Though I’d planned on eating alone, it was a joy to be around the teens and I agreed, leaving Mayah to finish her fancy brew and head downstairs to reserve some seats. The breakfast buffet was already crowded, but fortunately, there were plenty of seats scattered in the back. I made a beeline for the area and took off my jacket and gloves while I waited. Only then did I look around.
To the left of me, I saw Timothy with two other men. Blake was not with them. Perhaps he slept in? I didn’t get to think about it too long before noticing Theo and Tara eating together in a booth to the right of me. Unfortunately, Theowas facing me. I kept catching his gaze unintentionally, and it made me feel sad—not for dating him, not for even wanting to marry him, but for the lies I was uncovering, and for the deceiving he did to both Tara and me. I wrestled in my mind if and how I could tell her without it destroying her day. I saw Tara take Theo by the hand and then they moved seats so my back would be to them.
“Good morning,” Blake’s voice rang loudly as his bright eyes scanned my face, taking the seat across from me. I felt Theo’s eyes on us instantly. “Would you like a coffee? I’m about to go get one.” He had a dusting of snow on his jacket, and to my surprise, he reached his hand out to hold mine, just as Tara had done to Theo.This dating may not be real, but it sure is fun, I thought.
“Absolutely. I’ll take a vanilla latte. Pretty please.”
He nodded and gave my hand a squeeze, standing up. His dark reddish hair was so striking on his olive skin; he really was quite good looking.
“You got it, Claire. By the way, you look beautiful.”
I felt my face redden at the compliment. Was this part of the act, or did he mean that? With no one around toenjoy the compliment other than myself, I decided he meant it.
“Thank you.” I smiled from ear to ear. I had never met a man who was so unapologetic or bold in his compliments. At risk of ruining the moment by comparing Blake to Theo, I cleared my mind from my ex and savored Blake’s words as the teenagers started shuffling in with Mickey and Tamara in tow. After everyone got their food, Blake returned with my coffee in hand.
“Good morning, guys.” Blake acknowledged the group as he handed me the cup while Mickey immediately went for a fist bump.
“What’s up, my man?” I was surprised at how friendly Mickey was with Blake already, considering Mickey barely spoke to Theo during our fourteen-month relationship. They exchanged platitudes, and I listened casually until Mickey’s question caught me off guard. “Was that you out there tearing it up this morning?”
My eyes widened. Was the early morning skier, Blake?
“Oh, yeah. I didn’t know I had an audience, man.” Blake laughed as Tamara piped up.
“Make that an audience of two.” Tamara waived her hand. “You must have gotten an early start this morning. How long did it take to hike up there?”
“About two hours. I started at four—just something I like to do now and then to get a little quiet time and clear my head. There’s no greater church in the world than God’s creation.”
If just watching him this morning was an experience, I wondered what it would have been like to ski that. Wait… What was happening? Was this a genuine desire to ski bubbling up inside of me?
“Well, I better go join my group. Claire, I will see you on the slopes?” His sudden attention on me with his attractive face made my mind go blank. One of the teenage girls kicked my leg under the table.
“Yes, of course. Enjoy your breakfast.” What a lame thing that was to say; did I work there or something? Blake nodded and went to join his group. When he was out of earshot, the girls started raving.
“He’s so cute, Claire!”
“What a hunk.”
“He’s a real stone fox.” Mickey’s comment made us all laugh hysterically. Though he said it sarcastically, I caught Tamara’s eyes a moment later, and she gave me a wink and thumbs up of approval. I felt a wave of guilt and sadness that it was all a ruse.
“Alright, everyone. Let’s finish things up. You all need to be in the gear room in ten minutes for the instructors. Parents? Who would like to lead a morning prayer?”
Changing the subject and chasing a sugar high from the pancakes, Vicki led us in prayer, and then I got up to get one more coffee before the day started. Part of me felt weird about this fake-dating scheme, but Blake had the free will to do as he pleased. And it was helping my loneliness in the wake of Theo also being there with his new girlfriend, so truthfully, I didn’t want it to end.
Later that morning, Trevor, my ski instructor in the tie-dye pants, was helping us with our stops when I saw Blake ski down in front of me. My attention was honed in on him when he disappeared inside the lodge, turning my attention back to the lesson.
“Claire, it’s your turn to try it out. Ski down a little way, pick up some speed, and try it.”
I went for it without hesitation. As I picked up a little speed, I abruptly pointed my skis sideways, using the edges to stop.
“Great job, Claire. Now let’s head to the lift so we can put it all together.”
The instructor was the first one to get to the lift, leaving the rest of us behind. He was standing in line directly behind Tara, and they ended up sharing the same chair. I looked around, expecting to see Theo somewhere, but he was nowhere to be found. Instead, I saw Blake coming over.
“Hey, Claire. Are you up for taking a run with me?”
“Sure, if a ski pro like you doesn’t mind that I’m working on my turns and stops,” I teased.
He leaned into his poles, looking over at me. “I think it’s amazing you’re learning to ski, Claire,” he smiled. “And there was something I wanted to ask you.” We loaded onto the two-seater chair lift, and as we gained elevation, I turned and asked him what that was. “My parents are arriving in town today, and I was wondering if you would like to join us for dinner tomorrow night? If you’re even able to, with your plans and all. It would be at seven, if you can.”
