One Walk in Winter

by Georgia Beers

  When they finally wrenched apart and stood there, panting like sprinters, foreheads pressed together, Olivia had no idea how much time had passed.

  As if reading her mind, Hayley said quietly, and with a tint of wonder in her voice, “Did we just make out for, like, a year? Or a minute?”

  Olivia chuckled. “Right? I have no clue.”

  “That was…wow.” Hayley shook her head slowly, as if she had no more words. Only awe.

  Olivia smiled, stepped back, and felt something under her boot. She looked down to see Hayley’s gloves on the ground. Her hands had been in Olivia’s hair. She picked them up and handed them over. “We should probably get back,” she said.

  With a nod, Hayley agreed. “You’re right.” She pushed her hands into her gloves. Her answering smile seemed to have dimmed a couple of watts, but Olivia didn’t want to think about that. Instead, she turned and headed down the path and toward the parking lot, so many mixed emotions in her head, she thought she could drown in them.

  She would analyze this later.

  Definitely.

  Over and over and over.

  * * *

  Hayley could’ve stayed on the fairy trail for the entire day. It was true that her fingers were slightly numb from all the picture taking, as she didn’t like to do that with gloves on. It was true that the rest of her was pretty much frozen solid. But the simple joy of discovering the fairy houses—not all of them were in plain sight, but rather needed to be searched for—warmed her from the inside. And kissing Olivia? There was nothing warm about that. No, that was fucking hot.

  They probably shouldn’t have. But right now, Hayley didn’t care. They had and it had been amazing and she wasn’t ready to analyze it or dissect it or let it go. She would simply hang on to it and think about it later.

  Because there was work. Unfortunately. It probably hadn’t been a great idea for the manager and the assistant manager to leave the resort completely at the same time, but Hayley was beyond grateful that they had. Not just for the fairy houses, but for the company and the…rest of it. And they’d only been gone a little over an hour.

  They trudged through the employee entrance at the back, Hayley and Olivia, stomping snow off their boots and greeting various staff—maintenance guys, cleaning folk—who were just starting or just finishing their lunch breaks. Hayley’s inner train of thought went something like this: Hi, staff! How was lunch? Everybody okay? It’s us, your managers. Don’t be silly. Everything is perfectly normal. Of course we weren’t making out in the woods! Why would you say that? Olivia’s cheeks were a rosy pink as she pulled her hat off and unzipped her coat, and when she looked down at Hayley, it took everything in Hayley’s being not to reach out and lay her hand against Olivia’s skin, against her face, and pull her in for another scorching kiss.

  Instead, she said simply, “Thank you so much, Olivia. I really, really needed that.” And before she could second-guess herself, she reached out, wrapped her arms around Olivia, and hugged her. She let herself bask for just a moment in the feel of Olivia’s form under the coat, in the scent of her, that same musk but with a hint of almond. She let her mind remember the softness of Olivia’s mouth, the assertive way she’d trapped Hayley between the tree and her body, and it all forced her to swallow hard. She didn’t look back as she let go and walked down the hall toward the elevators. She didn’t want to see Olivia’s expression then, because it was clear by her silence on the ride home that she maybe wasn’t thrilled about what they’d done.

  Or maybe not. Hayley allowed herself to hold on to one simple fact: Olivia had hugged her back. Tightly.

  Once safely ensconced in the elevator she surprisingly had to herself, she fell against the back wall with a happy sigh. She wanted to bottle this feeling. Keep it somehow so she could take it out and spray it all over herself when she needed it.

  As the earlier conversation with her father filtered back into her brain, she dropped her chin to her chest.

  Because, yeah.

  Sometimes she needed it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ever since the Fairy Trail Incident, as Olivia had taken to calling her ill-advised kiss with Hayley, she’d been reduced to doing one of two things. She either worked harder than a one-armed juggler or she stared off into space. Nothing else. No scintillating conversations. No hanging with friends—she’d been avoiding Tessa, who was most certainly going to kill her at some point in the very near future. She’d tried watching television but found that once she finally decided on a show, after twenty or thirty minutes, she had no idea what was happening. Reading posed a similar problem in that she’d read the same paragraph seventeen times before she retained any of it. She had managed to walk with Walter a few times, but she’d gone to a completely different park, afraid she’d run into Hayley if she went to her usual one.

