Page 24 of Ski You Later (Alpine Glow #1)

He switched the sticks right before it was taken, my huge smile on display as I hold out a perfectly rolled sweet treat.

But it’s Roman’s face that catches my attention.

His head is pressed into the top of mine and the happiest smile I’ve seen on him is plastered to his face.

Looking up at him now, he stares down at the photo with immense fondness and promptly tucks it into his wallet .

I take another lick of syrup-taffy without thinking and then feel guilty as he crunches his.

“You can have yours back if you want. It’s really good, and I didn’t eat all of it.” He looks down at the two specks of sugar left on the stick, and then back at me with his eyebrow raised.

“No, I insist you keep it. After all, I did cheat.” We stand beside each other again, eating our respective treats and walking with no direction in mind.

“I’m glad we can see eye to eye on something. We should do that more often” I glance up and side long at him just to see he has already been watching me.

“We don’t see eye to eye on anything. I have to bend my entire back to get to your height, Langley.”

I turn to him, a quip already on my tongue, when Jasmine steps directly into my path.

“Hi, cous,” Jasmine says, shooting a sickly-sweet smile my way as she turns her focus to Roman. “Hey there, Roman.” She draws her words out, leaning closer to him as her friends stand behind her.

Taylor is grinning like a villain at Jasmine’s display, but Sofia has the decency to look mildly uncomfortable. That uncertainty I always have when Jasmine’s near starts to worm its way into my chest .

Against my wishes, I start to tap my feet and wring out my hands as she completely ignores me and focuses on Roman. Jasmine erupts in a fit of fake laughter at her own joke, with Taylor and Sofia promptly joining in.

Standing awkwardly at Roman’s side, I can’t help but tense as she takes a step closer, officially getting into our personal space. She can’t be trying to make a move on my fake boyfriend. Can she?

As panic and indecision fill my body, I feel the weight of Roman’s arm drape around my waist, and he pulls me close to his side.

Before I can even understand what’s happening, he artfully places me between him and Jasmine.

My cousin’s gaze turns into a glare as it lands on me, but she looks over me and continues talking.

The panic that had previously flooded me slowly dissipates as Roman's chest presses snuggly into my back. The feel of his arm banded around my stomach calming me in a way I didn’t expect.

With his help, I’m able to take a couple of deep breaths and listen to the garbage coming from my cousin's mouth. “Don’t you agree with me, Rhodes? It just makes more sense. ”

She looks at me expectantly, her friends stifling their laughs by putting their hands over their mouths. Roman’s hold on me shifts, his chin resting on my head as he brings his other arm around me.

“Jasmine, what’s your goal here? How about you go run back to that scum bag boyfriend of yours and leave us alone.”

All niceties vanish from her face at Roman’s words as she registers that the game she’s playing has no effect on him.

It’s like a flip switches in her head, and that cruel look she had when we were kids shines in her eyes.

She points a menacing finger at Roman, something akin to a snarl in her tone.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but you have no place in this.

I know this whole thing is a sham and I’m going to prove it.

” She moves her finger between us, real anger erasing the sweet angel act she always puts on.

“If you think for one second he’s going to want you back now, you have another thing coming. So back the hell off.” I furrow my brow at her words, literally having no idea what she’s even talking about. Then we both watch as she turns tail and storms away.

Roman releases his hold on me when she’s out of sight and quickly grabs my hand to start walking the other way. The air between us seems to have shifted, the silence becoming charged the longer we walk without speaking.

He pulls me to a quiet corner behind one of the booths, turning to face me as he crosses his arms.

“Has that been your plan this whole time?” He refuses to meet my eyes as his hand starts to rub the back of his neck anxiously. “Are you using me to get back with your ex?”

I can’t help but look at him with absolute bafflement, confusion and a pinch of anger suddenly overtaking me.

After everything I told him about my past, does he think so little of me as to want him back?

Pure anger floods me at the fact that one comment from my cousin would make him even think that.

“After everything I shared with you, my feelings and healing over this past year, do you think that’s what I want? Does one comment from my cousin make you think so little of me?”

His pensive face falls away and the guilt that takes its place is visible. He starts to fidget, taking off his hat to run his hands through his hair. I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for his response and seeing if this will be our first and last fake date .

Lifting my eyebrow at him as he just stares at me, he takes a breath and slowly extends his hand in my direction. With no choice considering the crowd all around us, I gently place mine in his.

With a quick tug, I’m pressed into his jacket as his arms wrap around me.

“I’m sorry, Rhodes. It wasn’t fair of me to ask that.”

“Hmmm,” I narrow my gaze up at him.

“You know I don’t appreciate telling you my feelings and you responding with, hmmm.” Frustration enters his voice at this, and I crack a small smile.

“Well, I don’t appreciate someone who knows my history, believe I want anything to do with that loser ever again!” I rear back, surprising even myself on that one.

Usually, I would apologize right away, but instead, I own it as I stare back at him.

He lifts his head from mine as a small smile graces his face. “Fair enough, Langley.”

After walking me to the door, Roman gently squeezes my hand before he walks away. I can’t help but stare at him as he leaves, the fond memories of our first fake-date replaying in my mind .

A peaceful smile tugs at my lips, and I let it take over my face as I head to the kitchen. I barely manage to walk through the door before I stop dead in my tracks.

Standing in the middle of the vase, surrounded by withered up flowers, is one living pink rose.