Normark Resort was amazingly beautiful. The snow was so white with the perfect powder texture. The group was staying in a penthouse room in the resorts most pristine lodge on the resort. It was decorated in Neahovian Mountain décor. The rooms for the ladies was the two on the left side of the staircase.
Aimee and Lexi took their small luggage and walked up the stairs. The guys said they would get settle in then bring the rest of luggage up. Aimee laid her bag on her bed and went to look at the fresh snow covered slopes.
“Aimee, what’s on your mind?” Lexi asked as she started unpacking.
“Nothing. Why?”
“You are being unusually quiet.”
“I am just taking in the mountain view.”
“Well you and LJ seemed to be getting along very good.”
Aimee moved over to her bed. “Thanks for the setup.”
“Me never.”
“Yes you and Colin.”
“Hey, Colin came to me with the idea. Actually LJ wanted him to make sure you rode the front with him.”
“Really.”
“Yes. So what do you think of him.”
“Are you doing research for him and Colin?”
Lexi sat down on her bed. “No. I am asking as your friend.”
“He seems nice enough.”
“That’s all his nice enough. I am pretty sure I almost walked in on a kiss at Lakeside.”
“And I thank God you did before I made a complete fool of myself.”
“How?”
“Never mind.”
“Aimee do you honestly think he is hanging out at our flat so much because of Colin.”
Aimee shrugged her shoulders.
“Ok let me lay this out for you. I have known LJ may entire life. Granted he has probably been more of Colin’s friend than any of the rest of us. But he has never arranged a ski trip for all of us. We have all been here but with our families, not with LJ.”
“Ok.”
“Ugh. Aimee are you blind? The guy is majorly hot. He has treated you nicer than I have ever seen him treat anyone. And he arranged this trip to get to know you.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh Lexi, he is so hot and have you seen his physique. He has lovely eyes too. But guys like him are not into girls like me.”
“What do you mean girls like you?”
“Lexi I am so plain. Guys like the supermodel type like you and Piper.”
“Oh honey you are not plain. Go over and stand in front of the mirror. You have the most beautiful hair. No matter how you fix it your hair looks great. Even in a messy bun. You have gorgeous face features.”
“Ok stop. It’s more than how I look. When you’re a Christian it is hard to find a guy that respects you and how you believe.”
“Ok that is just dumb on their part.”
“Maybe. But it is probably why I have never had a boyfriend.”
“Never.” Lexi looked shocked.
“Never.”
“Well maybe the fact you can’t tell when a guy is flirting with you has something to do with that.”
Aimee laid back on her bed. “When it comes to guys I am dumb.”
“No you’re not. You just need to be taught the art of flirting with guys and the art of knowing when I guy is flirting with you.”
“Really and whose is going to teach me?”
“Me of course. And Piper if she wants to.”
“Ok.” Aimee laughed.
“I have one more question before we get started.” Lexi looked her dead in the eyes.
“Ok”
“Have you ever been kissed?”
“Once eighth grade. It was horrible.”
Lexi roared with laughter. “Oh honey all middle school kisses are horrible.”
Aimee sat up. “Ok what is your story? You tell me I need to learn to flirt but you are just as single as I am.”
“Well I guess that depends on who you ask. My sisters so I am too picky. My friends so I expect too much.”
“Get with it Lexi. What is the reason you are single?”
“Ok. I am tired of dating jerks and losers. I had enough of that in high school. The guy I dated last year took the cake. It was our Senior Prom and he went missing, so I went to look for him and found him and my so called best friend doing a little more than kissing. They are parents now.”
“Wow. Major jerk. I thought my prom date was bad.”
“Well that day I decided from that point on I will date with caution. No more jerks.”
Aimee laid back down. “’Lexi, loves not easy.”
“No Aimee it’s not. What did your prom date do?”
“His name was Morgan and he is the son of one of my dad’s campaign people. He keep the dance floor hot. Just not with me. I got the first dance and last dance.”
