We round the corner to a small outbuilding with "Mountain Rush Snowmobile Tours" painted in bold red letters across the front. A row of gleaming machines sits outside, their engines silent but promising adventure.
A woman with a bright blue beanie and a clipboard waves as we approach. "Welcome to Mountain Rush! I'm Shaylee, your guide for today." Her enthusiastic greeting falters as her eyes land on Bash. "Wait—are you Sebastian Montgomery?"
Bash shifts beside me, his smile turning slightly stiff. "That's me."
Shaylee's professional demeanor dissolves. "Oh my god. I used to watch all your competitions! That backside 1440 in the X Games finals? I still have the poster!" She fumbles in her pocket and produces a pen. "Would you mind? I know this is totally unprofessional, but—"
"It's fine," Bash says, taking the pen with a gracious smile. He signs the back of her clipboard while I watch, fascinated by this glimpse of his former life.
Shaylee seems to remember herself and takes a step back. "I'm so sorry. That was completely inappropriate. Please forget that happened."
"Nothing to apologize for," Bash assures her. "It's always nice to meet a fan."
"Wow," Emily stage-whispers to me. "You're fake-dating a celebrity. Talk about punching above your weight class."
I elbow her sharply, but Bash just laughs and slides his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
"Not fake," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple that sends warmth spiraling through my chest despite the cold.
Shaylee watches the exchange with a delighted expression. "You two are adorable together." She claps her hands. "Okay! Who's ready for some snowmobile fun?"
"Born ready," Emily declares, already eyeing the machines like she wants to race one off a cliff.
We follow Shaylee toward a row of snowmobiles, and I notice her sneaking glances at Bash. Not flirtatious ones—more like she can't believe a sports legend is in her tour group.
"So, you really were famous?" I ask quietly.
He shrugs. "For about fifteen minutes in a very niche sport."
"Don't let him fool you," Shaylee calls over her shoulder. "He was the future of freestyle snowboarding before..." She trails off, seeming to realize she's overstepped.
"Before I blew out my knee and ended my career," He finishes for her, his tone light but with an undercurrent I recognize now.
I squeeze his hand. "Their loss is my marketing department's gain."
His smile reaches his eyes this time. "Damn right."
As we approach the line of waiting snowmobiles, I spot a familiar couple standing in the ski lift line across the way. Ethan and Olivia, looking miserable together in matching designer ski wear. Olivia notices me first, her perfectly Botoxed face contorting into a glare that could freeze hell.
Bash follows my gaze and tightens his arm around me. Without hesitation, he presses a kiss to the top of my head. I glance back at Ethan just in time to catch him shooting daggers at Bash.
"Problem?" Bash whispers, and I realize he saw Ethan's look too.
"Nope." I turn into him, rising on my tiptoes to kiss him properly. "No problems at all."
The snowmobiles are sleek machines with comfortable seats and heated handgrips. Shaylee walks us through the safety instructions and controls, paying special attention to Emily, who keeps revving her engine impatiently.
"One more time," Shaylee says firmly. "What's the most important rule?"
"Stay on the marked trail," we chorus dutifully.
"And?"
"No showboating," Emily adds with obvious disappointment.
"That means you too, Mr. X Games," Shaylee says to Bash with a grin.
He holds up his hands. "I'll be a perfect gentleman."
