He smirks. “Save it. I’ve forgiven you. I’m ready to get back to how things used to be. Doesn’t mean it’s not still weird though.”
“Which part?”
“All of it. You fucking my ex. Our parents getting married. You being here. Us talking like adults. Me not wanting to punch you in the face.”
I raise my beer. “Progress. I’ll toast to that.”
“I have missed you,” he admits. “I sometimes think about the old days, when we didn’t have to worry about anything but where we’d be skiing for the upcoming season. The slopes here were great last season.”
I grin. “Remember when you thought a black diamond meant to go as fast as possible?”
He smirks. “Remember your backflip attempt off the lift?”
“Hey, I landed that shit with flying colors.”
“Yeah. You landed on your face in front of all those college girls.” He grins.
“Didn’t stop them from coming to my room,” I say, waggling my brows. “We were fearless idiots. Sometimes, I wonder how we survived half of that.”
“You were an idiot. I was following your lead every single time.”
It feels good to chat and laugh, like old times. It makes me believe that we can salvage something from the wreckage.
“So,” Zane says too casually, “how long are you staying?”
“Until November first. I’m on permanent vacation until Asher lets me return.”
“Uh-oh. Do I even want to know what you did?” His eyebrows rise.
“I crashed out in a meeting about the human experience,” I admit, not regretting it. “CEO was a punk. Asher said I needed a break. So, here I am.”
I’m not ready to admit my brother thinks I’m a ghost.
Zane smirks. “Good choice. When I showed up last season, I wore the same expression you did. Now look at me.”
I pick at the beer label. “Yeah, this time, I’m hoping to deal with shit instead of running from it.”
“Plan to see Jules?”
My hand stills. “I invited her to have dinner with me.”
He considers me for a long moment, then grabs two more beers. “You know that’s Autumn’s bestie …”
“I’m not here to use her. It’s not like that with us. We just …talk.”
“Good.” He slides the beer across the counter. “Because Autumn will make you regret your life choices, and I won’t be able to stop her.”
As if summoned by her name, the front door swings open.
Bags rustle, and Autumn immediately speaks. “Zane, my love! I was just at the coffee shop, and you’ll never believe who—” Autumn rounds the corner and stops dead in her tracks. “Oh. You’re here.”
“Long time no see,” I offer.
Autumn stalks into the kitchen with determination, setting everything down on the counter. She kisses Zane hello, but her eyes assess me.
“You’re back,” she says.
“Here I am.”
