Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Logan grins, emphasizing his boyish charm. “I could be lured to the bar with two pretty ladies, sure.”
Simone laughs, but I’m already scanning the restaurant, taking in the high-vaulted ceilings and bold artwork on the walls. Cristiano told me they commissioned a local Ibiza artist to create the geometric paintings, and the large hanging sculpture in the center of the space was done by the same artist as well.
Cristiano is now standing near the sculpture, surrounded on all sides—the center of the universe. Juan Carlos and Daniella are still with him, but I don’t recognize the others in their group. They could be anyone: investors, journalists, guests. My first instinct is to stay right where I am, but then I look down and catch sight of my tattoo. Right. Point taken. Just because the night has started strange doesn’t mean I have to let my feelings get the better of me.
With newfound resolve, I decide to steel myself and go over now, to let Cristiano know I’m here even if he’s too busy to talk. I tell Simone my plan, then start to slice through the crowd, but I’m only a quarter of the way there when an older woman comes up to Cristiano so she can steal him away and introduce him to two men who seem extremely eager to meet him.
Feeling deflated, I turn back around just in time to reach the bar and accept a cocktail from Logan. Simone’s nowhere in sight.
“Your friend said you might like that drink. It’s one of their signature cocktails.”
I dig deep to produce a friendly smile. It’s not Logan’s fault I’m having an off night. “Thank you. Where did she go?”
“Bathroom.”
There’s an awkward lull where Logan and I both take a sip and survey the crowd before glancing back at each other. He tips his head and grins. “So you’re American, too? Where from?”
It turns out Logan is a Colorado native and spent eight years as a sports journalist before he decided to switch gears. My parents have a house in Vail, and it blows our minds when we figure out Logan grew up only thirty minutes away. He recognizes their cross streets and his brows almost hit his hairline. “What are you, royalty? Those houses are insane.”
I cringe. “Yeah, some of them are pretty big…” I sip my drink and look away, trying to downplay things.
Logan’s nice enough not to pry, shifting into a different topic when it’s clear I’m slightly uncomfortable. It’s fun to rehash memories of our favorite runs in the Blue Sky Basin.
“I haven’t been to Vail in years, though. I’m a little rusty. Isn’t there one called Lover’s Leap?”
He smiles. “Yeah, it’s a black diamond. I’ve wiped out there a few times, actually.”
“Yes! That’s right!”
I crack up as I retell the time my dad accidentally put Winnie and me on the wrong chair lift and we somehow ended up at the top of Lover’s Leap when we were eight and nine years old.
“What’d you do?” Logan laughs.
“We took one look and immediately decided we’d break our necks if we tried to ski down it, so we just sat in the snow near the lift and waited for someone to come rescue us. We really thought we were going to die up there.”
“How long were you stranded?”
“Probably only thirty minutes, but it felt like a lifetime! I remember my sister digging around in her snow bib. She found a half-eaten granola bar and we were discussing plans for how to ration it throughout the day.”
I’m still laughing about it when I glance across the room, keeping my usual tabs on Cristiano. How many beautiful women surround him now? How many people are waiting patiently for his attention?
Only, when I turn this time, I find Cristiano is scowling in my direction. His jaw is clenched in annoyance and his dark gaze is so intense I shiver.
Is he upset? With me?
What have—
Then Logan leans in to ask if I want another drink, and suddenly I understand the issue. Cristiano warned me he is the jealous type. Clearly, he’s annoyed to see me with Logan, which is ridiculous because what am I supposed to do? Wait in the wings, hoping for a morsel of his attention? Eagerly rush to him after he’s done letting Daniella hang on his arm all night?
I know this is his big grand opening and he has a lot of people he has to greet as the owner and host. I can respect that and keep my distance, but he can’t be frustrated that I’ve made a friend.
“Um, sure, another drink would be great.”
I chance a quick glance back in Cristiano’s direction to see him lean toward a security guard and speak quietly. Just as Simone returns from the bathroom, the guard arrives at my side.
“Miss?”
I smile gently. “Yes?”