Page 24 of Let’s Be Real

Adrenaline flooded my veins like lava, lighting me up from the inside out, burning away all my thoughts and worries, leaving my head empty. Almost calm. Just my body barreling down the side of a mountain with nothing to protect me.

For the short burst of time, I lost my mind in a way that made me feel lighter than air. A maniacal laugh tore out of me as I hit another straightaway and let the sled fly.

By the time the bottom rushed up to meet me, my hands were shaking, and my pulse pounded so hard it felt like it might crack my ribs open. I had to force myself to drag the brakes at the last second, the sled slowing in a screeching protest before finally rolling to a stop.

“Samantha!” Her name came out a half laugh, half shout.

She was waiting for me at the exit, jumping up and down, her whole face lit up. “I thought you weren’t going to brake,” she called, her hands cupped around her mouth. “You were flying, Nate!”

I shoved my fingers through my hair, breath still uneven, skin buzzing like I’d been struck by lightning. “I think I blacked out halfway through.” I grinned despite myself. “Or I died. One of the two.”

I pushed off the sled, legs a little unsteady as I climbed to my feet. My hands were still shaking when I reached for her. Her fingers slid into mine without hesitation.

“What did you think?”

I exhaled, my gaze drifting up the mountain I’d just flown down. “I think…” I turned back to her and squeezed her hand. “I think I want to do that again.”

Chapter Nine

Samantha

This afternoon I’d learned something earthshaking about Nate: he was fun. Not only that, he hadn’t been having nearly enough fun in his life.

I had to be the one to drag him off the mountain. Left up to him, he’d be taking a ride down the slide again.

Seeing his happy, flushed face when he reached the bottom was the most endearing thing I’d ever witnessed.

Nate Wells loved alpine slides. He loved going fast, the wind in his hair, his heart galloping in his chest. He loved the edge of controlled danger. Being the one to give him that made me warm all over.

He’d turned my day around too. I’d let go of my anxiety over the bed situation and had almost forgotten we’d be mingling with my entire family over cocktails this evening.

Almost.

Now, we were all dressed up. Nate, sleek and handsome in his navy-blue suit, sans tie, his shirt perfectly crisp and white, hair immaculately windswept. Just having him walk in beside me boosted my confidence.

It helped when he clasped my hand in his and his thumb took up its rubbing duty. The quivers inside my belly settled, like he’d found a magic button on me that released serotonin.

He dipped his head as we rode the elevator, his mouth near my ear. “Did I mention you look beautiful tonight?”

Goose bumps pricked my bare shoulders. “You forgot.” I grinned at him, my nose nearly grazing his chin. “Thank you. You look even more handsome than usual.”

“It must be all the sun I got earlier.” His mouth curved as his eyes danced over mine. “And the company.”

We weren’t alone in the elevator. My aunt and uncle were in front of us. They’d acknowledged me politely before turning their backs. Nate was being sweet for their benefit. To show them I could be treated with kindness and reverence.

And even though it was pretend, I couldn’t stop my toes from curling in my strappy sandals. I’d dressed carefully. My deep-fuchsia dress reached my knees and scooped just low enough on my chest. Modest without being obviously so. Pretty, but not so showy anyone would think I was trying to upstage my sister.

With my heels on, I was a little taller than Nate, but he didn’t seem to mind. Of course, this wasn’t real. I imagined he wouldn’t love being towered over by his actual girlfriend. My past boyfriends had definitely been annoyed by it. I simply refused to wear flats on the basis of principle.

We reached the ground floor, and my aunt and uncle scurried out of the elevator, putting distance between us as quickly as they could, lest anyone think we were together.

Or maybe they were thirsty for free cocktails.

Nate’s hand was firmly wrapped around mine as we stepped onto the patio reserved for the event. Waiters wove through the smartly dressed crowd of my and Josh’s family and friends, carrying silver trays laden with hors d’oeuvres and flutes of champagne.

“Should we get a drink?” Nate asked.

“Please,” I agreed readily. “A strong one.”