Reluctantly Yours(94)

My chest is a million pounds lighter, but my heart still aches. I need to find Chloe. I need to tell her I was wrong and beg her to forgive me.

Fred is silent for a moment, then he starts shaking his head.

“I hope Chloe forgives you because there’s no way in hell I’m signing those papers now.”

I nod. That was expected.

Fred storms out of my office and down the hallway.

I don’t waste any time striding out to Bea’s desk.

“I need a plane to Vail. Can you get my flight back on the books?”

She smiles. “I didn’t bother to cancel the first one.”

I glance at my watch. If I can leave in the next hour, I might be able to make it to the reception.

Carl appears a moment later. “What the fuck, man? Fred just stormed out of the signing. He was not happy. What did you say to him?”

“The truth.”

He follows me back into my office where I’m hurriedly collecting my wallet and phone.

“Which is?”

“I found out Frankie was cheating on him.”

“Shit.” Carl rubs his hand along his jaw. “I want to be surprised, but I’m not.”

“Chloe found out that Frankie was cheating and when I refused to tell Fred, she walked.”

“That’s why you’ve been cranky as fuck this week. I had no idea you two broke up.”

“I’ve fucked this whole thing up, but my head’s on straight now. No deal is worth losing Chloe. I have to get her back.”

“Fuck yeah.” Carl pumps his fist in the air. “Um, how are you going to do that?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve got a long plane ride to think about it.”

I don’t bother packing a suitcase, I’ll worry about clothes when I get there. But I do stop by my place to grab Baxter. He’s sleeping in his dog bed in my study, so I pick the whole thing up and load it into the car.

“We’re going on a trip,” I tell him. I’m that guy who talks to his dog now. “We’re getting Chloe back.”

I know honesty is the best policy, but I’m thinking reinforcements never hurt. I’m hoping Baxter’s cuddly, lovable face will help persuade Chloe to give me another chance.





After a six-hour flight, Baxter and I land at Eagle-Vail airport. A forty-minute drive takes us to Lionshead Village at the base of Vail. The two whiskeys I had to get me through the plane ride have worn off, leaving me with a dull ache in my head. Baxter nudges at my hand.

“Don’t worry, buddy. We’ll get her back.” I’m staying strong for Baxter. I have no idea what Chloe will say when she sees us.

My late flight time means I’ve missed most if not all of the ceremony.

I guide Baxter as I follow the signs indicating Lauren and Jeff’s wedding until they lead me to the base of the mountain.

“I need to get to Lauren and Jeff’s wedding,” I tell the guy leaning against the small operation booth.

“You’re in the right place.” He nods.

“Great. Where is it?” I ask.

He points his finger upwards. “Up top.”

For the first time I look up at the mountainside in front of me. It’s late July, so the only snow visible is at the top peak. The rest of the mountain is covered in grass and rocks. The ski runs can only be defined by the pine trees gathered on each side of the trail. There’s a dirt path that mountain bikers are currently traversing down.

“What?” I pull my attention from the mountain to look back at the man.

“That’s where the best views are.”

Of course, they are.

“How am I supposed to get there?”

He motions behind me. “Chair lift will take you.”

I watch the chairs swing from the belt as they move up the mountain. There’s no window to shut. Only open air and a thirty-foot drop. My stomach immediately twists, and my palms start to sweat. I can feel the fear taking over. I shake my head. No fucking way.

Beside me, Baxter watches the chairs moving, his tail wagging with excitement. I can tell he’s dying to go for a ride.

“They’re coming down, right?” I ask. I can always wait to talk to Chloe after the ceremony.

He looks at his clipboard. “Reception goes until eleven thirty.”

I glance at my watch. It’s seven. Fucking hell. I’m going to have to ride this chair lift if I want to see Chloe. Or wait four hours.

I watch a young family board the lift. Surely those parents wouldn’t be taking their children on that if it were a death trap. The logic is there, but where heights are concerned, my brain doesn’t do logic.

I think of Chloe at the Eiffel Tower. How she encouraged me to face the fear. She held my hand and helped me focus on my breathing. I felt like I could do it when she was with me. But now she’s at the top of this mountain and I don’t even know if she’ll see me if I happen to make it up there.

Baxter licks my hand, then moves toward the lift. Without hesitation, he jumps on the chair that is swinging around. The lift operator presses the button to halt the chair’s progress.

“Dude, are you getting on?” he calls. “Your dog can’t ride alone.”

Trying to steady my shaking hands, I ball them into fists and take a breath.