Chapter 2

But today, there was no need.

I glanced at him, then pulled open the back door.

Fiona turned around, suddenly saying mysteriously.

“Are we totally synced or something? That ski resort you’re going to is exactly where I’ve always wanted to go! I can’t believe, Kylie, you don’t even ski, and you’re planning a trip there.”

Ethan looked at me again through the rearview mirror.

He casually spoke, hands on the steering wheel.

“We were originally going to the beach, but she’s afraid of getting a tan, so I planned the trip to the ski resort instead. Kylie said she wanted to learn how to ski.”

Fiona listened intently, then skillfully pulled her hand cream from the glove compartment.

“Going to the beach would have been nice too; I love the ocean.”

“Okay, can we just keep it down?” Ethan interrupted, turning on the music.

That music was Ethan's alarm.

I immediately remembered how, over a year ago, the day after Ethan agreed to the road trip, I had woken up early, excited.

After turning off his alarm, I inexplicably found myself opening his SnapChat.

Fiona had sent him a few messages complaining about work last night.

I casually scrolled through them and then froze.

[Ugh, I seriously need a vacation. I wanna go to the beach so bad!]

[Ethan, if you guys go to the beach, take me with you, pretty please~]

Ethan replied,

[Sure thing.]

I stared at those messages for ten minutes, my eyes aching before I finally let the screen go dark.

When Ethan woke up and hugged me from behind, nuzzling me playfully, I pretended to say casually,

“Let’s not go to the beach for our road trip. Didn't you say I look bad with a tan?”

I thought at the time,

I didn't mind Fiona traveling with us.

After all, I’d known both of them for over ten years.

But why did Ethan choose a travel destination that she liked?

Ethan didn't think for long after hearing that. He kissed me.

“Alright, then let’s go skiing. I’ll teach you how.”

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but laugh out loud in the car.

Ethan looked back and asked what was wrong.

I shook my head and said nothing.

I just realized how naive I was over a year ago.

Thinking that as long as Ethan changed for me, it would be enough.

Even though I didn't like the beach and wasn't really interested in skiing.

I unlocked my phone and bought a ticket to a different destination.

This time, I was going where *I* wanted to go.

—

We checked into a small town at the base of the ski resort.

We had planned to go skiing tomorrow, but I no longer intended to go up the mountain.

So I only took my own luggage.

All the gear stayed in the trunk.

Ethan parked the car, then glanced at the stuff in my hands, surprisingly sharp.

“Why didn’t you take your skiing gear?”

I casually mumbled a reply.

“Forgot.”

But I didn't frantically turn around to get it, like I usually would.

After I swiped my card and entered the room, Ethan came in with the luggage.

He saw me squatting on the floor, rummaging through my suitcase, and walked over to ask.

“Are you mad?”

I didn't turn around.

“No.”

The next moment, he pulled me up and into his arms.

Ethan's hugs were always warm, accepting of all emotions.

When I was little, I just thought of him as my older brother, just a year older.

But then, when he chased off my stalker ex-boyfriend and held me, comforting my scared self, I suddenly realized my heart was pounding so fast.

Totally different from the slightly calmer beat it had now.

Ethan chuckled.

“Are you jealous because I brought Fiona along to hang out?”

“I just thought of her as your best friend. Otherwise, I wouldn't even give her a second glance.”