My Favorite Souvenir(7)

That surprised me. “Really?”

“Yep.”

“So why are you staying at a hotel?”

“I don’t live here anymore. I was just visiting my parents and some friends. They live on the outskirts of town, and I wanted to spend a few days here in the heart of things.”

“Where do you live now?”

“Seattle.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a high school music teacher.”

Not sure why, but that warmed my heart. I had the best memories of my music teachers, who were part of my early inspiration to pursue a career in music photography.

“Really? That’s so cool.”

“Well, I try to be cool, but generally my students can see through me.”

Damn. I could only imagine how many hormonal teenage girls had a crush on this guy. I was starting to feel a little like one of those girls the more I stared at him. He was sexy in a grungy way, his hair a perfect, tousled mess. There seemed to be a permanent glimmer in his eyes when he looked at me, a bit scrutinizing and a lot sexy. And don’t get me started on those lips, so full. They were quite distracting.

I shook my head, because the last thing I needed was to start fantasizing about some stranger I wouldn’t see after tomorrow.

I cleared my throat. “Wow, okay. So, we’ve both worked in fields that involve music—you in a much different capacity, of course.”

“Well, naturally, when you said you were a music photographer, my ears perked up. Except I chaperone field trips on school buses, whereas you were gallivanting on tour buses. The latter sounds much more exciting.”

I sighed. “It was.”

“I assume you dated some of the musicians?”

“Only one. Herbie Allen. The drummer for Snake. Ever hear of him?”

“Yeah, sure. Whatever happened with that?”

“We dated for a couple of months, and then I decided staying with a musician would ultimately end in heartbreak. I was scared to get hurt, so I broke up with him. Real ironic, considering my conservative fiancé was the one who ultimately broke my heart. I probably would’ve been safer with Herbie. At least that would have been more what-you-see-is-what-you-get.” I shook the thought away. “Anyway, tell me how you ended up becoming a music teacher.”

He stared at me for a few seconds. “That might be a story for another time.”

I shook my head. “There’s not going to be another time. We won’t see each other after today.”

He winked. “The night is young, sister.”

Who is this man and why am I so captivated by him that I almost completely forgot I was snowed in at this damn hotel? Why am I telling him my life story?

I had so many other questions for “Milo,” but he soon changed the subject back to me.

“So, who are you really, Maddie?”

Moving the last of my cocktail around in the glass, I answered honestly. “I’m not sure anymore, Milo. I’m really not. I feel very lost right now, like I don’t know which direction to take my life.” I looked up at him. “But at this moment, I’m quite happy to just be Maddie, to forget about my troubles for a while.”

“Then Maddie you shall remain.” He smiled. “Whatever makes you happy. Think of our time here as a little adventure.”

“I’d like that. Mr. Hooker.”

“Very well, Ms. Hooker.”

I sighed. “I lost my sense of adventure over the past few years. I have wondered if my fiancé calling off the wedding might have been a sign I was headed in the wrong direction. Every day had become the same as the last. And as much as I appreciated the stability, I don’t know if that kind of life is in my nature.”

“That’s my girl. Look at what happened as your ticket out—on to bigger and better things. I can see the need for adventure in your eyes.”

“What does a need for adventure look like? A tired, crazy person?”

He just laughed.

We stayed at the bar, enjoying our conversation for a while longer until we decided to call it a night. Milo left Ed a huge tip before we walked together back toward the elevators.

After arriving at our adjacent hotel rooms, we lingered before entering.

I was the first to speak. “Well…it was nice chatting. Thank you for the drinks.”

Despite my essentially saying goodbye, we continued to stay in our spots.

Milo suddenly shook his head. “No.”

I was confused. “No?”

“This can’t be how it ends—I go back to my room. You go back to yours. We fall asleep and then part ways in the morning. You said you wanted adventure, right?”

My heart sped up. “What do you have in mind, Mr. Hooker?”

“You have your camera with you?”

“Of course. What kind of a photographer would I be without my camera?”

His mouth curved into a mischievous grin. “Good. Grab it. Then meet me down in the lobby in about ten minutes. Wear your coat and dress warm.”





Chapter 3




* * *



Matteo



She said she wanted adventure; I planned to give it to her.

I wanted to see if I could put a smile on her face. This girl—whoever she was—had gotten a raw deal. Why not make the best of being stuck in Vail? There were worse locations to be trapped. If anyone knew how to make the most of this place, it was me. Though I hadn’t lived here permanently for years, I still had a major in at one of the best attractions in town.