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We wake the next morning to the sound of multiple devices vibrating out of control. It’s clear the press release has gone out and there is interest. Not that I’m worried about how Ethan will handle any of this. He’s a pro by now and like he said last night, all press is good press.
“No turning back now,” Ethan grumbles, rolling over and burying his face in my neck. “You ready?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” I reply, pressing my nose to the top of his head, kissing it.
“Are you okay with announcing our relationship to the staff at Badger Creek too?” He asks the question even though he knows my answer. He’s thoughtful in his ways, wondering if I may have changed my mind given the way our morning has started. We haven’t even looked at what is making our phones buzz.
“I am, if anything, I’m more confident in that than I am giving this interview,” I say, taking in a hard breath. My chest rises, Ethan’s head moving with the movement and it feels good to be here with him when the press release went out.
My phone starts buzzing again, and I reach over and take it off the nightstand, seeing Delaney’s name lighting up the screen.
“Hey,” I say, swiping it open, only to hear her squealing as soon as I do.
“Congratulations!” she wails, hearing Alex yell the same thing in the background. “We’re so proud of you!”
“I guess you saw the press release, huh?”
“Alex has the alerts set up on his phone, so we get anything and everything that is related to skiing and snowboarding and mountains and pretty much anything that has to do with snow,” she jokes.
Ethan quietly gets out of bed and leaves the room, taking his phone with him as it has begun vibrating just as quickly as mine. This is probably how we will spend our morning, fielding calls and talking about the business deal. I also have my interview at ten today, something I’m still not looking forward to.
“Thank you for calling. I’m a little nervous. I have an interview in a few hours,” I say to Delaney, feeling my heart kick up a few beats faster than it was, drumming hard in my chest now.
“A little nervous?” she says, letting out a laugh. “I’d be a hell of a lot more than a little nervous and something tells me you are too.”
“It gets easier,” Alex calls out, sounding like he’s moving around, probably getting ready for something wedding-related.
“Thanks, I’ll try to remember that. How are things going there?” I now ask, trying to get the focus off me and onto something that will keep my mind from wandering.
“All good. The rehearsal dinner is tonight so we’re just hanging out in Alex’s childhood bedroom. Had some sex in a full-size bed,” she adds, laughing.
“Laney, come on!” Alex yells. “I know you tell Zoey everything, but seriously, can’t you wait until I’m not in the room with you?”
“Sounds like a solid weekend so far,” I joke. “And don’t worry, Alex, the walls in our condo aren’t that thick.”
“We’re meeting up with his dad to grab some lunch, so I gotta go, but text me when you’re done with your interview. I want to tell everyone I know when it goes live.”
And fuck my life, we’re back on that topic again.
“Okay. Have fun. Bye, Del.”
“Bye, Zo.”
This has been the longest, craziest day of my life and when I finally walk into Ethan’s house, it’s still quiet. I send him a text wondering if he’s on his way yet. I left work, exhausted and overwhelmed by all the questions and congratulations, not even bothering to check to see if Ethan has left yet too.
I spent most of my day working with the reporter on my interview and then a photographer who took way too many pictures of me for the article they’re working on. Pictures at my desk, pictures outside the lodge, pictures on the mountain, pictures out front of one of the Holden retail stores. It was pictures, and outfits and some lady chasing me around trying to fix my hair and makeup. Not something I was prepared for.
Me: I’m at your house. Had to bail out a little early today. What time do you think you’ll be home?
Ethan: On calls till 9pm. I’ll have dinner sent to the house for you. Sorry, this was supposed to be our weekend together. Poor planning on my part.
Me: Stop it. This is a big deal.
Ethan: How’d your interview go?
Me: Crazy. Tiring. You didn’t tell me they’d take pictures of me!
Ethan: What, did you think they’d use a cartoon drawing of you?
