He blushed. Good grief, her sister made him blush. Of course she did. Amy was sweet and pretty and beloved. She didn’t have to do anything other than breathe to cast a spell on a man. And now she stood before Andy, wearing her red dress with its sash belt and bow, presenting herself like some inviting Christmas gift.
“Thanks, Amy.”
Said so casually, just as someone who was used to being told he was good-looking would. What that must feel like, Nikki would never know.
When Amy ran a hand through his bangs, he tensed. “You need a haircut. Come by and I’ll give you a discount.”
“You sayin’ my flow isn’t cool?” He chuckled.
“Flow is clichéd. Let me whip this gorgeous hair into a style that flatters you. Not that you need help to look good.”
Andy’s genuine smile reappeared.
Nikki wanted to hate her sister for how easily she could flirt and make people feel good. But who could hate Amy? Her sister was good-hearted and had no idea about Nikki’s crush on Andy, because she’d hidden it, especially after he’d shot her down. Then, when she’d become both the youngest and the first female head of the ski school, she wouldn’t risk her professional reputation on the mere chance that his feelings for her had changed.
“I haven’t seen you on the dance floor yet.” Amy stood there, waiting to be asked.
“Actually, I was just about to drag your sister out there.” He flashed his toothy grin at them both.
Amy’s cheerful expression faltered for the barest fraction of a second. It was sort of priceless, and Nikki might’ve enjoyed the role reversal a little too much if it hadn’t been for the fear throbbing throughout her entire body. Dance? Even without the swollen toes and the clown stilts for shoes, she’d never been light-footed.
Andy stood and held out his hand. How could she say no?
She hoped she didn’t wince when she forced her feet back into those shoes. Taking his hand, she was grateful he was leading her through the crowd because at least he couldn’t see her limping behind him.
“The Girl from Ipanema” started playing—such a cheesy, sad song about unrequited desire. Come to think of it, maybe it should be my secret theme song. The stray thought fell to the side when Andy twirled her around and into his arms.
Every part of her body came alert to his touch, his heat, his scent, making her temporarily forget about her foot pain. She couldn’t even focus on counting the beats or avoid trampling his feet. Smile and roll with it—the only options.
His fingers settled lower on her spine as he tugged her a little closer. She nearly froze in place, but he somehow kept her swaying along with him. Exquisite torment, that’s what this was. So close she could feel his breath on the side of her face—the good side, fortunately. Still . . . torment. If only she affected him in any way that mirrored her galloping pulse or rising body temperature. Was that too much to ask of a Christmas wish?
She tried not to think too hard about the nearby mistletoe even as she yearned to end up beneath it.
“How’s the crew shaping up this year?” he asked.
Thank God. Conversation about something she could talk about without thinking. “Not many surprises, although Digger finally retired.”
Andy whistled. “About time. He had a hard time shifting to newer techniques.”
She chuckled. “Let’s just say clients weren’t begging for him lately.”
“I bet.” The warm twinkle in his eyes nearly melted every single one of her bones.
He then twirled her away before yanking her back, snug against his chest. God, he smelled terrific. What might he taste like? Oh, no. Please let that one be a silent thought.
A queer sort of hesitancy crossed his face. “So, if Digger’s gone, any chance you’re looking to replace him?”
The hopefulness in his gaze obliterated her romantic daydreams with a hefty dose of reality. Of course he hadn’t been affected by her touch or interested in dancing with her for fun. This had all been about the job.
It sucked to have to hide her hurt feelings, but hide them she would. She couldn’t even be mad, because he’d never done or said anything misleading. He’d just been Andy—a cute, flirty, friendly guy, as always. “Yes. I need to replace him.”
Following the briefest pause, he joked, “I know someone who’s available and dying to come back.”
He playfully dipped her without warning, so she had to clutch his shoulders to avoid falling. That mistletoe hung just overhead as he held her like that for an extra heartbeat, but she said nothing.
After he brought her upright, they stood still for a second, staring at each other. Then he seemed to shake himself out of whatever or wherever he went and picked up the beat again.
