HOLLY: How did you sleep?
MAYA: Adequately.
HOLLY: That's a lie but okay.
HOLLY: He's already been here this morning. Checked on the reindeer. Asked Justin if the evening event was still on.
MAYA: He asked if the evening event was still on?
HOLLY: He wanted to confirm you'd be there I think.
HOLLY: Justin said he was very casual about it.
HOLLY: Justin also said and I quote 'he's never asked about the schedule before.’
MAYA: Holly.
HOLLY: I'm just providing context.
MAYA: I know. Thank you for the context.
HOLLY: How are you feeling about tonight?
MAYA: Like I know what's coming and I want it and I've wanted it for longer than this week.
HOLLY: Yeah.
HOLLY: I know.
MAYA: Is that okay?
HOLLY: Maya. You've been reading these books for years and watching all of us find our Daddies. It’s your turn. Yes, it's okay. It's more than okay.
MAYA: What if I do it wrong?
HOLLY: You don't do it wrong. You just talk. He's good at this. I can tell.
HOLLY: And if it helps, Justin vouches for him completely. Has since the day I met him.
MAYA: That does help.
HOLLY: I know. Now go write something brilliant and I'll see you in a bit.
The ski demonstration is genuinely spectacular.
The resort's instructors run an exhibition on the main slope, carving runs and a few aerial moves that make the preview crowd gasp, and I photograph all of it from the viewing deck with the mountains enormous behind them and the snow catching the noon light. It's the kind of content that does numbers regardless of the words that I’ll pick as a caption. I'm aware of doing my job well and I'm also aware of the specific low hum of anticipation that has been running under everything all day.
Anthony isn't at the ski demonstration. He's at the ranch in the mornings. I know his schedule now, he is very predictable.
He texts at one.
Anthony: Fawn is eating on her own.
I stare at the message for a moment. He sent me a ranch update. He thought of me in the middle of his work day and sent me a message that he knew would matter to me.
Me: That's the best thing I've heard today.
Anthony: I thought you'd want to know.
