"That wasn’t professional. That was interested." Joelle appears on my other side. "You're booking those lessons, right?"
"I don't know—"
"You're booking them." Madison links her arm through mine. "Come on. Front desk. Now."
I let them propel me forward, my mind still spinning. He looked at me. Really looked at me. And unless I'm delusional, there was something in that look. Something warm and aware and focused.
Something that made me feel, for the first time in as long as I can remember, visible.
At the front desk, I book two private lessons. One tomorrow morning, one the day after. The clerk confirms them and hands me a receipt.
"You're all set with Nick for nine a.m. tomorrow."
Nick. Nine a.m. Tomorrow.
I fold the receipt and slip it into my pocket, trying to ignore the way my hands are shaking.
This is probably nothing. Just a professional instructor being friendly to a nervous beginner. My imagination runs wild because I want to believe someone like him could see someone like me.
But as we head to dinner and I glance across the dining hall, Nick’s eyes find mine again. This time I don't look away. I hold his gaze for three heartbeats before he nods, an almost-smile playing at his lips.
And I think—maybe just this once—I'm not invisible at all.
Chapter 2
Nick
I check the schedule for the third time this morning, which is ridiculous. I already know who's booked for my nine a.m. private lesson.
Daria.
The woman from last night, whom I couldn't stop looking at during orientation. The one with dark curls escaping a messy bun, wearing a green thermal that hugged curves I have no business salivating over. The one who blushed when I talked to her and looked at me like she couldn't quite believe I was real.
I scrub a hand over my face. This is unprofessional. She's a retreat guest. I'm staff. There are boundaries for a reason.
Except I can't get her out of my head.
"You good, man?" Devon leans against the equipment room doorway, coffee in hand. He works at the resort bar and has an annoying habit of reading people too well.
"Fine. Just checking lessons."
"Right." He takes a long sip. "That's why you're staring at that clipboard like it insulted your mother?"
"Don't you have bottles to stock?"
"Already done. Unlike some people, I'm efficient." He grins. "So who's the lesson with?"
"Guest named Daria. Beginner."
"Ah." Devon's grin widens. "The curvy brunette you couldn't stop eyeing last night?"
I shoot him a look. "I wasn't—"
"You were. Pretty obvious."
Shit. If Devon noticed, others did too. That's what I don't need—gossip about my showing interest in a guest. Kelly already sent a staff memo about maintaining professional boundaries during her retreat week.
"It's a lesson, Dev. That's all."
