Best Laid Plans (The Best Girls 4)

“Okay, I’ll help. Maybe I’ll switch to a board in the afternoon.”

“Great,” said Derek. “Hopefully I’ve got a better chance of beating you on a board.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Emily remarked.

“Actually, Olivia said you were a pretty good teacher today, even though you were on a board and she was on skis,” Grace told Derek. “I think she’s hoping to ski with you again tomorrow.”

“Sure thing.” He grinned until Emily narrowed her eyes at him. “Uhmm... I mean... Maybe in the morning, because of course, I’ll be boarding with Charlie tomorrow afternoon.”

“But you’re gonna ski with me in the morning?” Jace asked Charlie.

“Absolutely. And by the end of the morning you’ll be ready to start skiing blues.”

“Because I didn’t fall very much?”

“No, that doesn’t matter. In skiing, if you’re not falling, you’re not pushing yourself, so you’re not learning. You’ll be skiing blues because you’re not afraid to try hard.”

“What’s the weather going to be like tomorrow?” asked Derek. “Has anyone seen a report?”

“Cloudy and snowing. High in the upper teens. A little colder than today.” Brad read the report from his cell phone.

Charlie stood with her plate, heading toward the kitchen. “That’s all you’re going to eat?” asked Emily.

“Yeah, I guess I’m still full from that hot chocolate you made me.”

“You didn’t like dinner?” Spencer asked.

“No, it was great. Really.” Her stomach churned as she spoke. “I’m just not very hungry.”

She slipped into the kitchen and scraped her food into the trash.

It was eight o’clock, and she was ready to go to bed. Perhaps that was her best move. She could simply go to sleep and forget this day had ever happened. She could forget all about being alone with Josh. Forget about how comfortable she felt talking to him. Forget how good it felt when he’d held her. Forget about how amazing he looked in the hot tub. Forget she hadn’t been able to act cool when Derek had touched her leg. Forget how red her face had turned when Josh had stared at her. Forget everything. Well, everything except the skiing. The skiing was great. She had to forget everything but skiing.

She grabbed one of the multitude of dirty pots and scrubbed with relish. From the corner of her eye, she saw Josh emerge into the kitchen. She kept her eyes glued to her task, but she felt a blush creeping all the way up to her hairline.

Josh cleared his throat. “Uhmm... I uhmm... Chloe wanted some milk.” He snatched a glass from the cabinet next to her.

She nodded, scrubbing her pot with renewed vigor. She heard him open the refrigerator, pour milk in the glass, and close the refrigerator door. But instead of returning to the breakfast room, he lurked behind her. She ignored him, concentrating on the pot.

“I think you’ve gotten that spot as clean as it can get.” He spoke over her shoulder, and she caught a whiff of his scent—clean and spicy.

Again the blood rushed to her face. She wanted to say something back. Something smart and witty. Something sarcastic. But her brain simply wouldn’t function, so she rinsed the pot off and grabbed the towel to dry it.

“Charlie, I’m sorry I embarrassed you. Okay? I just... You just... I mean, you can’t really blame me for looking. Can you?”

“Yes, I can!” she said, as her brain finally engaged. She slammed the pot on the counter. “You’re getting married to Olivia next month—you shouldn’t be looking at anyone else! But I guess it’s my fault, too. I won’t be dressing like that around you again, so you don’t have to worry.”

“But Charlie—”

“Goodnight Josh,” she said, throwing down her towel and fleeing for her bedroom.

JOSH WAS LEFT STANDING, powerless and frustrated, as Charlie slipped away. She hadn’t given him a chance to explain. But what would he have said? The situation was impossible. He turned around, still holding Chloe’s glass of milk, only to find Steven Gherring standing in the doorway. He felt the blood drain from his face.

“Uhmm... How long have you been there?” Josh asked.

“Long enough,” said Steven.

“It’s not what it sounded like,” said Josh.