Chapter 14

That evening, Ry attended the concert, one of the many events put on in conjunction with the racing. The music had people on their feet dancing, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Brynn. He hoped things were going well with her mom and her recovery because she’d been moving slow at the hotel. He kept checking his cell phone to see if she needed something.

No texts or calls arrived. That should have been a good sign, except not hearing from her made him miss her more. He wasn’t used to missing anyone. Well, except their family dog, Cocoa.

“Hear from Brynn?” Taylor asked.

He shoved his phone in his pocket. “No. Brynn’s with her mom.”

Sam snickered. “If she was that into you, she’d be texting. Mom or not.”

“Brynn’s injured.” Chas stood behind Taylor and pulled her against his chest. “She’s probably asleep because of the pain meds.”

Ry appreciated Chas’s input because that would explain why Brynn hadn’t texted him. Not that he would contact her when she needed this time with her mother. His friends, however, weren’t making it easy to get his mind off her.

Not surprising.

Brynn Windham was different from other women he’d met. She could be stubborn and a hardnose, as she’d been on Monday, but being with her brought a welcome and unexpected peace. Something that had eluded him for…as long as he remembered.

A relationship was the last thing he wanted, but he wasn’t ready to put distance between them. Monday would come soon enough. Until then, he wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. That gave him an idea—something he could do for her tomorrow night to help her forget all her troubles so she would be ready to race the next day.

On Saturday morning, Ry couldn’t wait to see Brynn. He’d made plans last night when he returned to the condo. Now, he couldn’t wait to surprise her. He only wished another week of races remained so he wouldn’t have to say goodbye to Brynn and fly home. Though if he could convince her to come with him…

Two hours later, Ry watched the parallel slalom races, but by the second one he gave up trying to appear interested and headed over to the hotel instead.

After he knocked on the door, Mrs. Windham motioned him into the room. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and my daughter. You’ve been a good friend to Brynn.”

He bristled. Was a good friend how Brynn described him? He hoped not, after her mom had witnessed the not-exactly-friends kiss, but he couldn’t shake his unease. Okay, they were friends, so he didn’t know why that made him squirm.

Ry, however, kept smiling. “Happy to help, Mrs. Windham.”

“Please, call me Deanna.”

He didn’t see Brynn in the room. “Where’s…”

The bathroom door opened, and Brynn stepped out, wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. These weren’t as baggie as what she’d worn yesterday. Someone must have brought her more clothes, ones that fit better.

Her face brightened, making her even prettier. “You’re here.”

Ry gave a mock bow. “At your service.”

“See.” Brynn grinned at her mom. “I told you he was here to help.”

A hesitant smile appeared on her mom’s face. “You did.”

She moved to the opposite side of the room as if to give them privacy. That wasn’t enough distance when all he wanted to do was hold Brynn in his arms and kiss her—an unfriend-like reaction.

Brynn’s gaze narrowed. “Have something you want to say?”

He had lots to tell her, starting with you’re so beautiful and ending with we’re more than friends.

His heart lurched. He couldn’t say any of those things to Brynn. He’d meant it when he told Brynn he wasn’t interested in dating. So why was this craziness popping into his head? Maybe he hadn’t slept as well as he thought and was tired.

Ry picked up her cinch sack. “Let’s get you to the team hotel. People want to see you. Some of the team parents want to meet your mom. And I have a surprise for you.”

She stiffened. “You know I’m not—”

“Big on surprises,” he finished for her. “I know, but you’ll enjoy this one.”

Through lunch, Ry kept his distance from Brynn. He did the same thing when he drove her to the team hotel. As the hours passed in her room with people coming and going, Ry focused on being patient.

He understood Brynn’s teammates wanted to spend time with her. Her mom’s sideways glances suggested she was leery of him. Coach, who hadn’t said much as if trying to avoid a public scene with Deanna, watched Ry’s every move as if waiting for him to do something wrong.

Ry wouldn’t. He pasted on a smile, sat in the chair at the table, and waited for the time he could be alone with Brynn. He’d arranged a special dinner to keep her relaxed, so she would be ready for the race tomorrow, if they allowed her to compete.

The final group of visitors, three young skiers from the D team, left. He sent a text they would be on their way to dinner shortly. He had no doubt a smug smile was on his face because everything was working out as he’d planned.

As the door closed, Brynn stretched out on her bed and wiggled her sock-covered toes. “That’s the last of the visitors.”

She’d chatted with everyone coming in and out of her room this afternoon, even when she had to be hurting. “Tired?”

“No.” Brynn picked up her glass of water and drank. “I’ve been lying down since Thursday, and I’ve rested enough. I’m ready to get up and move.”

That was his cue to get the evening started. Ry approached the side of the bed with purposeful steps. “It’s time for your surprise.”

They wouldn’t have long until she had to return—Coach Tolliver had given him an hour and a half—but ninety minutes was better than nothing. Brynn needed a special treat. So did Ry.

Her face lit up. “Cookie dough.”

“Something better.”

Her mouth slanted as if she were contemplating what it could be. “You’re setting a high bar, but if the surprise means I get out of this room for a few minutes, you’re my new best friend.”

