Page 17 of On the Slopes of Tahoe
“Thanks, Daddy! It was fun!”
“I’m so glad. You’re amazing.” He presses his lips into her hair before setting her feet back on the floor. In the next moment, I find myself enveloped in a similar hug, one that pulls me slightly off my feet as well. Strong arms and a firm chest surround me, along with a scent that’s all snow and spice. The whispered “thank you” against the shell of my ear has a shiver running down my spine.
“You’re welcome,” I whisper, and I mean it.
He lets go, taking just one step back, and my breath gets caught in my lungs. I can’t seem to let it out. There’s so much feeling in his face—gratitude and appreciation, with a hint of something I can’t place underneath. The second stretches and I can’t look away, don’t want to look away.
“Daddy!” Willow pops up between us. “Where’s my hot chocolate?”
Breck chuckles and reaches to undo the clasp on her helmet. “I figured I’d get it as soon as you finished so it wouldn’t get cold. I’ll be right back.”
Willow and I strip out of our gear, setting it by the fire to dry. We’re just settling in when Breck comes back with two steaming cups of cocoa, a basket of french fries, and chicken tenders.
“I thought you both deserved a snack after all that hard work.”
Willow squeals and tucks into the fries with abandon. I shake my head, biting back a smile, and reach over to grab a few myself.
“Thanks for this. I’m glad I decided to work here today instead of in the office.”
“Me too,” Breck says.
He sits across from me and, when I look up from the food, I blush under his gaze. The attraction that’s always been there for me burns anew under it, and I struggle to break its hold. All these years I never thought much of it—he lived in Australia, he was Wes’s best friend, he was with Talia, he had Willow. I was just a woman appreciating a man, that’s all.
My phone vibrates across the table with a video call from Wes, snapping our connection. I reach for it, swiping without a thought for where we are. I never skip out on a call from my brother. Ever.
“Hey, Wessy,” I say with a mischievous smile, and he nearly growls at me. He hates when I call him that, but I don’t care even one little bit. I laugh and flip the camera toward Breck.
“Hi. ‘Wessy,’ was it?” Breck says, his accent wrapping around the word, and I burst out laughing. Wes’s groan through the line only makes it worse, making me snort.
“No. You donotget to call me that. Take it back,” he barks at his friend.
“Ooohhh, can I call you Uncle Wessy? Please!” Willow’s signature giggle joins the fray, putting me in stitches. He’s going to be so mad at me for this.
“No, you absolutely cannot,” he says firmly, but with the way he’s smiling, it doesn’t sound like he means it. “Only Rory gets to call me that, and I may need to revoke her privileges.”
“Impossible. I’d like to see you try.” I flip the camera back to myself then stand and move around behind Breck and Willow, leaning my phone against my water bottle.
“You’re the worst.” He pouts and scrunches his eyebrows. “I’m rethinking my call now. I don’t know if you deserve to hear my exciting news.”
I stop laughing, my interest piqued. Exciting news? He and Joss are already coming in a couple weeks, what could be more exciting than that?
“Did you get a job offer?” I ask. He was working for Breck in Sydney as a skydive pilot, but when Breck—and Talia and their business partner Drew—sold the business last month, he decided to put in applications for the airlines. He’s been hoping for Qantas, the same airline Joss works for as a flight attendant.
“No, the interview is next week.” He’s toying with me now. Giving me nothing.
“Tell me now, brother, or I’m getting out the baby books to show Breck and Willow.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he seethes.
“Wouldn’t I?” I lift a brow, daring him to contradict me.
“No, don’t tell her,” Breck interjects. “I want to see Baby Wessy.”
Wes glares at his friend and huffs. “Y’all are the worst,” he mumbles. “But I’m actually glad you’re together right now.” He smiles wide, dimples popping behind his soft beard, blue eyes bright with excitement. “I’m going to propose to Joss.”
He holds a ring box in front of the screen and pops the lid. My gasp is nothing next to the little scream Willow lets out.
“Uncle Wessy, that’s so pretty! I want one!” This draws a laugh out of Breck, and all of us join in.
