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She had no clue what that even meant.
“Anyway. Hudson had it all planned out, and it was an incredible run. I couldn’t get a flight until seven tonight anyway, so I did the stunts for Hudson’s video and then planned to get a bunch of work done so Ammon wouldn’t be in a horrible lurch, get packed, and get to you.”
She tried to process. “The video was incredible,” she admitted. “I about died watching you flip off those cliffs. I was screaming and cheering.”
He smiled. “It was a lot of fun.”
“You’re the best skier I’ve ever seen. Why did you waste your time teaching me?”
“Because it’s you.” He eased closer. “I would ski down easy runs the rest of my life if I could ski with you.”
“Please stop with the lines.” She held up her hand defensively.
He tilted his head. “What can I do to convince you?”
“You kissed Iluminada,” she hissed at him. She wanted to scream and punch him and cry some more.
“I did not kiss Iluminada.” His voice was firm and his eyes begged her to believe him. “She showed up there because she needed some positive exposure. Somebody from Hudson’s media team had slipped the event to somebody on her media team, and they thought it would help her gain some new followers and take the pressure off her latest affair with some married man to show her with someone solid and grounded.” He pushed out a disgusted breath. “I was just enjoying the cheers and mingling with the crowd. Everybody was there for Hudson, but it was fun. I was watching Hudson kiss Kelsey and hold little Mo. I didn’t even know she was there and then she was kissing me. Didn’t you see me push her away and tell her to stay away from me?”
“The video cut at the kiss,” she said. Was this the truth? She knew Iluminada was an attention-seeking diva. “She also posted on her story that you were together.”
He shook his head. “Hudson’s people said she’d clear the air. I should know never to expect that from her. I didn’t see either video. I was focused on getting here. To you. I should’ve called but I wanted to show up and shock you.” He blew out a breath. “Apparently not a good shock liked I’d hoped. What can I do to prove it’s you I love?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I fell for you so hard and fast. I thought my heart had ripped out when I saw you kissing her.”
“Her kissing me,” he corrected. He covered the small space between them and she gasped. “Ayla.” He gently took both of her hands in his. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. That is the last thing I’d ever want to do, and I promise it wasn’t me. I didn’t kiss Iluminada back. I feel nothing for her anymore, not even anger. She is a shallow brat and leads an empty life, and I feel nothing but sorry for her. Everything she does is for publicity and money.”
He raised her hands to his lips and brushed his lips across her knuckles. She shivered, unable to stop the sensation him touching her created. How she loved him. But could she trust him?
“Ayla, I know you’ve been hurt deeply in the past. You know I have been as well. That’s one of the many reasons you broke through my barriers so quickly. Our shared pain. But the more important reasons are all about you … your sparkle and zest for life, your beautiful blue eyes making me want to get lost in them, your fun, teasing personality, your willingness to learn how to ski and not give up, your kiss, your touch, the light that shines from your face.” His voice got husky. “It’s a hundred little things I love about you that convinced me in an insanely short amount of time that you’re the only woman in the world for me.”
Her heart thumped faster and faster. Discernment.
Please, Lord … is he really real?
The door pounded behind them. “Ayla! Why aren’t you answering your phone? Open up.”
Jace glanced at the door, brow furrowed.
“Taryn,” she explained. She hurried to the door and flung it open.
“Oh, friend.” Taryn hugged her and then she must’ve seen Jace because she pulled away and tried to fluff her hair. “Hey, handsome.”
“Hi Taryn.” Jace lifted a hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Oh, you too, lover lips. You too.” Taryn winked at Ayla. “So you’re good. The hot man is here and you’re telling him all your plans. Well my plans.” Taryn grinned. “I’m kind of a genius of sorts.”
Jace looked even more confused.
“We arenotgood,” Ayla told her. “Didn’t you see him kiss Iluminada? How can I trust him?”
“That wasn’t on him. Didn’t you see Iluminada’s retraction post?”
“What?” Ayla’s head was spinning.
Jace stepped closer. “Retraction post?”
Taryn yanked out her phone and clicked on TikTok. The post of Iluminada was up. It was a picture of her holding a broken heart. She spoke in her throaty voice, her lips big and pouty, “Apparently Jace Jardine loves another woman and I have to admit that I kissed him and he didn’t kiss me back.” Iluminada rolled her eyes.
