Page 31 of Reckless Hearts

“Nah, it’s been interesting. And if I ever want to impress someone with my knowledge of mountain parrots, I’m now fully armed and prepared,” I say.

“Welcome to my world. You would not believe the boring crap I had to put up with growing up. When Mum and Dad took us to New York, we had to spend a whole day in the Museum of Natural History instead of shopping.”

“It was one day out of seven, and we pretty much did everything you wanted on the other days,” Seb replies.

It’s interesting seeing Seb push back against Saskia. He’s not quite the pushover I’d expect with his sister.

Saskia gives me an exasperated look. “You’re so lucky being an only child.”

The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. My hands inside my gloves clench involuntarily.

“Yeah. I’m lucky.” The words feel choked in my throat.

Saskia luckily takes over the conversation, talking about the powder and whether the weather will stay fine for another day skiing tomorrow.

I focus on her rather than looking down.

When it’s time to get off the ski lift, I concentrate carefully and make it off without colliding with Saskia or Seb, which I take as a win.

We all stop at the top of the run.

“You don’t have to come with us,” Saskia says to Seb.

Seb hesitates. He throws a look in my direction, and fuck it, I can’t help intervening.

“Seb’s been helping me make it down the mountain in one piece.”

“I’m fairly sure I’m up to that challenge,” Saskia replies. She turns to Seb. “Now’s your chance to have a fast run. I did the fall line in under eight minutes. See if you can beat that.”

She’s effortlessly maneuvered Seb into a position where he can’t really disobey her.

One thing is for sure. Saskia’s going to make a great lawyer.

Seb doesn’t offer any protests. With one last glance at me, he heads off down the other run.

I watch his back for a few moments, feeling a pang of regret.

“You’re welcome,” Saskia says once Seb has disappeared.

“What?”

“I managed to detach your shadow from you. I hope he hasn’t been too annoying.”

“Nah, he’s been great. I’m never going to turn down free ski lessons.”

She gives me a grin. “I’m sure you wouldn’t. Right, you ready to show me what you’ve got?”

Skiing down the run with Saskia is a different experience than with Seb. We have more laughs, but I miss the intensity in Seb’s gaze as he watched me ski like nothing was more important than fixing my technique. I miss the way a blush trekked up his cheeks every time I said something to fluster him.

Saskia and I ski together for the remainder of the afternoon before we bundle back into the car and head to the Kleggs’ holiday home in Arrowtown.

Seb stands back as everyone calls dibs on the bedrooms until he’s left with the worst room.

I take my bag from the car to my assigned room. It’s not until I spot a stack of well-worn fantasy novels, a collection of Magic cards spread across the desk, and a vintageStar Warsposter tacked to the wall that I realize exactly whose room I’m in.

I return to the hallway to find Seb carrying his duffel bag up the stairs.

“Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to nick your room,” I say.