Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Gretchen.
    “You met my brother. He tells me you were quite charming.”
    I text back in a full sentence, the way Gretchen likes. “So was he.”
    Moisture condenses on my glass of cold water, and my hand gets wet when I take a sip. I bend to stretch and hear the hum of a reply text.
    “Thanks for letting him stay with you and showing him around Breck. He’s excited to be a ski bum.”
    I tap out a response. “He’s fun. It’ll be nice to have him here.” Christian’s face comes to mind, and a pang of regret tugs at my heart. I wish I’d kissed him anyway.
    I send another text. “I think his idea of ski bumming is like mine. He plans on a wine cellar.”
    As soon as I send it, heat rises to my cheeks. Last winter Gretchen and my brother fooled around in our wine cellar, and I guess she’s remembering it right now. I flash to being close to Christian in that same room, and how flustered he got me when I handed him the champagne bottle. The idea of doing something with Christian in close quarters makes my skin tingle. Great, he makes me blush without even being here.
    Gretchen texts back. “You guys do have similar tastes. He’ll be a fun friend for you.”
    Yeah, as long as I remember he’s just a friend.
    My hamstrings ache as I bend over to stretch them. I had a good run, and it makes me think I can reward myself with cake. I pick up my phone and text my friends Casey, Megan, and Lori to see if they want to meet me for lunch. None of us are employed for a few more days, and I could use some girl time.
    Within a half hour we all have plans to meet at the Baked Bean, the coffee shop where I first met Christian. They have amazing food. Interesting soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as my favorite carrot cake, all make my stomach growl as I think about them.
    I enter to the scent of onion and butter, making me think I should have a hearty bowl of soup and homemade bread for lunch. I spy Casey already at a table with her food and give her a quick wave. The decor is a version of modern-day hippy, which flows nicely with the organic-themed food.
    When I get in line, Lori and Megan walk in the door together. I say, “Hey. Casey’s already here.” I tilt my head in her direction while the other two girls smile. Casey is always early.
    Lori says, “Something smells good. I think it’s a soup day.”
    “My thoughts exactly. It’s chilly out there.” A warm buzz of conversation floats around us as locals celebrate the new season to come.
    Megan says, “I know. Nick’s already skied.”
    Nick is her boyfriend, and he has preseason work with the snowmakers. “Lucky guy. I can’t wait until we open tomorrow. Can we get in the locker room, or do I have to be a regular Joe?”
    Megan says, “We can get in and claim our lockers. Rookie training starts on Monday.”
    “That’s right.” I think about Christian and wonder if there will be any cute new girls. “Any scoop on the new hires?”
    It’s my turn to order, and I ask for soup with bread and carrot cake. I step aside to let the other girls buy their lunches too. When they’re done we all wait for our food by a glass case that displays the desserts. Megan says, “I haven’t heard about the rookies yet. But I bet we’ll find out at the party Friday.”
    Every year there’s an instructor’s party just before the season starts. It’s usually at a big, lodge-style house that seven male instructors live in. Casey and Lori’s boyfriends are two of them.
    Our trays arrive at the same time, and a rich, spicy scent wafts through the air as we walk over to join Casey. She says, “I hear Christian stayed with you when he was here. Isn’t he sweet?”
    “He is. And he’ll be staying with me when he gets back in a couple of days.”
    Megan jokes, “Did you let him tie you up?” Plates rattle as we set our trays down on the shiny wood table.
    I wish. I smirk at her. “Funny.” I smear butter on my bread and take a big bite. The soft texture practically