Monday, December 23rd
The gondola swayed gently as it climbed toward the summit of Crown Peak, carrying Zuri, Soleil, and Thao through air so crisp it almost hurt to breathe. They’d risen early, determined to squeeze in as many runs as possible on their last full day in Granite Falls. Avery had remained at the main lodge, nestled in front of the massive stone fireplace, her nose buried in the latest highlander romance by her favorite author, Kira Levesque.
Across from Zuri, with Thao next to her, Soleil, in her all-white jacket, pants, and helmet, held up her phone, recording for her vlog. “…and look, I know I’m going to catch hate for this, but the Carboni Gorge at Big Boy’s yesterday was possibly the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life. I’m tellin’ you, that prosciutto, and the caramelized leeks?—”
“And the mozzarella,” Thao interjected, leaning into frame in her bright blue, pink, and yellow, 90s retro ski suit, her matching helmet gently knocking into Soleil’s as she licked her lips in exaggerated bliss.
“Oh my god, the mozzarella! I swear they must have flown it in from Naples that morning. If you come to Granite Falls, you have to go––”
Their voices faded into white noise as Zuri turned toward the window. Her reflection––bold crimson against the glass––stared back at her, but she looked past it. New Hampshire’s White Mountains and hills stretched beyond the valley, peak after peak frosted white against a brilliant blue sky. Below, the resort spread out like a winter postcard—ski runs carved into the mountainside, tiny figures weaving down trails, and the main lodge looking small enough to fit in her palm. This view should have stolen her breath away…
But it had already been stolen last night, and was still trapped somewhere between Kyree’s lips and their earth-shattering kiss.
God, that kiss.
Even now, hours later, she could feel the phantom press of his mouth, the way he’d tasted like peppermint and chocolate, the groan that had vibrated against her lips and shot down her spine like lightning… The memory alone was electrifying, and made her thighs clench in her red ski pants.
She’d wanted him. Wanted to drag him somewhere private and feel his hands on her bare skin, wanted to arch against him and hear her name on his lips in the dark. Wanted to make love until the sun came up and reality crashed back in. But where would they have gone? She shared a room with Soleil and privacy was impossible at Kyree’s cousin’s house. There was nowhere to disappear to at that hour, nowhere to surrender to the desire that burned between them.
She now knew it was unreasonable to expect him to rent a room for the night––his priorities were set, and noble, and she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his financial goals. And though she could afford to foot the bill, it was the night before Christmas Eve in the most picturesque mountain town in New England––it would have been impossible to find a vacancy. Besides, Kyree hadn’t had the time anyway. He’d promised to help his cousin with last-minute arrangements for her family’s annual holiday party tonight.
Michelle had graciously extended an invitation to Zuri and her girls. “There’s going to be a ton of people––friends, neighbors, business acquaintances,” he’d said when he called early this morning, his voice still rough with sleep. “You won’t be an imposition at all.”
While getting ready this morning, Soleil had combed social media for photos of the LaCrosse’s parties from previous years, and found posts beneath crystal chandeliers, with designer gowns and champagne towers. They’d known immediately that they needed something glamorous to wear, and Soleil had taken advantage of her connections in the fashion industry to get them all gorgeous evening dresses from Bergdorf Goodman. A short, draped, silky blue number for Avery. A bright green, body-hugging floor length gown for Thao. A gold brocade, mid-length dress with a sexy, crossed halter neckline for Soleil. And for Zuri, a floor-length, silver sequined gown, with a large matching bow draped across the strapless neckline.
“I want to look like Kyree’s Christmas present,” she’d said over breakfast as they’d scrolled through the options Soleil’s connection at Bergdorf had sent via email.
Everything was due to arrive from New York around three this afternoon via the department store’s concierge service, along with shoes, accessories, and a seamstress to make any necessary alterations.
She couldn’t wait to slip into that silver dress, and she prayed they would find a moment for Kyree to unwrap her. She imagined his fingers finding the hidden zipper, the sequins catching the dimmed bedroom light as the dress pooled at her feet…
“Helloooo, Earth to Zuri.”
Zuri blinked as fingers snapped in front of her face. She turned to find both Soleil and Thao giving her the synchronized scrutiny of two best friends. “Sorry, what?”
“Girl, where is your head?” Soleil asked.
Thao laughed. “As if you don’t know.”
Zuri smiled sheepishly.
Soleil lowered her phone, abandoning the vlog. “You’re still thinking about that kiss, aren’t you?”
“I love how you’re acting like you guys didn’t already sleep together.” Thao pulled off her right glove, unzipped her breast pocket, and retrieved her cherry lip balm. “Or wait, did you do it like in Pretty Woman with no kissing on the lips?”
“No,” Zuri drawled. “Of course we kissed, but it was different last night… Like it was the first time, but also like the hundredth time…” She couldn’t stop the dreamy, love-drunk smile from spreading across her face. Heat blossomed in her belly as she remembered Kyree’s hands searching beneath the blanket last night, circling her waist and pulling her against him––possessive and tender in the same moment.
“Hold on.” Thao narrowed her eyes as she popped open her lip balm. “I thought this was just a little fling to get back in the game, but it sounds to me like you’re catching feelings for this guy.”
“So what if I am?” Zuri’s voice came out sharper than she intended. Why was she being defensive about the truth, anyway?
“There’s no judgement here.” Thao put her hands up in defense. “I just want to make sure you’re not confusing lust for love.”
Zuri glanced out the window. She had wondered the same thing as she’d fallen asleep last night. Maybe her brain really was confusing desires of the flesh for those of the heart. After all, it had been more than a year since she’d been with anyone. But then again, there was that kiss…
The kiss that had made her feel like she was falling and flying simultaneously. The kiss that had left her shaking with desire. This wasn’t just her body waking up after a long sleep. This was her heart learning what it felt like to beat for someone else. She looked back at her friends, waiting with patience for a response. “Honestly? I don’t know what it is, but did I say anything about love?”
“No, but that look on your face does.” Thao smoothed her beeswax balm over her lips with conviction.
