t you think?’
‘It’s my first time here too, and yes, it’s beautiful. I’ll bet it’s nice in the summer.’
‘You’re more of a summer person?’
‘I guess so. I’m not into the adrenalin of winter sports, but I could see myself hiking or horse riding in the warmer months.’
They talked more about what Andorra would be like when the weather changed. Lydia had researched the area before her trip so she had plenty to tell Jonathan. Andorra, located in the Pyrenees in Southern Europe between France and Spain, was a summer haven for many, but it was easily overlooked with its focus on winter skiing. ‘In the warmer months when the snow has melted, there’ll be long sunny days with miles and miles of walking trails, mountain streams, the sun beating down.’
‘It sounds as though you’ll definitely be back.’
‘Maybe.’
‘So what else do you have planned while you’re here?’ He stacked his empty plate on top of hers while she reeled off the list of what she still wanted to see.
‘It sounds like a busy schedule,’ he said.
‘I’ve purposely done the skiing first and saved the best till last.’
‘Oh yes? And where do you have in mind?’
‘Caldea Spas.’ She stirred the remains of the cream she hadn’t scraped off into the hot liquid beneath. ‘I’m going to try everything – the pool, outside lagoons, Jacuzzi, Roman baths.’
‘Actually, given I fell over quite spectacularly yesterday and have the bruise on my thigh to show for it, Caldea Spas sounds incredible. And I’m a bloke.’
‘I’m wondering how many men I’ll see there.’
‘I guess it depends how in touch with their feminine side they are.’
When Jonathan smiled she looked away. It’d been a long time since any man had made her feel so nervous and awkward, and suddenly she felt overwhelmed. ‘I should get back to the hotel.’
‘Sure. I’d better get going too.’
‘Thanks for the hot chocolate.’ She stood up, smiled and turned in the direction of where they’d left their skisleaning up against the wall at the side of the coffee shop.