♥ ♥
It was just before seven p.m. when James and Piper arrived. James went to put his stuff away and Piper joined the girls in their room. Aimee sat Piper down and told her all about the conversation she had with Lexi. Lexi added her own dramatization from time to time.
Piper just laughed at them. “You two are hopeless. Aimee, LJ has been flirting with you forever and Lexi you are going to pass up Mr. Right if you don’t narrow down your requirements.”
Lexi acted shocked. “What requirements would you like me to get rid of Piper?”
“Start with hair color. Not just blondes ok.”
Aimee shook her head. “You required they be blonde. Man Lexi.”
“Oh yeah at least I know when a guy flirts with me.”
“Ok LJ has been flirting with me. That doesn’t mean he wants to date me. Some guys are just flirts.”
“Oh he wants to date you.” Lexi grinned.
Aimee set in the floor and pulled her knees to her chest. “Lexi since I have now confessed my lack of dating experience to you. Both of you know that I have never been in a relationship. My dating experience consists of a few bad blind dates and the horrible Prom date.”
“If it makes you feel better Aimee, Colin told me he had a long talk with LJ. He told him you are like a sister to him and if he was not serious about you to back off.” Lexi sat beside her.
“I know it sounds stupid but sometimes when guys like LJ give me attention I feel like I am a project of some sort or a joke.”
Piper joined them on the floor. “You’re not. Colin would not let him do you like that.”
Lexi stood up. “Alright Aimee, let’s make a deal. I will be less picky if you promise to have more confidence in yourself when it comes to guys.”
“Ok, but one other thing concerns me. He is not a Christian.”
Lexi shrugged her shoulder. “Does he have to be?”
“It is definitely helps. A Christian guy would already know my boundaries before I would have to mention them. I am not sure LJ will.”
Piper stood. “If he likes you he will. If he doesn’t respect them Colin and Aiden will beat him up.”
“I guess you’re right. There is just something in my brain telling me to be careful.”
“If I said that Aimee I would be told I am being too picky.” Lexi laughed.
Piper stood on the bed. “Ok team, here is the game plan. Lexi stop being so picky. You are not allowed to search for flaws in a guy if they are not obvious don’t look until you find one like on eye brow is thicker than the other.” That caused Aimee to laugh.
“Aimee this is no laughing matter.” Piper had to regain her composure so she would not laugh. “You need to accept that guys think that your hot with your long legs and gorgeous hair, you are so many guys dream woman. When guys flirt with you flirt back. Got it!”
Aimee and Lexi laughed. “Yes coach!”
“Ok girls I want you to go out there flirt, giggle, talk and dance. I want to see you both having good clean fun on this vacation. Do I make myself clear?”
This time they saluted her “Mam, Yes Mam!”
Lexi yelled out. “But I don’t have a man.”
Aimee patted her shoulder. “Oh we will find you one.”
“That’s what I am talking about now get out there flip that hair back and flirt.”
Piper jumped down off the bed and opened the door. She could contain her laughter no longer so all the girls went down stairs laughing hysterically.
The next morning everyone went to the main lodge for breakfast. Then the girls hit the shopping stores for ski and snowboarding gear. While the guys went to the men’s sport shop to get their gear. Lexi texted Ava to see if she wanted them to get her anything. Ava text her back stating she was fine if she decided to go on the slopes she would purchase her stuff at that time.
At eleven o’clock they hit the ski slopes. Aimee loved the freedom she felt on the slopes she was handling herself like a pro. She and LJ hit some of the more difficult slopes and at one o’clock they joined the others for lunch.
Aiden and Ava had made it to the resort by then and Aiden met them for lunch while Ava chose to stay at the penthouse. Aiden was itching to do some snowboarding. So the group headed to the area on the resort that had half pipes and snowboard runs. When they reached the half pipe a group of borders was on there doing tricks.
One of the guys stopped and came over to them. “Hey LJ. What’s up?”
“Hey Drew. Man your tricks are getting tight.”
“Thanks man. I practice when I can.”
“How long are you on the mountain?” LJ started putting on his gloves.