“It does. And I guess I am.” Ry enjoyed joking around with her. Brynn’s races so far might not have gone as she’d hoped, but she seemed more at ease than she’d been on Monday morning. “My birthday is September fifth. A BFF should know that.”

“I’ll mark the date down in my calendar.”

He held out his arm to her. She hadn’t complained once about her injuries, but she had made an occasional wince or grimace. “Let’s go.”

She laced her fingers with his. “I need shoes.”

“Your fuzzy socks are fine.” Ry helped her stand, but he didn’t let go of her hand. He didn’t want her to stumble or fall, but he also enjoyed touching her. “We’re not leaving the hotel.”

“You have me curious.”

“Then my evil plan is working.” He wagged his eyebrows.

She laughed, a melodic sound that seemed to spread through his entire body.

The hallway outside her room was empty. Good, because Ry didn’t want to have to explain what they were doing or tell someone they couldn’t tag along. He didn’t want to share her tonight. They entered the elevator, and he pressed the button for the second floor.

“Do I get a hint?” she asked.

“No, because I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

She blew out a breath. “This better be good.”

He bit back a laugh. “Would your BFF let you down?”

Her mouth slanted. “I need to see my surprise before I answer that.”

“Spoilsport,” Ry teased. They exited the elevator and went a few steps before he stopped in front of a door, released her hand, and pulled out a key card.

Her forehead crinkled. “You have a room here?”

“Not exactly.” After he inserted the card, the green LED lit. He opened the door to see the lights were on—well, dimmed—as he requested. Soft instrumental music played, too. Brett’s recommendation appeared to be spot on. Now if the rest of the evening could go as well…

His heart pounded with a sudden case of nerves because he wanted tonight to be perfect for Brynn. He wanted her to be relaxed and happy and…

She motioned to the doorway. “Are we going in?”

Too late to change his mind. He stepped out of the way so she could go first. “After you.”

She entered the room, gasped, and covered her mouth with her hands.

He followed her inside, allowing the door to close automatically behind him.

A table for two, covered in a white linen tablecloth, complete with candles and a centerpiece with three red roses, awaited them. A napkin folded like a crown sat on the top plate.

“What is this?” She sounded stunned.

Good, that was the reaction he wanted. He’d mentioned not wanting anything to be over the top, and the caterer had taken Ry’s requests to heart. “Dinner.”

“I don’t…” As she faced him, her eyes gleamed. She hugged him quickly before she stepped away. “No one has ever gone to this much trouble for me.”

“It was no trouble.” He pulled out a chair so she could sit. “After everything you’ve been through, I thought a quiet dinner for just the two of us would be nice for you.”

As she studied the table, her smile kept widening. “This is…wonderful. More than I could have imagined.”

Pleased, he sat in the chair opposite her. “Dinner will arrive shortly.”

Brynn placed her napkin on her lap. “How did you manage this?”

“Last night, I asked my friend Brett, who owns the condo, for a recommendation. It only took a phone call and a follow-up one this morning.”

The gratitude in her gaze nearly sent him toppling backward. He had to look away to break the strong connection between them. His temperature rose. He grabbed his water glass and gulped, but that didn’t cool him off.

“Thank you for making things better.” She reached toward the roses in the vase before pulling her arm back. “This surprise is…incredible. Perfect.”

Pride made him sit taller. “I’m here to help you. That’s what BFFs do for one another.”

“The position is all yours.”

The door to the room opened. A server with bleached hair and dressed in black wheeled in a cart. “I’m Martin. We have four courses especially selected for your dining pleasure.”

Giggling, she leaned forward over the table. “He sounds more like a butler than a waiter.”

Heat radiated at the center of Ry’s chest. He loved seeing her so lighthearted and happy.

Martin lit the candles on the table, filled their champagne flutes with sparkling cider, and placed the bottle into a silver bucket filled with ice. “I’ll have your first course on the table next.”

As Martin returned to his cart, Ry raised his flute. “A toast. To my new best friend. May she have the race of her dreams.”

Staring at him, she tapped her glass against his. A chime hung in the air—one full of possibilities.

“I hope the same thing for you when you’re on skis.” She took a sip.

He did, too, wishing this could be the first of many toasts they shared.

Martin placed a bowl in front of each of them. “Pumpkin soup garnished with toasted baguette slices.”

“I love pumpkin.” She raised a spoonful of the soup and swallowed. “Delicious.”

“In case you’re wondering, I didn’t do an internet search of your favorite foods.” Looking up how she drank her coffee had been too stalker-like, so he hadn’t wanted to do that again. “The caterer had told me his winter menu, and it sounded good.”

“I wouldn’t have minded if you did another search, but if you had, we’d be eating pizza or tacos.”

He tried the soup, tasting a hint of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. “Both would have been excellent choices.”

The flames on the candles danced. She focused on the table with a hint of wonder on her face. “This is better.”

His chest puffed. Ry wanted tonight to be special for Brynn but being with her was making this an evening to remember for him. One he didn’t want to end.

