Page 86 of When You Blush

I open the door for her, and we’re on our way up the mountain to the ski resort.

“So when the fire happened, was it a total loss?” Harper asks.

“Yeah, the arsonist set fire to every commercial structure. So the main lodge, the condos, restaurants. Even the ski rental hut. The only thing he didn’t torch were the private homes. Connor had it all cleaned out and is starting fresh.”

She nods, watching the scenery as I turn off the highway onto the winding road that leads up to the ski resort.

Harper fists her hands in her lap and blows out a slow breath, making me frown over at her.

“Hey, are you okay?”

She nods, but her smile is a little shaky when she looks over at me. “Yeah, sorry. I’m nervous.”

“Why are you nervous?” I take one of her hands and kiss her fingers, then press the back of her hand against my chest. “Talk to me, baby.”

“All of your people will be there, and it’s different from book club. It’s … all of your people.” She winces. “And now we’re in this thing, and I’m nervous I’ll screw something up. What if they don’t like me? It sucks when that happens, Blake.”

“You’re my people, too,” I remind her and set her hand on my thigh so I can use both hands on the wheel as I take a sharp turn. She starts to pull away, but I snag her hand and press it back to my leg. “Stay. Also, everyone coming is kind. Sometimes my brothers are goofy, but we’re all nice people. Yes, it’s our first gathering as a couple, but I’m right here. I’m right next to you. If you feel shy or unsure, tell me, and I’ll help.”

“I don’t want to seem too needy or clingy.”

“Please, cling to me, sweetheart. That’s what I’m here for. Because I’m definitely needy as fuck.”

That makes her snort, and her smile is relaxed.

“Okay then.”

“Okay.”

Twenty minutes later, I pull up in front of the entrance where a valet waits to park my car for us.

“This reallyisfull service,” Harper says in surprise.

“Yeah, he said it’s running at full capacity, and we get to enjoy it for a few days to help work out any early kinks.”

I step out of the car and hand the young man my fob, then walk to the back of the car to open the hatch and retrieve our bags. Another valet opens the door for Harper.

“We can have those delivered to your room, sir,” Valet One says. “Your name?”

“Blake Blackwell,” I reply and slip him a tip. “Thank you.”

“Thank you,” Harper echoes as we walk into the lobby. The Lodge is a log mountain retreat theme, with huge, dark logs running along the cathedral ceiling. There’s a taxidermic grizzly standing nearby to greet us. The whole space looks opulent but still feels cozy and welcoming.

I grin at the sight of Connor and Billie, who come over to welcome us. “Thanks for having us,” I reply as my sister gives me a big hug.

“I’mso gladyou’re here,” Billie says, hugging my girl. Harper smiles shyly, but I can tell that the warm reception has calmed her nerves a little. “Usually, you would check in at the desk, but we took the liberty already so we can give you a tour.”

“Is everyone else already here?” I ask.

“Aye,” Connor says with a nod. “Brooks got here justthirty minutes ago. Once you two are settled, we’ll have dinner.”

Harper and I weren’t able to come up until we were both finished with work, but we’ll be up here now for two nights and three days.

A mini vacation is just what I need with my girl.

“So this is the lobby,” Billie says, gesturing to the space with a huge rock fireplace in the center, then cringes at her husband. “Sorry, I won’t take over this tour.”

“Go ahead, angel,” Connor says with a grin and kisses my sister on the head. “I love the way you tell it.”