Emily appears rounding a corner and visibly lights up. "So?" She thrusts her chin forward, eyes wide with anticipation. "How was the heli-skiing? Was it amazing? Was Charlie terrified? Please tell me you got a video of her screaming like a baby."
Charlie's eyes roll toward the ceiling. "I did not scream."
"Much," I add, which earns me a quick slap against my bicep.
"It was incredible," Charlie says, her fingers already dancing across her phone screen. "Look at these views."
She leans in closer to her father and sister, thumb swiping through photo after photo. Her voice lifts higher with each new image, cheeks flushing slightly. "The helicopter ride alone was worth it, but then we got to this completely untouched powder, and Bash was amazing—you should have seen him. And Mack, our guide, was the absolute best."
"We're definitely doing it again next year," she adds, her gaze still fixed on the glowing screen.
My heart stumbles mid-beat. Next year? The words echo in my mind like a question without an answer. What will next year even bring? Will we actually be together by then, or will she expect me to maintain this elaborate performance for another family vacation?
My feelings are getting tangled. Does she want me—really want me? That kiss, even though it was a bet, she initiated it after our race and it made me feel like she wants more, but then she says things that remind me this is fake.
Addie comes bounding down the stairs, her camera still around her neck. "Uncle Bash, can you show me around outside? I want to get some shots before the light changes."
"Sure thing, squirt."
Charlie smiles. "I'll help your sister get settled."
Outside on the deck, Addie immediately starts framing shots of the mountains, the snow-laden trees, the golden afternoon light on the white landscape. I watch her work, impressed by her focus.
"You're getting really good at this, kid."
She shrugs but looks pleased. "I got into the advanced photography program at school."
"That's awesome." I say as we head for the stairs to take us down the open back yard.
"So," she says, adjusting her lens, "Charlie seems pretty cool."
I smile. "Yeah, she is."
"And pretty." She snaps a few shots of a pine branch heavy with snow. "Mom says you're weird when it comes to girls and introductions."
"Your mom talks too much."
"She's right though." Addie lowers her camera, fixing me with a direct look that reminds me so much of Sarah at her age. It's uncanny. "Is it serious? With Charlie?"
I hesitate. "Like I told your mom it's...complicated."
"That's what people say when they're afraid to admit how they feel."
I laugh. "When did you get so wise?"
"I listen to a lot of podcasts. You learn a lot about human psychology if you listen to the right ones."
"Not sure that's the best source."
She rolls her eyes. "Whatever. I can tell you really like her."
"Yeah," I admit. "I do."
"Mom's doing really good, by the way," she says, changing subjects with the abruptness of a teenager. "She loves her job, loves that I'm getting good grades, and she's even dating some banker named James."
"A banker? Really?"
"He's nice. Boring, but nice."
