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SNOW
“What does your evil stepmother want this time?” my best friend and coworker, Rosie, asked as she slipped into the seat across from my desk.
“I don’t know. I’m meeting with her in a few minutes, and I have a feeling it’s not good.”
“She can’t fire you. I mean, I guess she can, but this is your dad’s company.”
“Was, you mean. Itwasmy dad’s company.” I sighed as I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. “It’s hers now.”
I still didn’t know how she had convinced my dad to change his will so that she would inherit his business instead of me, though I had a pretty good idea. My dad had a problem with lusting over younger women, and Hilda was a young, gorgeous German woman who made him feel like a king. He’d have done anything for her—including giving her his entire fortune, apparently.
At least he made sure I remained with the company. I had a high-ranking position and a spot on the board, neither of which I wanted. My dad’s financial services company was the furthest thing from what I aspired to do with my life, but at least it was a job.
“You look like you need a vacation,” Rosie said. Her lips curled back into a devious grin.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Well… Have you heard about the new resort in the mountains?”
I cocked an eyebrow and leaned back in my seat, wondering why my best friend was now giggling like a schoolgirl with cheeks tinted rosy-red from embarrassment.
“New resort? I don’t think so…”
“It’s called The Gilded Peak. That doesn’t ring a bell?”
I shook my head. “Should it?”
“It should if you ever read a blog or dared to go on Instagram sometime, but since you like to stay out of touch with social media gossip, I’m not too surprised you haven’t heard about it. From what I’ve read it’s pretty mysterious, I guess.”
“Mysterious? How does a business survive if they’re shrouded in mystery?”
Rosie’s smile grew wider. “Well, I hear they’re getting by through word of mouth, mostly speculation and secondhand accounts. Get this—my sister’s boyfriend told her that his aunt’s co-worker went there and apparently it’s like one big party where everyone is attractive as hell and hooking up with each other.”
“And you think I’d be interested in this, why?”
“Well… youaretrying to pitch ideas for your next article. What would be better than a place that is mysterious and secretive? You could write your own firsthand account. Besides, we both know it’s been too long since you’ve been with a guy. You and Malcolm broke up, what, three years ago?”
“About that, yes,” I said. My high school sweetheart, Malcolm, was the only man I’d ever dated. We had broken up about two and a half years ago, but who was counting?
“Just imagine how much fun it would be to experience such hedonism, to be surrounded by sexy people and free to indulge in your every desire.” Rosie’s eyes glazed over and her smile relaxed.
“Maybeyoushould go,” I said, laughing at the dreamy look on her face.
“I don’t have the vacation time or I would.” She sighed dramatically. “Had I heard about it before my trip to San Diego, I totally would have gone there instead but maybe next year. You, on the other hand, have not taken a vacation day in close to three years. I’d say it’s about time for you to relax a bit.”
I checked the time with a low groan. “Time to meet with the wicked witch.”
“Wrong story. Good luck,” Rosie said as she got up from her chair.
“Thanks, I’ll need it.”
Rosie went back to her cubicle and I headed for the corner office—Hilda’soffice. I hesitated outside the door, reading the name plate over and over again.
Hilda Grimm.It wasn’t that long ago that the name on the door was Sylvester Grimm.I raised my hand and knocked.
“Come in.”
