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“Confidence, maybe?” she said. “Putting myself out there like that is a bit daunting. What if I’m terrible?”
“Nothing you do is terrible. I’d buy all your books,” I responded, wishing I hadn’t said something that made my interest in her so obvious.
Eric’s little sister, I reminded myself.
But the way her smile lit up her whole face made my comment worth it.
I needed to stop this. Before she could respond, I flipped over my sketchbook to reveal my drawing.
The pencil sketch depicted Zoey with a soft smile playing on her lips, capturing a candid moment that hinted at her inner spirit. The details, from the subtle curve of her cheek to the way her hair framed her face, told a story beyond what met the eye.
A subtle hitch in Zoey’s breath caught me off guard. She liked it. Her gaze fixed on the paper, her eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush bloomed across her cheeks. It was a reaction I hadn’t anticipated—one that sent a rush of satisfaction through me.
Her lips curved into a pleased smile, and the spark of appreciation in her eyes stirred my creative spirit, confirmation that my efforts had resonated with her.
“It’s—” She stopped, her mouth agape as she looked from the drawing to me. “It’s stunning.”
It was a simple drawing, but her genuine gratitude was unmistakable.
Mason and Liam bounded down the stairs, dressed in their ski clothes, and the cabin filled with laughter. I was disappointed that my time alone with Zoey had come to an end.
I wanted my time alone with Zoey to continue, but whatever was happening needed to stop. I shouldn’t have been so disappointed that my friends had interrupted us. Instead, I should’ve been grateful.
Liam walked to the counter and grabbed a banana and a cup of coffee. “You should come with us, Zoey.”
“Yeah, it’s supposed to snow in a few hours,” Mason agreed. “Fresh powder.”
Zoey paused and then shook her head. “Sorry, guys, but I can’t. The couch, movies, and hot chocolate are calling my name.”
Mason and Liam shared a disappointed glance but ultimately shrugged it off and headed out the door, their laughter and happy conversation still echoing in the cabin.
I watched Zoey as she turned away, her eyes lingering on the door until it had fully closed.
I wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words. Instead, I tore out the sketch from my sketchbook and handed it to her.
Zoey and I exchanged a look. Her smile would linger in my mind all day, but instead of acting on it, I ran upstairs to get dressed. Then I met Mason and Liam outside for a day on the mountain.
CHAPTER4
Mason
The cold bite of the ski slopes still clung to my skin as we trudged back to the cabin, our laughter echoing through the crisp evening air. My two friends rushed upstairs to take a shower, but I had a minor crisis on my hands.
I needed to submit the graphics for a social media campaign slated to start on Monday morning, but it was after six o’clock in Montana, meaning it was after eight p.m. in Miami on a Sunday night.
There was absolutely zero chance that anyone on my marketing team would be working that late on a weekend, but I’d have to try to get a hold of someone. And then the marketing director would get an earful tomorrow morning for missing this critical deadline.
Muffled sounds of water running indicated that Liam and Bodhi had already started their showers. The cabin was spacious, and each bedroom had an en suite bathroom.
With both of my friends occupied, I was left in the main room to face my nemesis: marketing.
My laptop was in my room, so I ran upstairs and grabbed it before sitting down on the couch. With my laptop resting on the coffee table, I stared at the screen, hoping a solution would magically come to fruition.
After calling and texting everyone on my marketing team, I grunted in frustration. This project had cost my company at least six figures, and I couldn’t believe the graphics weren’t turned in to the agency on time.
I scowled at the screen, but my agitation grew with every unfruitful click.
My business sense was on point, and I had always been an early adapter and then a leader with technology. This was why my project management software company was so successful.
