Linda Hudson-Smith - Forsaking All Others

Jessica shook her head. “Not sure about that yet.”

“Still scared of heights, huh? How’d you manage to get up to this elevation without losing it?”

“Is there nothing sacred with my parents? How much do they tell you about me?”

Laughing, Weston shrugged. “I actually got that one from Mom, who got it from yours. But I remember your reaction to getting up on the monkey bars when we were kids. You weren’t having any part of it.”

“God forbid that you should remember all the bad stuff.”

“I do remember the past. But this is now. I’m for making new memories, good ones. What about you?”

“Didn’t you say you were leaving?”

“What I said was I know when I’ve worn my welcome out.” He stretched out his hand to her. “Come on and walk me next door. If we’re to have a good day tomorrow, we’d better get plenty of rest.”

“I agree. Sledding is more appealing to me than skiing. I hope you’ll join me. Don’t give me an answer right now. Sleep on it.”

Weston gave Jessica his brightest, sexiest smile. “You have no idea what I plan to sleep on tonight while sleeping in nothing. Care to star in my wildest fantasies?”

Jessica jumped to her feet. “Let me see you out. You’ve gotten punchy.”

“It happens. I’m overly tired.”

“Tell me about it!”

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know. All you have to do is ask.”

Jessica smiled smugly. “Gee, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jessica lay comfortably in bed. As she thought about all the things that had transpired between her and Weston, she wondered if maybe they’d gotten too friendly too quickly. Many of his remarks to her after the walk and the game of Scrabble had become extremely flirtatious. Maybe so, but she had liked the attention.

Care to star in my wildest fantasies? had flattered the heck right out of her, not to mention that sexy little smile of his. Had there been real sexual connotations in his comments? She sure hoped so.

Deep down inside her heart Jessica hoped that Weston found her as sexy as she did him. She was trying hard not to come up with any reasons she couldn’t or shouldn’t get romantically involved with him. Surprisingly, she wasn’t terrified of her feelings for him. Being attracted to him before, with no favorable outcome, didn’t make a good case for compromising her feelings again.

Of course, Jessica had been barely a teenager then. She hadn’t known the first thing about true love, yet she had been impressionable. His cruel treatment had hurt her pretty badly. Still, she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. He hadn’t known any more about love than she had. They had been kids, for goodness’ sake.

Weston hadn’t shown an ounce of cruelty toward her this evening; quite the contrary. If she had gotten the signals right, he definitely had a romantic interest in her. The feelings were mutual. It hadn’t gotten past Jessica when both had said they wouldn’t want to live anyplace other than where they now resided. She couldn’t imagine how they’d ever have a long-distance relationship. It wasn’t like they’d be living a couple of hours apart; they lived on totally opposite coasts.

This was merely a vacation. Jessica felt foolish entertaining the idea of anything happening beyond the holiday. Enjoy this time and move on, she quietly told herself. Make the best of the next ten days. Then give Weston a warm farewell hug. With her mind made up not to take anything too serious, she closed her eyes, hoping to fall right off to sleep. Tomorrow had already been ushered in. It was well after midnight.

Weston had been tossing and turning for over two hours. Thoughts of Jessica had nearly consumed him. It wasn’t a problem to admit being quite intrigued with her. What to do about it was his biggest dilemma. It was hard not to look ahead to when they’d part company. She’d go back to Los Angeles and he back to New York City. Not seeing her again after Aspen troubled him, despite the nine days of vacation they had left.

For a few moments Weston wondered if he could possibly live in Los Angeles after his parents moved there. It didn’t take him long to realize he was acting downright ridiculous. It was silly to give the idea any more thought. Nothing assured him that he and Jessica would hit it off so much that either would consider moving to be near the other. He was way ahead of himself and he vowed to stop the mad thinking run before it drove him insane.

Weston quickly decided that he and Jessica would enjoy each other while in Aspen. That would be the end of it. They might even find other people they were attracted to while on vacation. No one really knew what would happen. They would be meeting a lot of different people at the numerous social functions planned by their parents. After Weston plumped his pillow for the umpteenth time, he settled down in bed, falling asleep minutes after he completely turned off his thoughts.

The sun was high, seeming to shine brighter than Jessica had ever seen before. The resort was covered in a glistening white blanket from the previous night’s snowfall. It was like stepping into a fairy-tale village nestled snugly between tall mountain ranges.

The waiter at Café Aspen had already given Jessica and Weston breakfast menus. The café was only a couple of miles down the road from the resort. Weston had taken a quick jaunt to the men’s room, leaving Jessica at the table.

The two families had gotten up bright and early to hit the slopes. Sahara had prepared breakfast for the ski group before they’d taken off, excited to get the adventurous day under way.

Jessica reflected on how quiet Weston had been on the drive to the café, wondering what that meant. He hadn’t made one flirtatious comment, yet he’d held her hand on the way to the car. The kind gesture might have been to keep her upright. She had been slipping and sliding all over the place. If his attitude changed toward her, she hoped she’d know how to get him back into the fun, flirtatious mode she enjoyed tremendously.

Jessica and Weston planned to go sledding later since she had chickened out on skiing. She had to take things slow. She had already conquered her fears enough to get up the mountain. Jumping on a ski lift? She wasn’t there, though proud of what she had already accomplished.

Both sets of parents had requested Jessica and Weston’s presence when they went into town to pick out the Christmas tree. It was a family tradition in both households to pick out the tree together—and later to trim it.

The warmth on the back of Jessica’s neck caused her to look up. Her heart leaped at the beautiful smile on Weston’s face.

“I heated my hands by the fire. Did they warm you?”

Jessica smiled and nodded. “Sure did. Where is the fireplace?”

“A cozy room in back of the place.” Weston took a seat. “Lots of tables for dining, but the room is empty. Want me to ask if we can eat back there?”

“I’d like that. The employees likely fill up the outer rooms first.”

“You’re probably right, but it won’t hurt to ask. I can be pretty persuasive.”

Jessica didn’t doubt that. “Go for it.”

Jessica looked after Weston as he walked away. She could hear his fine body screaming out her name. She loved the beautiful black-and-white Italian knit sweater he wore with a pair of dark wool pants, casual in style. He had earlier complimented Jessica on her navy-blue wool sweater and slacks, and a crisp white shirt. Her thick-soled winter boots were burgundy in color.

Weston had yet another huge smile on his face as he winked at Jessica. “I’m good, girl. You have no idea.”

Jessica laughed. “Oh, I think I do. Incredible charm runs in your family.”

“Come with me. The hostess said to take any table we want. She also said we might be the only ones dining there. As you can see, they’re not busy this morning. Are you okay with that?”