Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Aww, E, that’s so sweet!” I said in a singsong voice. “That sensitivity training we sent you to really did the trick.”
Eli casually flipped me off and then stretched, pushed his chair back.
“I’m going to go check out my ski wardrobe while you guys arm wrestle or have a pissing contest or whatever you do to decide which one is the alpha male today,” Jasmine said with a fond smirk.
I admit that when she came out of the bedroom a few minutes later, she wasn’t dressed the way I’d expected Eli to go when he chose her skiwear. I thought she’d be all in black, some sleek, techie gear that was on the cutting edge of breathable warmth thanks to a NASA polymer or something. A shiny one-piece that looked like it belonged on a scuba diver going to space or maybe a bright pink puffer and sexy leggings. Instead, she wore a luscious cream colored down bomber jacket that fit her perfectly and some flared gray pants, all of it looking as if it were knitted.
“Wool?” I said, eyebrows up.
“And cashmere. All natural fibers,” Eli said proudly.
“You did good, brother,” I said approvingly.
The look on Jasmine’s face was priceless. She beamed, stroked the soft fabric of her jacket, and adjusted her soft cream and grey fair isle beanie, a dimple showing in her cheek. With a slight blush, she gave a twirl to show the outfit to us all. Her delight was so clear that it gave off a warmth all of us could feel.
We exchanged a look of contentment. We’d done it just right, and Eli’s choices had been perfect, luxurious and elegant, warm and special. We shrugged on our own gear. Jake led us to the activities desk while Ty took out a bag and distributed new high-tech sunglasses that reduced the glare and protected us from all kinds of UV rays.
“Do you think it’ll be hours before the next excursion leaves to the slopes?” Jasmine asked me.
“If it is, we’ll check out the spa or something on-site in the meantime. We’ll ski today, no worries,” I told her.
Eli cut me a look, “It’s a bespoke activity service, bro. No waiting for a scheduled time. They’ll take us now.”
“You’re kidding,” Jasmine said.
“It’s that kind of place, apparently,” Eli said with a grin. I clapped him on the back.
“Well done, brother.”
“Is that the ride to the ski lift?” Jasmine interrupted, indicating the stretch SUV limo that pulled up right beside us. A driver stepped out and opened the door, courteously letting Jasmine go ahead of us. We settled in to the leather interior and looked around, impressed.
By the time she’d finished exclaiming about the beautiful scenery out the window, we’d reached the equipment rental spot by the ski lift. We were outfitted almost as soon as we introduced ourselves, since the hotel had messaged them when we left to give them a heads-up.
Once our boots were fastened in and poles sizzed properly, we were on our way. Eli and Ty went ahead in the first gondola and I stayed behind with Jasmine and Jake. Jake was giving us a guidebook-quality summary of why skiing was perfect in this location and which amenities were available after we were finished hitting the slopes and needed to warm up. I listened but my attention was on the hand that gripped my arm like a lifeline.
“If I look down I’ll die. I’ll melt off this seat and fall to my death. I had no idea that this much of skiing was off of the ground,” Jasmine whispered to me, her teeth clenched.
“It’s just the lift to get us to the starting place for your first run on the mountain. I know the first time on the lift is no fun, but with your skis on there’s no other way to the top.”
“Oh, I understand why we have to take the lift. I just hate heights. I want to shut my eyes so I don’t have to see it, but I get dizzy when I close my eyes and just imagine the drop from here. Jesus! Look at the two of them jostling around and taking selfies ahead of us,” she winced at the antics of the expert skiers in the family who swung on a lift gondola up ahead of us and seemed to be having a rollicking time.
“It’s all right. We’ve got you,” I said. “And I won’t tell anyone you’re afraid of the lift.”
“Ugh. Do not tell anyone. Ty would love a good way to prank me about this and if I go down, you’re coming with me,” she said with a shaky attempt at fierceness that I couldn’t help but admire.
When she saw the people a few cars ahead of us leap off the lift and go skidding down the slope, I felt her stiffen beside me.