Page 1 of It’s Me, but Different

Chapter 1

Sloane

“I wouldn't ask if it wasn't absolutely necessary,” Anika insists, shrugging her shoulders.

“You really want me to believe there's not a single ski instructor available to teach this lesson?” I protest, shaking my head before taking another sip of coffee.

“Nobody, all busy or sick,” my sister River rushes to answer, maybe too quickly. “Besides, do you have something important to do that you can't teach the lesson?”

“I run the ski school and only teach advanced lessons. I don't teach little kids,” I remind her.

For a moment, I'm convinced they'll leave me alone. They stay silent, but there's such obvious complicity between them that it makes me smile. A few months ago, both of them were going through a crisis in their lives. Anika had just separated from her ex, sold her company, and was immersed in a very complicated divorce.

And River... River started realizing she wanted something more in her life. Now, they practically shine with happiness every time they're together.

“Okay, can you explain what you're plotting?” I complain when I see them starting to whisper to each other.

“Plotting? Us?” River tries to act innocent, but this is starting to be too obvious.

“Really, Sloane, you have to teach that new guest's kids. It's very important,” Anika insists.

I arch an eyebrow.

“A guest? You're acting very suspicious.”

River glances sideways, as if looking for support from Anika.

“We offered her a special promotional package and...”

“A promotional package that I don't think includes ski lessons with me, right? Besides, we usually make those offers for big corporate clients or newlyweds. A woman with two kids doesn't seem usual. And why are you two handling this? Shouldn't this be Penny's job in sales?”

“Come on, Sloane, after all the trouble it took us to find her,” River says, immediately receiving an elbow to the ribs from her girlfriend.

“Okay, that's enough, damn it. I want you to tell me what's happening once and for all or get out of here and let me drink my coffee in peace,” I demand, giving a small slap on the table.

“Very well, very well, what a temper...” Anika nods. “Do you remember all those nights we talked about regrets? You always tell me there's someone you can't forget and you regret letting her go.”

I let out a long sigh. That happened a long time ago, but it still hurts every day.

“Yeah, I remember it well.”

My sister River seems both excited and regretful.

“I might have asked in some Facebook groups of alumni from your university, trying to locate her,” she admits with a sigh.

“Find her? Find who?”

“Look, don't get angry, because we did this for your own good. I know it might sound a bit crazy, but we located her contact information. We presented Silver Peaks as the perfect vacation place. We sent photos, reviews, and a ridiculously good price.”

“Absolutely, ridiculously good,” Anika confirms.

I stay quiet for a few moments, trying to process what these two are trying to explain to me.

“Are you telling me you found Esme Torres and invited her here? I don't believe it. She would never accept an invitation signed by a Merriweather. And she knows you well, Anika; you were the one who introduced her to me in college.”

My sister simply shrugs.

“Julie signed the offer. Don't get like that; we thought maybe she could use a break. That girl has been through a lot, Sloane. Two years ago, she lost her husband in a climbing accident.”