I pulled out the camera from my bag. “Can you fix this?”
She snatched it from my hands and turned it over. “A camera? Since when do you care about taking photos?”
I cleared my throat. “It’s actually not mine.”
She hummed in understanding. “Ah, so your girlfriend broke her camera?”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I replied. Not yet at least.
Bridget rolled her eyes. “Your fuck buddy? Friend with benefits? Fling?” She looked at me, and I probably looked annoyed. “Fine, whatever. Do you know what happened to it?”
“It fell in the pond.”
She raised her eyebrow. “Let me take a look. If the damage isn’t too bad, I may be able to repair it.”
“Thanks. If you could drop it at the house when you’re done, I would really appreciate it. I gotta run now. Love you!”
I turned and left her room. I was on a mission and couldn’t be distracted.
As I went through the kitchen, my mother handed me an egg muffin and an apple, which I ate as I drove to my next location.
I made my way into town to Main Street Bodega to grab a few things before heading out to the city. I wanted some snacks for the road.
I grabbed everything I needed, and Betsy scanned all my items.
“Going on a trip?” she asked.
I nodded. “To the city to see someone.”
“That’s nice. You know, I heard there was a girl from the city who drove up to the ski lodge last night. It’s weird for tourists to go up there now. And an odd time to do it too.”
I paused at what she said. “What does the girl look like?”
“Hm… Lerana said short, dark hair, cute face, but definitely from the city. She’d served her a few times since she’s been here.”
That was Sydney. That was where she had gone last night.
She hadn’t left yet.
“Thanks,” I said.
Betsy looked confused, but I quickly paid and hopped in my truck, heading up the hill toward the ski lodge.
Chapter twenty-four
Sydney
I zipped my suitcasebefore making sure I wasn’t leaving anything behind. After what happened with Preston, I realized I’d done all I could here. Staying would only make everything worse.
So I planned to go over to the inn and tell Matilda I was going back early. I was sure she would find another way to make it to the city—if she even wanted to, that is. I hadn’t really checked on her and on her dating situation with Brooks’s grandfather.
Checking the time, I knew I should get going. Part of me thought about going to get the camera from Brooks’s house before I left, but it was broken anyway, and facing him just didn’t feel like an option. The hurt on his face was seared into my brain, and I couldn’t see it again. I had to go.
I was stacking my backpack on top of my roller when there was a knock at the door. It was still plenty early, so it shouldn’t be housekeeping.
As I opened it, my mouth fell open.
Brooks looked perfect, his blond curls shining on his head and his worn hat in his hand. He looked tired, but his eyes were no longer sad—there was a light in them today, and it looked good with the slight crinkle in the corner from how much he smiled.