“Two weeks then back to East Newport University.” He took off his hat exposing his wavy blonde hair.
“No kidding I am studying at Ancaster we are only like an hour away we need to meet up…”
Aimee stopped listen at that point she turned to her right and noticed Lexi looking at Drew. Aimee took her arm and motioned at Piper.
The two girls walked over to Piper. “Found him.” Aimee grinned.
“Found who?”
“Lexi a man.” Aimee motioned toward LJ and Drew.
Piper took a good look at him. “Wow.” James cleared his throat.
“Don’t worry I still think you are hotter. Well Lexi don’t let him get away get over there and teach Aimee the art of flirting.”
Lexi grinned as she walked toward LJ, Aiden and Drew. Just as she reach them she turned her attention to Drew flipping her hair off her shoulder. When Aimee made it over she took a tip Lexi gave her last night and touched LJ’s elbow.
He looked over at her and grinned. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She took a loose piece of hair and tucked it behind her ear. Another tip from Lexi.
“Drew this is Aimee.” Aimee simply smiled but made sure she brought her attention back to LJ. That tip was from Piper. He pointed to Lexi who had managed to position herself close but not too close to Drew. “And this is Lexi.”
Lexi took control at that point looking him in the eye but not for too long. Then she smiled and reached out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Drew took her hand. “The pleasure is all mine.”
Lexi looked at his snow board. “Nice board.”
“Thanks. Do you snowboard?”
“No, but I would love to learn.”
Aiden was well aware of his cousins flirting. “You know Drew, Lexi is studying at Ancaster as well.”
Lexi knowing all too well that Aiden was getting ready to ramble to torture she took action. “Drew I have an idea. Both Aimee and I want to learn to snowboard so why don’t you teach me and LJ can teach Aimee.”
Before Aimee knew it she found herself standing on a bank acting as if she had no clue how to snowboard. Aimee was feeling silly acting like she had no clue as how to snowboard. She had spent almost every Christmas on the slopes. Her dad was a fanatic when it came to ski resorts. She has been boarding since she was eleven. She preferred it to skiing.
Piper stood on the bottom of the slope cheering everyone on and encouraging Aimee and Lexi when they would pretend to fall. Which was happening way more than Aimee would have liked because right now all she wanted to do was make Drew eat her powder.
Aimee starting having fun once she pretended she finally knew the basics of boarding. She did dread admitting it to Piper and Lexie exactly how much fun she was having now that her guard was down. LJ was enjoying helping her and every time he would put his arms around her to show her how to stand or shift her body he would give her a hug.
LJ and Drew went over a few more basic moves and then joined Piper, James, and Aiden at the bottom of the slope. Lexi was in the front with Aimee following close behind her. The group of friends at the bottom of the slope was in clear view. All of a sudden Lexi came to an abrupt stop causing Aimee to plow right into her sending both of them down the hill rolling.
When they managed to stop a few feet from LJ and Drew who came running to them. Aiden started to run but realized LJ was going for Aimee. LJ took Aimees hand and helped her stand.
“Why did you stop like that Lexi?” Aimee asked as she brushed snow of her pants.
Drew helped Lexi to her feet and she started cleaning her pants.
“Lexi!” Aimee shouted.
Lexi turned back to face the group and nodded for Aimee to look as well.
“What in the world is that girl wearing?” Aimee could not believe her eyes.
Lexi started laughing hysterically. “Look at her shoes, oh my Gosh her shoes.”
Aimee took a closer look at the girl she was wearing a pair of very expensive Navy blue suede boots with a 3 inch straight heel. The heels keep getting stuck in the snow causing her to have to pull hard to raise her feet. She started yelling for Aiden as she fell backwards in the snow.
“Is that Ava?” Aimee could not stop looking at her.
LJ began laughing hard. “The one and only.”
Drew shook his head. “That girl has to be freezing.”
Lexi was laughing uncontrollably at the site of Aiden trying to help Ava up. “I am sure those skin tight thin white jeans and her stripped sapphire blue sweater is not providing her very much warmth.”
