Lie, Lie Again(90)

She sniffed. “He’s really not. It’s just . . . I think he had an idea of how this trip would go, but he forgot he was bringing me, not some super-athletic and spontaneous girl. I’m clumsy and a planner.”

A smile tugged his lips. “Do you want me to take you back to your condo?”

“That’d be great. Thanks.”

“And I apologize for sticking my nose in. I just . . .” He shook his head.

“It’s okay. You’ve been really nice.”

He tapped a hand against the door. “Let me tell Samantha up front we’re done here, and I’ll run you to your rental.”

This time when Riki buckled her seat belt, she wasn’t worried about checking the locks. Dr. Hart had changed from his doctor’s coat, and he suddenly looked like a guy. Like a hot guy who’d jumped right off a Hollister ad. Oh my God, she thought. He’s just spent an hour seeing me with makeup smeared down my face and messy hair. She snuck a look at him as he turned on the engine. His hands were strong but somehow elegant as they rested casually on the wheel. No white-knuckle driving for him.

“Are you staying near the slopes?”

“Yeah. I can’t remember exactly where the condo is, but maybe you can drop me at the lodge bar? That’s where my friends are.” She paused to take a breath. “It’s really nice of you to do this.”

He stole a glance at her and grinned. “You’ve had a tough day. I’m just trying to help it end on a good note.”

What a nice guy, she thought. He was so much more of an adult than a lot of guys she knew. Confident and capable. “Thanks.” She leaned her head against the soft leather of the seat. “You’ve accomplished that. In fact, listening to music with you while you . . . well, while you stitched—that word still grosses me out—was strangely the best part of the day.”

He laughed. “That is strange. But good. Makes me happy.”

A warm feeling ebbed through her as she gazed out the window. The light of day had been replaced by a blanket of darkness. “It’s so pretty. I could look at the falling snow for hours.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “You’re lucky to live up here.”

“It is magical. That’s for sure. You said you live in LA?” he asked as they pulled into the lodge parking lot.

“Yeah, I . . .” She stopped midsentence and leaned forward. A group of guys, hands shoved in pockets and heads down, was crossing to the bar. It was hard to determine if it was her group or not, but as they drew closer, she could tell it wasn’t them after all. “I thought those guys were my friends, but I guess not.”

“Do you want me to help you find them?”

Yes! Stay. But an image of an annoyed look on Chris’s face popped into her mind, forcing her to decline his offer. “Thanks, but I’m okay.” She bit her lip, wondering if she should say, If you’re ever in LA, give me a call. Here’s my number. The thought alone made her heart race so fast, she knew it was a bad idea. What if he looked at her like a child and gave her a pitying smile? He was clearly just a nice guy. So instead, she said, “Have a good night.”

“You too. And keep an eye on your stitches. Take it easy, okay?”

She let herself out of the car and walked into the lodge. Calvin spotted her first. He waved a hand high above his head and called her name. Riki straightened her jacket and strode toward the table. Evelyn hopped from her seat and rushed toward her. “Oh my God! We were so worried. I saw I had a missed call from you when I finally was able to charge my phone. Where’d you go?”

“I was at the urgent care. I texted Chris and called him too. I guess his phone died.”

Evelyn gripped her by the arms and scanned her up and down, looking for a sling or cast, Riki presumed. “What the hell? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I had to get some stitches.” She pulled down the zipper of her jacket enough to give Evelyn a look.

“You poor thing!” She led her to the table, a firm grip on her arm. “Chris! Did you know your girlfriend was injured?”

He looked up with a droopy gaze. “Huh? Oh, hey, Riki!” He scrambled off the barstool and tripped his way to her. “Where’d you go? I checked the condo, but you weren’t there.”

Riki sighed. Evelyn glared at Chris before wedging her way back to the empty stool next to Liam. “I tried telling you, but you were too busy ordering drinks.” She revealed her puffy bandage, half hoping he’d pass out.

A nervous laugh fell from his lips. “What?”

“I got hurt, and I tried calling you, but you weren’t there.” The entire group was now leaning forward over their drinks, edging in to hear. She felt like a circus freak.

“Dude, you suck,” Eddie said loudly. “I told you that you should’ve waited when she didn’t show up after that run.” He shook his head and turned his eyes to Riki. “If I were dating you, I would’ve waited.”

Chris eyed him, and for a scary second, Riki thought a fight might break out. But then Chris eased out a chuckle. “A girl like Riki would never date a guy like you. And, dude, we got separated in the snow. It happens.” He grabbed Riki by the hand and led her to the semiquiet foyer of the bar.

Relief and rage stormed inside Riki. Rage won. She pulled her hand from his. “A stranger had to take me to the urgent care. And the freaking doctor brought me back here. I kept telling everyone that you would call, that it would be fine, but you didn’t. And it’s not fine, Chris. You just left me because Evelyn mentioned Brandon. What the hell is that about?” He shifted his feet and hung his head like a contrite little boy. “Can’t you even say something?”