She didn’t respond to his unsubtle sales pitch until the final notes of the saxophone rang. “It’s complicated.”
“I know. I was hoping my stellar employment history would be grounds for an exception regarding the rule against hiring instructors with criminal records.” His cheeks and neck were now flushed.
She imagined his shame at having to look his friends in the eye and make those kinds of statements. That record would stick to him like flypaper for a long time. “It’s not up to me, you know. I’d have to go out on a limb with Don to get clearance.” Don, the head of HR for the resort, did things by the book 99.99 percent of the time. Chances were high that he wouldn’t be easily persuaded to give Andy a second chance.
Andy waved his hands, quickly hiding the disappointment she’d seen cross his face. “It’s okay, Nik. Forget I said anything.”
Another song had begun, but instead of drawing her back into his arms, he nodded toward the dining room, a false grin fixed in place. “Time for another drink?”
She was about to say “Sure” when Kelsey and Trip appeared.
“Hey, Nikki. Can I steal Andy for a dance before he disappears? I want to talk to him about a surprise baby shower for Avery.” Kelsey thrust Trip at her. “Trade you for three minutes, maybe four.”
“He’s all yours.” Nikki handed Andy off to Kelsey, who’d been close friends with Andy and Avery since childhood.
Plenty of young, local women picked on Kelsey’s tendency to be a little over the top with her clothes and such. Nikki figured most of those women were jealous of Kelsey’s bombshell beauty. In contrast, Nikki felt an odd kinship with her. She empathized with her for being judged for her sexy appearance instead of for the warm, hardworking person inside. Chances were high that before Kelsey married Trip and had their daughter, Dani, she’d probably been as lonely as Nikki. The perverse comparison almost made Nikki laugh.
“Lucky me!” Kelsey laughed and grabbed Andy’s hand, dragging him to the middle of the floor, leaving Nikki with Trip.
Trip was several inches taller than Nikki. Rarely did she get to look up at a man’s eyes, although in this case that could be lethal. Trip’s green irises lit up with the kind of mischief particular to gorgeous, confident, funny men. He’d been quite the lothario when he’d first breezed into town two years ago. No one could believe it when he finally settled down.
“Trip, don’t take this personally, but my feet are killing me. How about we sit this one out?” Nikki grimaced. What woman didn’t want to dance with this guy? If Amy had been standing there, she would’ve fainted.
“No problem,” he said. “I actually need a little break myself. Drink?”
“Hit my limit. I’m better off finding a willing chair.”
“Good luck!” He chuckled, then strolled to the bar, where Grey and Avery were laughing.
Nikki limped away from the dance floor. From the safe distance of the dining room, she spied on Andy through the crowd. Whatever he’d just said to Kelsey caused her to give him a consolation hug.
She thought back to the night of his accident again and how she might’ve prevented everything that had happened to him and to Grey Lowell. It wasn’t exactly her fault, but she wasn’t blameless, either. She’d known better. Wounded pride had led her to make an immature decision. Maybe sticking her neck out for Andy now and getting him that job might soothe her own conscience.
Chapter Three
“I wouldn’t ask, but we’re short-staffed, and the holiday season is here. You know we’re slammed with lesson reservations over the holidays.” Nikki sat in front of Don Greenley’s desk, rubbing her palms against the arms of her chair. Generally speaking, she preferred to make his job easier, not harder. Today, however, she had to do what she felt was right.
Sunlight filtered in through the window behind him, glinting off his enormous bald head. She’d always wondered if he’d grown that bushy beard to compensate for the lack of hair up top.
“People rely on us to stick to our background checks and make sure our instructors don’t have criminal records, Nikki.” Don leaned back in his chair, causing it to squeak. “Breaking that policy could lead to liability.”
“We’re talking about Andy, Don. Stellar work record. Clients love him. His original charges were reduced to misdemeanors, and he’s learned his lesson.” She leaned forward. “From a cost perspective, Andy doesn’t need training. He knows the mountain and the policies here. We still get requests for him from repeat vacationers. And he really needs a second chance.”