Aimee took the hand LJ offered and began walking with him. “Oh Lexi I am sure that faux fur gilet will help keep her warm.”
Lexi stopped. “We need to get it together before we get any closer.”
LJ grinned. “As if she won’t know why you girls are laughing so hard.”
Aimee playfully hit LJ. “You are laughing too.”
Drew said he would take the lead on why they were laughing. When they approached Piper and James he looked at them. “Did you guys see the why Jill and Jill here went tumbling down the hill?”
Aimee gave him a fake made look. “Good cover.”
Lexi acted like it hurt her feelings to get him to pull her closer.
Once Aiden managed to get Ava up and calmed down he took her back to Lodge Penthouse. LJ, James, and Drew offered to take the girls out for coffee. Colin meet them with his girl of the week.
Aimee took a hot shower as soon as she returned to the penthouse. The cold air was going to be torturous to her skin. She applied the special mistrusting lotion she bought for the trip then she dried her hair and straightened it. She had no clue how she had let Lexi talk her into this but Aimee and LJ where joining Lexi and Drew for a double date.
Piper sat on her bed looking at a magazine. Lexi came in with her towel wrapped around her head. “Aimee we have dates tonight.”
Piper turned the page of her magazine. “My pep talk helped.”
The three girls where laughing when Ava stormed through the door. Her mere presence was an instant downer.
“Lexi! How could you laugh at me?” She was staring at Lexi.
“Oh come on Ava if that had been any of us you would have been the very first one to laugh.”
“Maybe. But I would also have been the first too…”
“Stop right there. We both know you would have been the last one to offer a helping hand.”
Ava looked around the room until she found Aimee applying her lip gloss. Aimee had on a pair of mid-rise skinny stretch jeans and her navy tank not yet fully ready to go. “Where are you going?”
Lexi stood. “Not that it is any of your business but Aimee and I have dates with Drew and LJ.”
“Good. Maybe that will keep you away from Aiden.”
“Excuse me.” Aimee turned to face her.
“You heard me. Back off of Aiden little Miss American Girl.”
Aimee was trying her best not to listen to Ava as she ranted on and on. She was focused on controlling her temper. But Ava was relentless. She just keep mouthing off demands to Aimee while Aimee finished dressing. She took her navy and cream sweater off the bed and put it on. Then took her matching scarf to put on. Ava was still carrying on not that Aimee was listening to her much. However her last sentence did it. “Get a new study partner or else.”
Aimee stood picked up her boots and purse and walked toward the door. Lexi came right behind her. Just before existing the door Aimee turned toward Ava.
“Aiden has a mind of his own. He is more than capable of choosing who he can and cannot trust as friends and study partners. It is not my problem if you have trust issues or whatever you want to call it. So Miss Thing I will remain friends and study partners with Aiden as long as he and I choice to remain so.” Aimee shut the door behind her.
When Aimee and Lexi made it down the stairs Aiden was sitting in the Telli Area with LJ, James and Drew. Lexi quickly filled him in on their run in with Ava while Aimee slid on her boots. Aiden offered Aimee an apology.
“It’s not your fault but she is steaming mad.” Aimee nodded toward the stairs as she took LJ’s arm.
The guys took them to one of the finest restaurants in the village. The food was very delightful though LJ did tease Aimee about the first time he joined her at a dinner table. Aimee followed all the flirting tips she had been given.
Lexi commented on how it must be nice to have connections to get into Talippia’s. Even though Aimee could tell the comment was hurtful LJ let it roll of his shoulder. Aimee smiled at him. “This is nice but you really didn’t have to go through a lot of trouble.”
LJ took Aimee by the hand. “I want our first date to be memorable.” Aimee was impressed.
After dinner they went to see a theatrical ice show and then took a moonlight walk back to the penthouse. Aimee and LJ stopped for coffee while Lexi and Drew went ahead. Aimee watched from the window of the coffee shop as Lexi and Drew walked away. He had his hand on her lower back as they were walking and talking. Lexi was laughing at what must be his jokes. Then all of a sudden he turned Lexi to face him and they kissed for a long time.
