“Oh my god, Mom,” Sloane said.
“You brought it up,” Adele said.
“What do you all plan to do while you’re here?” Nina asked.“Girls, I’m sure you have some Winter River attractions you want to share with your friends. Ice-skating at Bailey’s Pond, perhaps?”
“If we want to break an ankle,” Adele said.
“Maybe horseback riding,” Nina said.
“Oh god, I’m scared of horses,” Brighton said, the admission just popping out of her mouth. She hadn’t quite found solid ground since arriving in Winter River, very clearly evident by her immature behavior and loose lips.
Nina frowned. “Are you really, dear?”
Brighton glanced at Lola—couldn’t fucking help it, could she?—and Lola was looking right back. Except…she wasn’t. Her gaze was cold, impersonal, full of the politeness of simply paying attention to the speaker at a gathering like this.
“I am,” Brighton said. “Had a scary encounter with one when I was thirteen. Never got over it, I guess.”
“Hmm.” Nina tilted her head at Brighton. Then, more quietly, she said, “Could be a problem.”
Sloane lifted a brow. “Mother. What do you mean?”
Nina waved a hand. “I know! What about some cooking while you’re in town? I heard Wes Reynolds is giving some holiday cooking lessons down at his restaurant next week.”
“I actually really need to learn how to do more than heat up leftover takeaway,” Manish said.
“Perfect,” Nina said. “I’ll sign you up.”
“Mom,” Adele said. “Slow down.”
“We are not taking cooking lessons from Wes,” Sloane said.
“He’s still single,” Nina said casually, taking a sip of her wine. “And very handsome, if I may say. This chili is his recipe.”
Sloane frowned, stared down at her spoonful of chili.
“It’s delicious,” Brighton said, wanting to fill the space somehow, and maybe make up for Chiligate a few minutes ago.
“It is,” Nina said. “My best friend, Marisol, suggested adding cocoa powder to this batch.” She beamed at them for a second, then clapped her hands together once. “So, you’re going to Greenbriar Ridge this week to see your father, yes?”
“Of course, Mom,” Adele said. “Dad has us booked in the cabins with unlimited skiing.”
“I’d love to do some skiing,” Elle said.
“Excellent, Elle,” Nina said. “And what else do you like to do, my dear? Hiking? Crafts? What’s your favorite color?”
“Okay,” Sloane said, taking her napkin out of her lap and placing it on the table. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again—you’re up to something.”
Nina pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m just trying to make sure everyone has a great time.”
“We will,” Sloane said.
“We have a lot of rehearsing to do as well,” Lola said evenly.
Manish groaned.
“She’s not wrong, though,” Sloane said. “We all agreed. It was the only way I could get Charlotte on a plane, remember?”
Brighton glanced at Lola, who just smiled.