In between eating their soup and a salad with apple chunks, sliced beets, and chopped walnuts, they spoke about everything from favorite movies to bands. They shared stories like when she was mistaken for Jax’s girlfriend and how much he enjoyed babysitting Brett and Laurel’s daughter, Noelle, and couldn’t wait to get her on skis. One topic flowed naturally to another. When their main course, filet mignon with mashed potatoes and glazed vegetables, arrived and they ate, they continued talking in between bites. Any silence was natural, not awkward.

Ry couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed a meal as much as this one.

A chocolate torte topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries was the fourth and final course served.

She eyed the dessert with longing. “If I eat all this, I won’t fit in my racing suit tomorrow.”

“Have a bite or two,” he urged. “Then take the rest to your room.”

“If I do that, I’ll eat it all.”

“You could share,” he suggested.

“Yes, but”—the tip of her pink tongue darted out and wet her lips—“I’m not sure I would.”

“Being honest is a good trait to have.” He tasted the cake. “I don’t think I want to share if I have leftovers.”

“Told ya.” She ate a bite before sighing. “I’ve died and gone to Heaven.”

Staring at her, Ry felt the same way. This was a dinner between two friends, but the romantic atmosphere made it feel more like a date. That should bother him more than it did.

To stop him from saying anything embarrassing, he shoved another forkful of cake in his mouth. He enjoyed the chocolate, but he would rather taste Brynn’s kiss.

Ry stared over the rim of the flute. “What are your plans after the competition?”

“I’ll fly to Park City and see what happens next. Though I’m sure what’s coming.” She sounded more resigned than upset.

“There’s year-round skiing on Mount Hood.”

She nodded. “Timberline was one of the official training sites for PyeongChang.”

“It’s near Portland. I learned to ski there.”

Brynn wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Lucky you.”

“You should come.” The invitation burst out.

“To Portland?”

“Yes.” Palms sweating, he felt as if he was asking a girl out for the first time. The reaction made no sense. He would try again. “My friend Henry has a guest house. It’s empty, and you could stay for free while you figure things out. You’d have skiing nearby. I’m there, too.”

Man, that sounded stupid aloud. Ry grabbed his water glass and finished what was left. He should have practiced what he wanted to say instead of blurting it out.

Her nose scrunched. “You wouldn’t mind if I was in Portland?”

“I wouldn’t have mentioned it if I would. And don’t forget we’re BFFs now.”

She laughed, but it didn’t sound natural.

Ry’s stomach clenched. He’d gone about this all wrong, making things awkward between them, which was the last thing he wanted. “It was just an idea. You don’t have to decide this weekend. I’m sure you have other choices.”

Hope shined on her face. “Not really, so I appreciate the offer.”

He wanted to kiss her troubles away. He wanted… “You could keep your spot on the team.”

Amusement twinkled in her eyes. She half laughed. “I might have better luck buying a lottery ticket.”

At least she hadn’t lost her sense of humor.

“Never say never.” He noticed her fork lay on the cake plate. “Finished?”

She nodded. “The dinner was mouthwateringly good, but I can’t eat another bite.”

Ry stood, went around the table to pull out Brynn’s chair, and helped her stand.

“Thanks for tonight.” She didn’t let go of his hand.

Before he could say anything, she placed her lips against his. Soft, warm, chocolatey. The kiss was almost shy, which made him cherish it—Brynn—more. He allowed her to lead and forced himself not to touch her or press his mouth firmer against hers.

She drew the kiss to an end, still holding his hand. “A perfect end to a perfect evening.”

There was so much he wanted to say about tonight and her coming to Portland, but this wasn’t the time. Not with the final race tomorrow. Her mind needed to be focused on skiing, nothing else, especially him.

The coaches and doctors hadn’t mentioned if Brynn could compete, but she acted as if racing was a done deal, so he would follow her lead.

They told Martin goodnight, and then Ry escorted Brynn to her room.

“Thanks again for tonight.” She was radiant.

Standing outside her door, he kissed her, hard and fast. That was all he dared at the moment. She needed to rest, and he should leave her alone.

He hugged her before taking a step away from her. “I want you to do three things for tomorrow’s race: Stay focused. Go fast. Finish strong.”

She repeated the words to him. “How’d I do?”

“Perfect.” Smiling, he touched the tip of her nose with his finger. “You’ve got this.”

“I hope so.” A grin flashed on her lovely face. “Might be better, if I say, yes, I do.”

“Much better.” He wanted her to exude confidence, the way she had earlier in the season when she’d been unstoppable. The women’s giant slalom was her last race of the championships. This was her time to shine, to show the coaches she deserved a spot on the team. “Nothing will get in the way tomorrow.”

“I have nothing to prove to anybody, except…myself.” She crossed her fingers.

“You don’t need that kind of luck.” He thought about her bruises, her parents being together for the first time in over twenty-five years, and the giant slalom. “You’ve got this.”

If anyone could succeed, Brynn could. He’d never met a woman like her. He wished they had more…time. Maybe if she agreed to come to Portland, they would.