“I thought maybe the fact that I’m scared might mean I can’t do this.”
“No. It’s not feeling fear that’s the problem, it’s how you manage it. You can learn.” He reached out and fastened her helmet. “You could do this. You have what it takes.”
“Do you think one day I might even have my own crystal globe?”
“If you work hard, who knows? Do you want to?”
“Will you help me?”
He felt a rush of adrenaline and elation that he hadn’t felt since his accident. He knew he could help, and he knew he’d enjoy doing it. “All the way.”
“Then let’s do it.” Excitement burned in her eyes, and she knocked the snow from her boots and stamped her feet into her skis. “Let’s take it from the top.”
* * *
BRENNA FINISHED HER last lesson and drove back to Lake House. It had been a long day, and all she wanted was to relax in a deep bath and stare through the window at the snow falling.
What she didn’t want was an embarrassing, uncomfortable moment with Tyler.
What was she supposed to say?
Forget it, Tyler. It was just one night. Plenty of people do it.
But she didn’t. And he knew she didn’t.
Let’s pretend nothing has changed.
How could she say that when i
t was obvious to both of them that everything had changed?
She should never have said the L word.
Exasperated, and cringing with embarrassment, she was relieved to see no sign of his car. At least she could go straight to her room.
She opened the door, made a fuss of Ash and Luna and then saw the package lying on the floor with her name on it.
Luna whined and pressed her nose against Brenna’s leg.
“I messed up, Luna.” Brenna stroked her gently and then opened the package.
A flimsy wisp of black tulle and lace fell into her hand and she stared at it, and then at the note from her friends, in disbelief.
Maybe this is the day you have a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny. Coco Chanel (with some tweaks from Élise and Kayla xxxx)
“You have to be kidding me.”
Luna whined, and she shook her head at the dog. “I cannot wear this. I can’t.”
She turned it over in her hands and then held it up.
She didn’t need to try it on to know it was going to reveal far more than it covered.
She heard the slam of a car door and listened for the sound of voices, but a quick glance through the window told her Tyler was on his own.
Without bothering to take off her coat, she sprinted upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door, the offending package still in her hand.
Heart pounding, she put the garment on the bed and checked the label.