Page 5 of It’s Me, but Different

“Very conceited,” she corrects. “Sometimes you were unbearable, I swear. Why do you think I didn't go to college with you despite being your twin?”

“I don't know, Ivy. I guess we'll see. Right now I'm totally lost.”

On my way to the suite I occupy in the resort, I hear the murmur of conversations in the dining room or children's laughter in the kids' area. Maybe Esme's children are there. My knee hurts, reminding me that despite still being young, I'm far from being the invincible skier I once was.

After a quick shower with very hot water, I put on my pajamas and drop onto the mattress to watch a movie, though a message on my cell phone brings me back to reality.

River: We've scheduled a ski lesson at 10 in the morning. The kids are excited. She's still somewhat… let's say… shocked. Sorry if all this is being a bit intense.

Of course Esme is shocked. She came here expecting a ski resort in Montana, not me, the ex-girlfriend who dumped her to chase Olympic glory.

A new message arrives almost immediately.

River: I hope this can be a second chance. You deserve to be happy.

I don't respond to that sentence. Happiness. It's not that I can complain about my life, quite the opposite. I have my sisters, much more money than I can spend, and I enjoy the tranquility of the mountains. Still, seeing Esme again has shaken me so much that I'm practically in shock. It reminds me of what I let slip away.

I wander to the shelf and take out some family photo albums. In many, I appear at the top of the podium, holdingsome trophy. In others I'm with Ivy. In some more with my older sisters. There are no photos of Esme. I never allowed myself to keep them. It was too painful.

I close my eyes and let the warmth of the fire in the fireplace lull me to sleep. Tomorrow, I'll see her again. I'll guide Theo and Ana Sofia down the slopes, teach them to trust the snow under their skis. But I can't ignore the whirlwind of half-buried feelings: regret, curiosity, and a fragile hope. Maybe we'll just cross paths at Silver Peaks for a few days, and I'll never see her again. She'll return to her life, and I'll regret every day that I let her escape.

Or maybe River and Anika's crazy plan will work.

My phone vibrates one last time with another message.

Anika: Are you okay?

Everyone is worried that my head will explode or something like that. I send back a simple “I'm fine” and throw the phone aside, covering myself with the comforter.

Eleven years ago, I thought I had to choose between love and glory, and I chose glory. That choice ended with a serious knee injury and an empty life. Esme moved on without me, with a husband, with two children, and with a future. Even if that future ended in pain, she kept moving forward. I didn't. If there's the slightest chance she'll at least forgive me, I'm willing to try.

Chapter 3

Esme

My son Theo won't stop talking while his sister jumps nervously from one foot to the other, both so hyper from the hot chocolate and adrenaline that I know getting them to sleep tonight will be mission impossible.

“Mom, did you see the size of these beds?” Ana Sofia shrieks as she enters the room she'll share with her twin brother in the suite they've assigned us.

I simply shrug and smile. I love seeing them this happy. It's been two very hard years. Losing their father at such a young age has to be very difficult, and every time I saw the sadness in their eyes, it broke my heart.

For them, the two weeks we'll spend at Silver Peaks are a great adventure. For me, it's been a trap. I don't know if Sloane is involved or not. She assured me she wasn't, and I want to think she's not lying. But it's still a trap, no matter how I look at it. If it weren't for the kids, I would have already left.

The promotional offer arrived in my inbox as a surprise, accompanied by a phone call from someone named Julie. She spoke to me in a very friendly tone and promised me unforgettable days in the snow. When I asked if the price was correct, she explained that the resort was looking to expand its reach to families with small children. I remember blinking several times when I saw the offer; it was too good to be true.

And of course, now I know it wasn't.

However, it fit perfectly with the twins' winter vacation dates, so I said yes before thinking about it more.

I was so focused on my children that I didn't research it. If I had, I would have realized that this place is owned by the Merriweather family, which obviously includes her too.

Theo jumps and bounces off the bed, though he doesn't seem to get hurt because he runs to the small living room of the suite, where he stops dead in front of the welcome basket.

“Mom, there's candy!” he shrieks, getting his sister's attention.

Part of me wants to pack right now and find another hotel. Another voice in my head reminds me of the twins' joy. I can't take them away from here just because I don't feel comfortable every time I run into Sloane Merriweather.

I bite my lower lip painfully as I remember how everything ended between us. I thought we had the perfect relationship. I was tremendously happy by her side. Andone day, out of nowhere, she simply told me she couldn't afford distractions while pursuing her dream of winning an Olympic medal.