Herein lies the problem.
“How about that taco place we stopped at the last time we came out here?” I suggest.
“Sounds good to me.”
Anything would sound good to Liam so long as he doesn’t have to make a decision.
I pull into what is actually a decently sized restaurant, despite its name carrying the titleshack, about an hour later.
As soon as we enter, Liam wanders off to find a table, leaving me to place his order. It didn’t require a conversation, because it never does. Liam’s default setting when we’re together is to let me make all the choices. I’ve never been able to figure out if it’s because he truly doesn’t care or if he’s afraid of choosing something he won’t like. Mostly, though, I think it’s because he doesn’t know what he wants, and that rings true in just about every aspect of his life.
When our tacos are delivered, Liam rubs his hands together and then pulls back one of the shells slightly to see what I chose.
“No onions,” I say with a smile.
He narrows his eyes in a teasing manner, and I already know what’s coming next. My stomach tightens as the familiar words fall from his lips.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, right?”
“No, Li. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Except for the part where Iamlying because I’ve led Liam to believe I’m straight, and that I’m not interested in a relationship because I’m married to my job.
In reality, I’m in love withhim,and I can never tell him because I can’t risk losing him.
Chapter 2
Liam
Ifling open the door to our slopeside chalet, anddamnit feels good to be back up here at Ricochet Ridge.
Damon brings me up here every January. And I say Damon ‘brings me’because my best friend is loaded…and I am not. Hell, I can barely afford the rent for my shitty apartment back in Boston.
I quickly move about the space, taking in the hardwood floors, the pine walls and ceiling, the giant stone fireplace, and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking our private access to the slopes. This place is a serious upgrade from last year’s condo.
“Oh, shit! Look, D!” I call to Damon, who’s coming in the door behind me at a much slower and more dignified pace. “Check out that hot tub! How many girls do you think we can fit in there? Four? Five?”
Damon’s brows furrow. “Li,pleasedon’t blow your load in the hot tub on our first day, because if you do, I won’t get in it, and two weeks is a really long time to be on a mountain in the winter andnotsoak in the hot tub.”
I bark out a laugh.
“Fine. But just so you know, it’s probably gonna happen at some point,” I inform him.
Moving down the hallway, I swear I hear Damon mutter, “Lord, help me,” and I can’t help but laugh again.
He knows my ways.
Damon is a great wingman. Totally selfless. He always flushes the super-hot chicks toward me, building me up, and making me sound way fucking cooler than I really am. If I had a dating app profile, I’d hire Damon to write it. The craziest part is that I think he actually believes the shit he spouts about me.
That’s part of the reason it’s my mission on this trip to help him get laid. God only knows how long it’s been. If I don’t encourage him, he’ll divide his time between the slopes and his laptop, totally missing out on all the ski-bunny action.
I throw my bag into the first room I come to. I’m not picky. As long as it has a bed, I’m good with it. Besides, it’s impossible to go wrong in a place like this. It’s cozy with stunning views, and for the next fourteen days, it’s just me and D.
Despite the fancy dresser and hangers in the closet, I’ll mostly live out of my suitcase, so ‘unpacking’ only consists of throwing my toiletries in the bathroom and plugging in my phone charger. As soon as all that’s done, I go in search of Damon, finding him in the back bedroom, two doors down from mine. This house is way bigger than necessary for just the two of us, but that’s D for you. He’s got money, and he isn’t afraid to spend it. Especially when it comes to me.
Ohmygod, D is my sugar daddy.
A laugh tears from my throat at the hilarious thought. It’d probably weird me out if it were anyone else. But Damon? Nah. We’re just like that.