  The only person she’d told about the Fairy Trail Incident was her mother when she was at her house on Sunday, and she now wished vehemently that she hadn’t. The conversation had been dizzying.

  “You kissed? That’s wonderful!” her mother had said, with enormous excitement, as she rolled meatballs and set them in the electric frying pan.

  “It’s not wonderful, Mama. It’s not wonderful at all.” Olivia shook her head as she used tongs to turn the meatballs that were already browning.

  “Why not? Tell me why it’s not wonderful.”

  “Because,” Olivia stressed and sounded lame even to herself.

  “She’s pretty.” She set another meatball in the hot oil.

  Olivia inhaled a big breath and let it out very slowly before nodding in reluctant agreement. “She definitely is that.”

  “She was lovely on Thanksgiving. Polite. A good conversationalist.”

  “Ma. Enough.”

  “I think it’s wonderful. I like her.”

  And they’d gone around and around like that for what felt like days but was really only the time it took to finish the meatballs.

  Thankfully, Hayley hadn’t seemed to be trying to find her either. Olivia had worked Saturday, and Hayley had worked Sunday, and neither of them bothered the other. At all. More unusual for Hayley, as she lived upstairs, but still. Olivia was grateful.

  And at the same time, a little bit annoyed.

  Whiskey tango foxtrot, Liv? she’d chided herself more than once. She knew she had no right to be upset with Hayley’s lack of contact if Olivia herself wasn’t willing to make an effort either. Maybe Hayley was having the same issue? Olivia sighed. She had no freaking idea.

  It was Monday now, the first day they’d have to be together all day, and so far, they’d managed to do exactly not that. It was almost funny, really, how strategically they’d avoided each other, Olivia finding a reason to go to another part of the resort within five minutes of Hayley coming into the office. Hayley doing the same.

  With a sigh that was almost more of a groan, Olivia returned to her work, tried to focus on the list of emails she should have answered this morning. Now it was after noon.

  She’d only been typing for a few moments before she heard cheerful greetings coming from the front desk, a voice she recognized instantly cutting through the air and coming closer.

  “Hi, sweetie.” Angela Santini breezed into the small outer office, bundled up in her thigh-length down coat and purple knit hat. She held out two Tupperware containers.

  “Are you bringing me lunch?” Olivia hadn’t expected the visit, and her heart warmed.

  “I went by to see my granddog and let him out, so I thought I’d swing by here on my way back to the office and make sure you’re eating.”

  “Mama, you didn’t have to do that. Walter will be okay if he doesn’t get let out at lunch every single day.”

  “Well, who wants to be cooped up for eight hours like that, hmm?” Angela craned her neck to get a better view of the doorway to Hayley’s office. Olivia shook her head.

  “She’s not in there.”

  “Oh, no?”

  “
No, she’s in the back with maintenance going over applications.”

  “She was, but she’s back,” Hayley said, as she walked through the door. “Mrs. Santini, what a nice surprise.”

  It was like they were old friends, and Olivia watched slightly wide-eyed as her mother held out a hand to Hayley and pulled her in for a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so good to see you. How are things going? You getting the hang of it?”

  Hayley grinned and Olivia tried not to stare, but she couldn’t help herself. That stupid grin was gorgeous. Damn her. “I’m learning. Slowly but surely.” Hayley’s gaze shifted to Olivia and held for a beat before she added, “Your daughter’s been amazing at helping me out, though. She’s a good teacher. Very patient. I’m grateful.”

  “She’s a catch, my Olivia, that’s for sure.”

  She did not just say that. Oh, my God. Olivia closed her eyes and willed her mother to leave. She did not. Instead, she held out one of the Tupperware containers toward Hayley.

  “Here you go. I brought you lunch.”

