Waiting for Willa (Big Sky, #3)(62)

“That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”

Christian drives us up the mountain, and I call Brad, Jacob, and Noah, telling them to meet us up there.

Jacob and Noah are already there, of course.

“We have to take advantage of the snow before the runs close down on Monday,” I say to Jacob as he and Noah, along with Jacob’s friend, Sebastian, approach. “Brad’s on his way up. He’ll catch us on the second run.”

“You read my mind,” Jacob says. “You remember Sebastian?”

“You bet. Why do I get the feeling I know you?”

Christian snickers beside me. “Because he was in the same People magazine issue you were.”

I frown, then it hits me. “Shit, you’re Prince Sebastian.”

“We can just keep it at Sebastian for now,” he replies with a smile. “It’s been nice to have some anonymity.”

“I bet,” I reply. “It’s one of the things I like about Cunningham Falls. There are celebrities roaming about, but the locals don’t care.”

“How long are you in town for?” Christian asks him as we retrieve our skis from the back of his SUV, then walk to the chairlift.

“I haven’t decided,” Sebastian replies. “I just got into town about a week ago, and so far, I don’t want to leave.”

“You’ll fall in love with it,” Noah warns him, clapping him on the shoulder. “Okay, boys, which run should we take first?”

“Let’s do chair five first, then meet with Brad and take it from there,” I suggest.

The snow is perfect, light powder. It’s cold, but there’s no wind, so the skiing conditions are ideal.

Once Brad joins us, we spend the next three hours on the slopes, laughing and enjoying each other. Because it’s so late in the season, most of the tourists have gone home, giving us plenty of room to play.

I know that Willa doesn’t love skiing, but it’s so freeing. It’s like flying, and it’s always been something I crave. No matter how long I was away from home, I always longed to be back here, flying down the mountain.

“This mountain is bloody brilliant,” Sebastian says, breathing hard as he pulls his goggles off. “I’ve skied in the Alps, all over the world, really, and I’d say this ranks at the top.”

“It’s a hidden gem,” Jacob says. “Not as hidden as it used to be.”

“And that’s both good and bad for the locals,” Noah replies with a shrug. “For many people, it’s driven the property taxes so high they can’t afford to live here.”

“And yet, it’s also provided a lot of jobs and opportunities that weren’t here before,” I add. “It’s a catch-22.”

“Either way, I love to ski on it,” Sebastian replies. “And I’d like to take you all out for dinner, if you’re free.”

“I am,” Noah says with a grin.

“Unfortunately for you, but fortunate for me because I’m a lucky bastard, I’d best get home to Grace. She’s been with the baby all day, every day. Now that the season is winding down, I need to be home more.”

“I need to head home, too,” Brad says. “But thanks for the offer. I’ll see you tomorrow, guys.”

“Christian?”

“I’m getting married tomorrow,” he reminds us. “If I don’t go home to help Jenna, she might murder me in my sleep.”

“What about you, Max?”

I start to answer, but before I can, everything goes black.





Chapter Nineteen


Willa


“YOU GOT SO LUCKY,” I say, looking up at Jenna. I’m squatting in front of her, pinning the hemline of her wedding dress. “I can’t believe it’s just the hem that needs to be done. Otherwise, it fits like a glove.”

We’re in my shop, in the back room that I have set up for private fittings and parties. Sometimes, girls like to shop privately, and I’m more than happy to accommodate them. So, I have a beautiful, antique, three-way mirror with a pedestal set up in the middle of the space, and chairs in the corners.

“It’s so beautiful,” Jenna breathes. It’s just the two of us on this Friday afternoon, fussing over her dress. “And I can’t believe how much Max and Nina are doing to help get ready. Did you know he commissioned Brooke to take over as the planner?”

“Yes, he told me last night,” I mutter around the pins between my lips. “He’s excited for you.”

“It’s so fun. And exactly what I wanted. I know that Christian’s fans are hoping for a big spread in a magazine, but we’re private people.”

“And it’s none of their damn business,” I reply, moving to the other side of her. “I have news.”

“What’s that?”

“Max asked me to marry him.”

The hem is yanked out of my hands as Jenna spins around and pulls me to my feet, hugging me with all her might.

“Holy shit! Oh my God, Willa! You’re going to be my sister for real.”

I hold on tight, pure joy surging through my body.

“Why didn’t you call me when he asked?”

“We were having sex at the time,” I say with a laugh.