Amusement shines in her eyes. “Why are you so jumpy? Are you busy?”
I glance at the boxes scattered at my feet. “Not really, no. Just stocking up because I have nothing else to do.”
“Great,” she chirps, catching on to my sarcasm with a chuckle. She then proceeds to grab my wrist and tug me toward the front desk. “I just need you for a sec.”
Slight panic flares through my veins, heating my body in a way I resent. I do my best not to show how I’m being affected by Diego’s sudden presence, only allowing a serene smile to touch my lips. Inwardly, though, I feel like my thundering heartbeat is pulsing against my temple, and there’s an uncanny feeling floating around my stomach.
“Why?” I ask Gaby, with an outward calm I’m not feeling.
She peers at me from over her shoulder, finally releasing myhand. “So, remember yesterday when I honked at you on Main Street?”
“Yes. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”
I smile at the memory, at how I jumped initially before waving enthusiastically when her car passed by me on my way to joining my mom at the nail salon.
“Well, I had just picked up someone from the airport.”
“Oh, yeah?” I play indifferent, when I’m anything but. Every step I take gets me closer to the guy I had the biggest crush on as a teenager. Every step brings back memories of his breathtaking smile, his contagious laugh, his infectious energy. “Who?”
Deep brown eyes rest on me as I join the small group huddled by the entrance. Diego Ramirez used to be a cute teenager with a vibrant personality, but as he scans me from head to toe without breaking his indecipherable expression, I can’t help but think he’s become ruggedly handsome. The kind of masculine beauty that makes your heart ache. The kind of savage beauty that warns you to stay away lest you get hurt.
Hands still buried in the pockets of his jeans, he’s the portrait of insouciance. His dark hair curls around his ears, and I notice the little silver hoop in his left lobe. Light, neatly trimmed scruff dusts over his perfect jawline, a subtle yet noticeable splash of rose touching his naturally tanned cheekbones. His eyes are his most intimidating features. They’re dark, with thick eyelashes – which I used to be thoroughly jealous of – framing them, and they’re studying me with interest.
He’s astonishingly tall. Broad. Imposing.
He exudes a crushing power, innately so, and I’m sure he’s not even aware of what he does to me.
I’m impressed at the way I let my smile pleasantly grow, just like I’d greet a customer, in lieu of blushing or making a fool of myself. I shoved my silly crush deep inside when he graduated and left town. Let go of all fantasies of being his one day when heannounced to his family he wasn’t coming back. But as we stare at each other as though the entire world has crumbled to dust, leaving just the two of us, I can’t help but wonder if that crush was only waiting to burst back to life the moment I laid my eyes on him again.
“Remember my brother?” Gaby asks, beaming.
I want to glare in her direction, as if to say:how could I not, G?,because if there was one person who loved to tease me about the very, very obvious crush I had on her brother, it was her.
So, why didn’t she warn me?
Because you were supposed to move on, my stupid, battered heart screams.
The real question is: does he rememberme?
I try to shake off the surprise, hoping I’ve been able to conceal my utter shock. I’m just destabilized. I nod, and as I attempt a wave, I drop the gloves I had been holding, but no one seems to notice. And I’m too stunned to pick them up. “Diego, right?”
He nods. That’s it, he simply nods. Doesn’t say a word, doesn’t move. There’s a tightness in his jaw as he darts his gaze around the place again, like he’s assessing the room, like he’s analyzing every corner, every item.
There is not a single soul in this town who doesn’t know or remember who Diego is. He’s a star around here. He’s worshiped, loved, admired. Being an Olympic champion doesn’t go unnoticed. Everyone knows he’s a snowboarding prodigy, and everyone knows about his recent injury.
“Diego is going to be home for the next couple of months, and he’s looking for a job,” Gaby informs me. “And maybe he could work here with you guys?”
Unable to hide my puzzlement, I lift my brows, and my gaze clashes with Diego’s again. That’s why he’s here? The last time I saw him – truly saw and spoke to him – was ages ago. He barely comes back for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and, when he does,he doesn’t make himself known or seen. Suddenly, he’s back home for more than a week?Months, even?
Shouldn’t he be focusing on his recovery?
Andwhyis he asking around for a job? As a sales assistant? At Rock Snow?
Honestly, I want to laugh.
This is a joke, right?
I’m only hallucinating because I haven’t had any coffee yet. Right?
