The Best Of The Year - Medical Romance. Carol Marinelli
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picked up her chocolate and took a long sip. “Ah. Just what I needed. Something to keep me warm and happy.” Before he could dwell too long on those words, she continued. “So where are you from?”
Four years ago that would have been an easy question to answer. He would have asked whether she meant originally or at the moment. As it was, he wasn’t sure of his actual location. Halfway between anger and grief, if he had to guess, a place he’d been stuck at for far too long. “California, originally, but I live in Texas now. And you?”
“Silver Pass. Born and raised right here on the mountain.” She raised her mug and took another drink.
So why didn’t she seem thrilled to live in a gorgeous place like this? He took a gulp of his own hot chocolate and then sputtered when an unexpected burn slid down his throat.
“Hot?” She gave him a grin that could only be described as mischievous.
“No. Spiked.” His brows drew together. “How do you know I’m not an alcoholic?”
“Are you?”
He could have been, but a couple of years ago he’d realized drinking was not only not helping him but it could get someone hurt. His team relied on him to make good decisions. One wrong move and a career could be finished forever. Much like his had almost been.
It’s why he’d agreed with the coach about this vacation spot. The cold climate kind of fostered isolation. At least in his head it did. With all that gear on, it wasn’t very easy to talk to strangers. It wasn’t the same as lying on a beach or surfing. Because the waves always carried you back in to shore. With skiing, you could simply race away from strangers who were a little too anxious to start a conversation.
Like this one?
“No, I’m not an alcoholic,” he admitted, although the steamy brew slid down his throat in a way that was a little too comforting. He took one more long pull and then set it aside. He wasn’t going to switch one habit for another.
Miranda studied him for a few seconds. She started to say something then the instructor who’d been watching her from across the room appeared beside the table. “You headed back for the slopes, Mira? If so, I’ll ride up the lift with you.”
The guy pointedly ignored Jack, which was fine. He had no intention of stepping in between these two.
“I think I’ll go back to my room and read instead. And I can catch up on some reports, while I’m there.” The chill in her voice was unmistakable.
“Mira—”
She held up her hand. “I’d rather not do this right now.”
The man’s lips thinned. “You can’t avoid me forever, you know. We both live here. Eventually, we’re going to have to sit down and talk.”
Jack’s glance went to where her left hand gripped her mug. No ring. But there was a definite indentation there.
That’s why he’d been staring at her. These two had been involved at some point. Married? An affair, maybe?
Whatever it was, it was none of his business. In fact, maybe it was time for him to take his pity party somewhere else and let these two go at it in private.
Mira beat him to it, standing up, her chin angled at a dangerous height. “I don’t see what we have to talk about.”
“How happy do you think your father is going to be once he hears about all this?”
She gave a hard smile. “You’re right, Robert. I imagine he won’t be very happy at all.”
Jack was surprised to see the other man’s face drain of color.
So that’s how it was. The jerk had done something. Something bad enough to make her want to avoid any contact with him. A dark thought came over him.
When the guy reached out to take hold of her arm Jack rose to his feet, no longer trying to remain impassive. He held the man’s gaze for ten long seconds before “Robert” backed down.
“I’ll catch you later,” he said to Mira.
“Don’t think so. Let’s just stick to our own sides of the slopes.”
With an irritated roll of his shoulders the man spun away from them and stalked toward the nearest exit.
Mira dropped back into her seat. “Well, it looks like we’re even. I rescued you. You rescued me. Thanks.” She sighed. “Sorry you had to witness that, though.”
“No problem. Ex...” He had no idea why he gave that leading sentence.
“Fiancé. But that’s neither here nor there.” She pursed her lips. “You shouldn’t go up on that slope again without another lesson or two. Next time you could really get hurt.”
If she was worried about her ex pulling something, she needn’t bother. He could take care of himself. “I’ll do that.”
She must have sensed he was just handing her a line. “No, I’m serious. Robert’s not going to be a happy camper, so I wouldn’t count on him playing nice.” She eyed him. “I could give you some pointers if you want. Make sure you stay out of trouble.”
That was pretty much impossible. He’d stayed in trouble in one form or another for the last four years. Maybe he should have asked for the beachfront condo vacation despite his earlier thoughts. At least surfing was something he was actually proficient at.
“I don’t want to put you to any trouble. I think I can manage.”
“Like you did today? Come on. I really do want to show my appreciation.”
It was either accept graciously or be a jerk about it. “Did I look that bad out there?”
She laughed. “You want honesty or a gentle lie?”
He found himself smiling back. “Hmm...I’d take the lie, but I think it’s already too late for that. Okay, I’ll accept the pointers, but I don’t guarantee I’ll show much improvement. I’m a beachside kind of guy.”
“So you’re better on the surf than on the turf?”
His smile grew. “No, the turf I can handle. It’s cold, slippery surfaces that I struggle with.”
“Interesting. So, are we on?”
Why did that seem like a loaded question all of a sudden? But unless he wanted to make a big deal out of what was probably an innocent offer, it was better to let it slide on by. “Yep.”
“Great!” She paused to wave at someone across the room. A blonde grinned and held up five fingers.
Mira nodded.
They must be meeting up in a few minutes or something. That was his cue to leave. “What time were you thinking tomorrow?”
“Does tennish work for you?”
“Sounds perfect.” He stood. “Thanks for the hot chocolate.”
“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With one last smile she picked up her cup and headed over to where the other woman was standing. And heaven help him if he didn’t watch her hips bump and sway for a couple of beats before forcing himself to turn away.
It’s not a date. She hadn’t even used that word.
Why he needed to explain that to himself he had no idea. All he knew was that his heart rate had just kicked up a notch and a zing of anticipation was edging through his veins, picking up momentum as it went.
This could be bad.
Very, very bad.
Unless he nipped it in the bud right here. Right now.
The only question...was how.
* * *
“Where