Chapter seven
Daphne
Worthless.Thatwordinparticular cuts deep.
“He doesn’t mean it, the—”
“Stress of the wedding? Listen, unless you guys are doing some kind of circus act during your ceremony…there’s no reason why it should be affecting him so much. I think he’s just such adick.”
I can tell right whendickleaves his mouth, he knows he’s gone too far. I’m not sure what to say, because I like that he’s sticking up for me, but it feels weird to root against the man I’ve put all my hopes and dreams into. So instead, I sit on the wooden bench at the base of the bunny hill and click my skis onto my boots. The silence is awkward and heavy before he apologizes.
“I’m sorry, I think I just hate to see him treat you like that.”
“It’s okay. It’s funny that you say worthless though, because that’s how I felt until we met each other,” I mutter, and it’s not a lie.
“How did you two even meet? You both seem like you’re from very different worlds.” He lifts me onto the conveyor belt of mynightmares as I hesitate to figure out the best way to get on without nearly falling on my face like last time.
Different worlds. I wonder if he clocked my white trash background the second he saw me, or if he’s just now figuring it out. The name Daphne isn’t the most common one, but before the drugs got their talons too deep into Mom, I’d like to think she wanted better for me than to be the smartest girl in our Podunk town.
“Well, Gerald was my ethics professor back when I was in school.” There’s no use lying about it now, for as much as we tried to keep it a secret last year, before our relationship was made public by one of his students with a grudge—something about them not liking their final grade.
“Dating a student doesn’t seem very ethical to me.” Andri’s white brow arches on his blue face.
“Former student,” I correct. Dropping out solved at least one of the problems for Gerald and me.
“So you graduated and connected after? What’s your degree in?” Even though he’s prying, he’s also been incredibly kind by offering to teach me how to ski.
“I dropped out, you know, to save us the scandal. I’m hoping to finish my studies once the wedding is over, maybe at a community college? I planned on getting my degree in history, for what it’s worth.”
“You left school to saveyou boththe scandal? I think that rests firmly on his shoulders. I’m sorry you had to do that.” He looks sad and flabbergasted all at the same time. I don’t tell him I forfeited my scholarship too.
I’m quiet. It’s been a while since anyone told me they were sorry—it feels strange.
We reach the end of the conveyor, and he lifts me up, walks me over to the closest bench, and sits me down. He kneels, checkingthat my boots are secure before looking me directly in the eyes. His brown eyes are beacons of warmth in the cold.
“Listen, you know what I think about Gerald. I’m gonna stop the digs. I can tell it makes you feel uncomfortable. And I’m sorry about last night too. I think I just got taken off guard by how beautiful you are—”
That snaps me out of my haze.
“You think I’m beautiful?” My chest tightens.
“Of course, I’m not blind.” He laughs as he pops a helmet over my head. “Come on, let’s get on with this lesson, shall we?” Andri whispers as he clicks the chin strap to my helmet and lowers the goggles over my eyes. My heart skips a beat.
His hands, his breath, his damn fur are all just so fucking warm. I feel that same warmth again in my belly that I did last night, and I have no idea what to do about it.
God, there’s nothing to do about it, Daphne. You’re engaged!
Even though Gerald has his faults, he could have dumped me just like my family did. But despite it all, the risk of losing his career and his family's approval, he stuck with me. I owe him a little loyalty, he didn’t have to choose me. Nan even said that I might be good for him, teach him how to be more humble.
I stand unsteadily and attempt to slide my skis in a somewhat graceful manner to follow him. My poles clink together as I attempt to untangle them. When Andri turns to look at me, he cracks a fang-bearing smile.
“You know, for taking a guess on your pole size, I think I did a pretty good job.” He doubles back and puts his hands on my shoulders. “They should come right up to the armpits, and that’s where they are.”
Andri rights the poles, setting the tips evenly on each side of my body in the powdery snow.
“Now, you’re going to want to keep your knees slightly bent, hips over feet, and shoulders relaxed.” With each instruction, heplaces those big hands on my body. Knees, hips, and shoulders. He’s huge but so gentle.
As I’m adjusted, I suddenly feel less stiff and unsteady.
