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She’s shuffling her feet, hopping up and down in an attempt to keep warm. At the sound of my voice, her head pops up, recognition dawning on her face.
“Oh. Um, hi.” She shoots me an awkward half-wave with one hand, the other clutching at her towel for dear life. “So, this is embarrassing—”
Hot pink blotches stain her cheeks and I bite down on my lip, holding back a smile.
“I’m renting next door,” she tips her head to the right, “and I was in the hot tub. I went back in for a sec, then back outside again, and next thing you know, I locked myself out of the house.”
She gnaws at the corner of her mouth and I can’t stop staring at her full lips.
“Bummer.” I shove my hand in my pocket and stare at her. She squirms under my gaze, pulling the towel around her even tighter.
“Any chance you have a spare key to your neighbor’s house?” She bats her lashes at me, just like she did back at the general store. I’ll give her credit— she does have beguiling eyes, wide and steel blue.
“Sorry, no spare key. I don’t know them that well. I’m not a full-time resident here, and neither are they. Obviously.”
She fiddles with the edge of the towel, thinking. “Maybe I could use your cell to call the rental company and get the code?”
“Should we play rock paper scissors for my phone?”
She sighs and shakes her head. “Not sure I can risk losing. Look, I’ll pay you. I just need to get the code, then I’ll leave you to your night.”
I step aside, waving her in. “Come in before you freeze to death. I’m Jack, by the way.”
Visibly relaxing, she hurries in from the cold and I shut the door behind her.
“Ashton. Thanks for your help.”
I shrug. “I can’t exactly say no, can I?”
She flushes, pink climbing up her neck. I head toward the den and she shuffles behind me, her flip-flops thwacking on the knotty pine floor.
“Sit tight, my phone’s charging in the bedroom. I’ll be right back.” I dash up the stairs and grab my cell, disconnecting it from the charger. The sooner I can get her the code, the sooner I’ll be alone again. Although it’s kinda fun watching her blush and squirm…
Two minutes later, I’m back downstairs with my cell. I hand it to her, our fingertips brushing, and we both freeze. Recovering quickly, she takes the phone, her towel opening a fraction of an inch. I catch a quick glance of a black bikini and a whole lot of skin, but she repositions, pulling the towel closed.
“Your phone’s locked.”
“Oh. Right.” I tap at the screen, unlocking it, and hand it back to her.
“Um…” She bites at her lip. “Does Spruce Ridge Rentals sound familiar to you?”
My brow furrows and I cross my arms over my chest, amused. “I have no idea. I’m unfamiliar with the rental companies because I don’t rent out my place.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t know who you rented from?”
“It was a holiday gift. From my brother and best friend.” Tears shimmer in her eyes and now I feel like an asshole.
“Take a deep breath. We’ll get this worked out. Here.” I hold out my hand, taking the phone back from her. Then I do a quick search of local vacation rental companies.
“Do any of these look familiar to you?” I show her the list of companies, and her eyes trail down the long list. Spruce Ridge is a very popular ski destination and the rental market’s huge.
“I think it’s that one.” She points at Ridge Rentals and I hit the link, taking her to the website.
“Here’s the number, give them a call.”
Ashton dials, crossing her ankles and leaning against the island. I can hear the loud rings trilling through the speaker, then the tinny automated message: “Sorry we missed your call. Please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