  Hayley’s face lit up like a child who’s just been given a toy she’s wanted for ages. “You did not have to do that. You’re so sweet.”

  “Sunday is sauce day, so there’s rigatoni in there with sauce and a couple meatballs that Olivia helped me make.” She turned and winked at her daughter.

  Olivia poked the inside of her cheek with her tongue and said nothing. Only because she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

  “It just so happens that I’m starving,” Hayley said. “So, thank you.”

  There was a moment when the three of them said nothing, Angela and Hayley smiling at each other, Olivia wishing she was anywhere else. Finally, Angela spoke again.

  “You all ready for Christmas? Where do you go?”

  Something flew across Hayley’s face then. Olivia saw it, but only for the briefest second. “Oh,” Hayley said, her gaze leaving Angela’s face and moving toward the window. “I’ll probably just stay here. No big deal. My father isn’t a big Christmas guy, and my brothers are in different states. So. Yeah. I’ll just be here.”

  Olivia knew what was coming before the gasp even left her mother’s lungs.

  “What?” Angela’s face matched her voice in level of horror. “You’ll be all alone on Christmas?”

  Hayley shrugged and attempted a smile. “It’s totally fine. It won’t be the first time.”

  “What?” Angela said again. “No. No way. This is not okay with me.”

  Hayley, for the first time since she walked into the office, looked sincerely at Olivia, eyebrows raised in a silent what do I do?

  Olivia gave a small shrug and shook her head subtly because there was nothing to be done but come to the Santinis’ house for Christmas. That was where her mother was going with all the horrified faces, and she knew it. It followed instantly.

  “You’ll come to our house for Christmas Eve dinner. Right, Olivia?”

  And that was how she did it. Olivia had to give kudos to her mother because there was no way she could say anything like, “Um, no, Mama, I’d rather my direct supervisor who I made out with three days ago not come to Christmas at our house.” No way at all. Angela Santini was no dummy.

  “Right,” Olivia said, because what else could she say?

  Angela pulled out her phone, did some scrolling and some tapping, then handed it over to Hayley. “Here, put your number in and I’ll text you the details next week. I live right next door to Olivia, did you know that?”

  “I did not know that.” Hayley shot Olivia a cute little grin, then did as she was told and handed the phone back.

  “Perfect. Oh, I’m so excited!” Angela pocketed her phone. “All right, girls. I need to get back to work. Eat your lunches.” As she turned to go, walking past so Hayley was between her and Olivia, she shot a wink at her daughter.

  Dammit.

  Hayley turned to stare at the doorway for a beat before shifting her focus to Olivia and asking, “What just happened?”

  With a sigh, Olivia said, “Congratulations. You’ve just borne witness to Hurricane Angela. There’s nothing you can do. Just grab a tree or something and hold on tight.”

  * * *

  The pasta and meatballs Mrs. Santini had given Hayley for lunch were freaking delicious. And she lived in New York City, which meant she’d eaten at some of the best, most famous Italian restaurants in the country. Yeah, Olivia’s mom knew what she was doing. Wow.

  She forked the last bite into her mouth, despite the fact that she was full six bites ago, and absently thought about licking the bowl clean. Deciding against that, she sat back in her chair and blew out a huge breath, as if she’d been working really, really hard.

  Olivia was avoiding her. Which was fair, because she’d been avoiding Olivia. She shook her head slowly. Were they twelve? Why couldn’t they just talk about what had happened in the woods?

  God…

  And then her brain ran away with her, just like it did every time she reflected on that walk in the woods. Easily one of the best days of her life. The combination of the beauty of nature, the craftsmanship and creativity of the fairy houses, the thoughtfulness of Olivia actually taking her there.

  And the kissing.

  Can’t forget the kissing because…dear God.

  Hayley had tons to get done, but once again, she found herself staring off into space. It seemed to be her thing, what she did at the Evergreen. Stare off into space, or out the window, and wonder. Think. Reflect.

  What was going on with Olivia? Was it simply a physical thing? Hayley was devastatingly attracted to her and that only increased a hundredfold after making out with her. Hayley had no doubt at all that they’d probably ignite the bed if they ever got that far.

