Page 38 of The Christmas Accomplice

Reece grinned. “It’s all taken care of, no worries. You here for breakfast?”

“Yeah, I really like that buffet.”

“Would you like some company?”

Welton’s smile grew even bigger. “Yeah, sure. I’d love that.”

They headed to the restaurant and were seated by the windows looking out on the slopes already dotted with skiers. The server approached, a nice college kid named Andy who greeted Reece by name. After they both said they’d have the buffet, Andy asked, “Will these be together or separate?”

“My treat this time,” Welton practically blurted, then looked at Reece with a shrug. “I mean, you paid for such an amazing meal last night.”

“Enjoy,” Andy said. Reece ignored the smirk on his face as he took their menus and walked off.

They browsed the buffet together, talking about favorite breakfast dishes and the potential healing properties of bacon. When they’d returned to the table, Reece was surprised to realize he was nervous about asking Welton to go tobogganing. What if he turned him down? Did he have an alternate suggestion?

Reece decided to just go for it. “Do you have anything planned for today?”

Welton looked up, his expression open and interested. “No. Do you need help setting up something else?”

A little guilt twisted in Reece’s gut. This was Welton’s vacation. “Oh, um, thanks for volunteering again, but no. I was going to head up to the toboggan run and thought I’d see if you wanted to tag along.”

“Toboggan run?” Welton sat back and chewed on his lower lip as he looked around, then he sat forward again. “Hold that thought. I, um… I need to use the restroom.”

He hurried away from the table. Reece watched him go, wondered if he saw Welton typing on his phone as he went, then picked at his food as he mentally cursed himself. He’d known skiing was out, but he wanted Welton to experience some winter fun that didn’t require learned skills. Basically he would just have to hold on tight. But Welton wasn’t interested in going tobogganing. He liked role playing games and number crunching. Reece had completely blown it already, and they hadn’t even been on an official first date.

And what did it matter in the long run? Welton would be leaving after the holiday, so why should Reece get too invested in things? What point would that serve? All it would do was leave him here working the front desk and going home to his apartment. Alone.

It was a fact. Everyone who checks into the lodge eventually checks out again. Reece couldn’t help but compare that to his heart. Everyone wound up leaving.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out to find a text from Nick.

Why are you sitting all alone in the restaurant?

He clenched his jaw and wrote back: Are you spying on me?

I told you the waitstaff likes to gossip. What happened?

Before Reece could type out a response, Welton returned to the table and sat down. He looked a little winded, and Reece was about to ask him which bathroom he’d run off to use when Welton blurted, “I’d love to go tobogganing with you.”

Surprise wiped Reece’s mind clear of all thought, and for a moment all he could do was stare across the table with a stupid smile on his face. Then his brain clicked into gear and he said, “Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes, really. I’m sure. Did you want to go right after breakfast?”

“Yeah. Yes, if you’re really on board with it. I don’t want to force you to do something you’re not interested in.”

“You’re not. Forcing me that is. I do want to go. Honestly.”

“All right. Good. This is… this is good.” Reece resumed eating his breakfast but he wasn’t really tasting it anymore. He couldn’t believe things were really going to work out.

They talked about the Christmas karaoke event that evening, and Welton promised to sign up for it when they returned from the toboggan run.

“If I return,” Welton added, then laughed. He caught himself and looked around before making a face. “Sorry. That was a little loud. Maybe too much coffee.”

When the check came, Welton charged it to his cabin and they pulled on coats, hats, and gloves as they exited the restaurant into the lobby. Reece thought he saw Dean and was about to say something, but then Welton tugged on his sleeve and pointed toward the desk.

“Nick is trying to get your attention.”

Reece looked at the desk in time to see Nick holding up both hands with all of her fingers crossed. How the hell had she managed that?