The lies roll off my tongue more easily these days, even though the taste they leave behind is more bitter than ever. Most people have stopped trying to convince me to leave Derek, and although I can’t, I took some comfort in feeling likepeople were in my corner. But I guess you can only expect them tostayin your corner if you’re willing to fight for yourself.
Her eyes scan my face like a heat-seeking missile, as if she can see the bruises on my neck through the many layers of fabric.
Eventually, she just nods.
I should be relieved that she’s not giving me her usual rant about my and Derek’s relationship, but her silence feels worse. Like she, too, finally realizes I’m a lost cause. While her nagging is exhausting and it makes me feel terrible about myself, it also lets me know she cares.
“You, uh, have any plans for Christmas?” I ask, feebly attempting small talk about the upcoming holiday.
“Yeah, actually. Kate and I are going to her parents’ house in Georgia this year,” she says, sadness tinging her tone.
“Is that a bad thing?” I ask, confused because Rebecca and Kate have the healthiest relationship I’ve ever seen. They started as best friends, both dating guys at the time, then Rebecca’s boyfriend broke up with her, and Kate was there every second, helping her pick up the pieces, until they both realized they loved each other more than anyone else.
“No, not at all.” Rebecca stares out the window at the view beyond the glass. There’s more snow in the forecast. Finally, she sighs. “I just hate that you’re going to be here alone.”
“Becs, how many times do I have to tell you? You don’t have to worry about me.”
She rolls her eyes.
“I mean, you can tell me as many times as you want, Zeke, but that’s not really how it works, and it’s definitely not going to change the fact that Idoworry about you.” Feeling the hopelessness creeping in, she changes the subject. “Don’t forget, we have that new guy starting today. Can you show him the ropes?Victoria told me he’s being trained in all the positions as some kind of float employee or something.”
Victoria is our head boss. The hospitality manager here at the resort. She rarely makes an appearance at the restaurant since her office is in the admin building at the base of the mountain, but she graces us with her presence every now and then.
“Oh, yeah, sure,” I agree easily. “You know I’ll do whatever you need me to.”
“Except leave Derek,” she fires back immediately.Guess she couldn’t stay silent that long.
“Becs,” I sigh. “Could we not do this today?”
I’m just not in the mood to deal with my reality. Especially because I know that if I don’t want a repeat performance tonight, I need to try to repair whatever damage I unknowingly causedlastnight.
I shoot Derek another apology text as I make my way to the host stand and start my day.
Chapter 3
Talon
New York is cold, but standing on the summit of a twelve-thousand-foot mountain in December is next level. Especially because it’s above the tree line, and there’s nothing here to block the wind.
Upon exiting the gondola, my breath is stolen at the architectural wet dream sitting atop this mountain. The wood, glass, and stone structure looms ahead, the only safe haven against the elements.
During a meeting with my upper-level administration staff this morning, I got some encouraging reports about the projected success of Ricochet’s season, but afterward, I quickly replaced my suit jacket with a black Ricochet Ridge button-down, the standard uniform for the waiters in the restaurant.
As soon as I devised the plan for this undercover operation, I began letting my hair grow out, hoping the unkempt look would help me appear younger than I actually am. Moreski bum, lessboardroom billionaire.
Bracing against the wind, I move forward toward the host’s stand.
“You must be the new hire we’re expecting today,” the guy says in a no-nonsense tone.
He’s bundled in a down parka with the resort’s logo on it. It’s currently eleven degrees up here, and I’m unsure how his wire-rimmed glasses haven’t yet frozen to his prominent cheeks.
The cold makes it look like he’s wearing blush, and his eyelashes are impressively long behind his lenses as they fan out over brilliant blue eyes.
His features are striking.
He’s standing beneath a tower heater with a stack of papers on the wooden host stand, and an iPad placed on top of them, no doubt to prevent the wind from absconding with them.
“Talon, right?” he asks with a tight smile this time, his eyes quickly flashing to mine before looking back down again.