  Was it more than that, though?

  Hayley had been with her share of women. Not a ton. She wasn’t the type to just fall into bed with anyone who caught her eye. But she’d had a couple of experiences that were nothing more than that: physical experiences. And she was okay with that.

  Maybe that’s all this was with Olivia?

  They didn’t really know each other all that well…though Olivia had opened up a bit more lately, and Hayley was very interested in learning more about her. That said a lot. If this was a purely physical thing, would she care about Olivia’s past? About her hopes and dreams? Because right now, she did. Hayley wanted to know everything.

  But how did Olivia feel?

  “Only one way to find out,” she said aloud to her empty office, then pushed herself away from her desk and to her feet.

  Yeah. They needed to talk.

  But Olivia wasn’t at her desk.

  “Of course,” Hayley said with a sigh, then headed out toward the front desk.

  Stephanie Dunne was manning the front, as usual, her friendly demeanor and welcoming smile like sunshine on a cold winter’s day as she typed away on her computer.

  “Hey, Stephanie, have you seen Olivia?”

  Stephanie turned to her as the phone rang and she picked it up. “Evergreen Resort and Spa, this is Stephanie, how may I help you?” She held up an arm and pointed Hayley toward her left.

  Which could mean almost anything. Olivia went to Starbucks. She went to Split Rail. She’s decided she’s had enough and left through the front door, never to return again. Hayley stifled a sigh of frustration and started walking in that direction hoping she’d maybe just run right into her.

  Olivia wasn’t outside. Hayley had taken a few steps out there, glanced at the valet on duty. He shook his head when she asked if he’d seen Olivia, and that was enough for her because it was freezing out and she had no coat.

  Starbucks was next and was also a bust, as Olivia was nowhere to be seen.

  She wasn’t at Split Rail either. Hayley hesitated entering the kitchen, given that she couldn’t seem to get out of anybody’s way when she did, but as luck would have it, Tessa came out just as Hayley was ready to leave. She was apparently looking for something and seemed surprised
to see Hayley.

  “Oh, hi, Hayley.” Her smile was…odd, and there was a strange glimmer in her eyes. “Looking for Olivia?”

  “I am, yes.” Why did Tessa make her nervous? Hayley couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but her stomach always did uncomfortable flip-flopping whenever Tessa looked at her. She always felt like Tessa was silently judging her, mentally scoring everything she did or said.

  “She went to change, so she could run.”

  “Oh, okay. Thanks.” Relieved to have a solid destination, Hayley left the restaurant quickly and wondered if Tessa noticed.

  She should’ve asked where Olivia went to change her clothes, because she wasn’t sure. Since Hayley lived in the Evergreen, she could just run upstairs if she needed something. So where would Olivia go? The ladies’ room? The employee locker room in the back?

  The other question was, should she continue to look for her? Olivia was obviously busy. Was she going to want Hayley interrupting her run? On her lunch hour? But there was one thing Hayley was sure of: If she didn’t talk to Olivia now, she’d lose her nerve, because in reality, she was just a big scaredy-cat, especially when it came to this subject.

  The entire time she had this internal debate, her feet kept moving, and it wasn’t long before she found herself in the hallway that led to the indoor pool and had a view of the fitness center.

  Her eyes landed on Olivia immediately, and they roamed over her body with little regard for what was appropriate. The skintight workout pants. The bright orange T-shirt. The same black and green trainers on her feet. But she wasn’t running. Not yet. Rather, she was standing near an elliptical machine. There was a woman on it who looked rather confused.

  Hayley moved around the corner to the door and tugged it open. Olivia didn’t see her, but Hayley could hear them. Their backs were to her, but she could see their faces reflected in the wall of mirrors.

  “So, if you just want something simple, you can push Quick Start and go.” Olivia looked up at the woman with a gentle smile. “It will keep track of everything, and you set the pace right here. These arrows will increase the resistance if you want. But you don’t have to. It’s up to you.”