Aimee turned her head she didn’t want to spy on her friend. Aimee was nervous LJ was on his way back with their coffee now. She had so many thoughts racing through her head. She tried to tell herself to relax.
She was certain that LJ would try to kiss her goodnight. He and Drew probably planned this part of the date as well. What was she doing? Her thoughts shifted back and forth from her fear of the walk home with LJ to Lexi kissing Drew. She barely knew him and now she was kissing him like that. No wonders the guys she dates are jerks. Aimees’ mind drifted to more frightful thoughts what if Lexi goes back to Drew’s’ room? What if LJ expects her to join him in his private bedroom at the penthouse?”
Aimee had to calm down. She needed to pray now. “Dear God please be with me and Lexi tonight. Help us to make the right choices. Amen.”
LJ could tell Aimee was upset about something. She sat quietly while they drank their coffee. On the walk to the penthouse when he took her hand she stiffened like he had scared her.
“Aimee are you ok?”
“Yeah just tired.”
“It has been a long day.”
They continued to walk quietly and when they reached the penthouse door LJ stopped and gently turned her to face him. “I had fun tonight.”
“Me too.” She answered in a low voice.
She shivered if the door was outside she would tell him it was the air but since they were on the top floor of the lodge she couldn’t lie. LJ must have mistaken her shiver as some sort of body language flirt because he pulled her closer to him and went to kiss her. Aimee turned her head just as his lips reached her causing him to kiss her on the cheek.
LJ didn’t say anything he just opened the door for her. Aimee went straight upstairs. First she was going to make sure Lexi came back safely. Second she was going to make her and Piper pay for talking her into being someone she was not. Aimee felt so relieved to see Lexi talking with Piper. She went and took off her makeup and fell asleep while listening to Lexi talk about Drew.
The next morning when they went to ski Aimee was quiet and she keep to herself. When anyone asked what was wrong she just told she was not feeling well. When they went to snowboard Aimee watched for a while and then went back to the penthouse. She hated not telling Piper and Lexi what was wrong but she couldn’t say anything in front of LJ and there was no way she was letting Ava know what happened.
When they guys decided to drive to a nearby lake and do some ice fishing the girls went shopping. Piper tried to get Aimee to go to a movie with them but the last thing Aimee wanted was to spend any more time around Ava.
Aimee went to her room when they got back and took out her mom’s diary she had found when at her dad’s for Christmas. Her mom’s name was scratched of the front of the diary. That was the first thing that Aimee thought was odd. The other was she was not using any ones last name when she wrote about them. In fact, she often used abbreviations for people, places and events she wrote about. Trying to decipher her mom’s journals was definitely going to take a while.
She had been reading for over an hour. Not totally understanding what she read. A tap on the door brought her to reality.
“Come in.”
Colin stuck his head in the door. “Hey Aimee.”
“Hey come on in and sit.”
“You ok.” Colin sat on the edge of her bed.
“Yeah.” Aimee tried not to look at him.
“Really because from where I am sitting you don’t look ok.”
“Well, I am. Why do you ask?”
“Lots of reasons but mainly because I am concerned.”
“Oh that’s sweet. Thank you for caring Colin.” She grinned.
“Is LJ what’s wrong?”
“Yes and no does that make sense?”
“Not really.”
“I am ashamed of myself and how I acted yesterday.”
“Yeah you were definitely not yourself yesterday.”
“Thanks for noticing.” Aimee hit him.
“So what happen yesterday? It was like you turned into Lexi.”
Aimee grinned. “I let Lexi and Piper talk me into being more of a flirt.”
“See there is the problem. You let those two girls talk you into being something you are not. Let me take a guess Lexi was teaching you her art of flirting.” Colin batted his eyes at her until she laughed.
Aimee laughed harder as Colin stood and twisted as he walked to the door and back then pretended to flip his hair just before sitting back down. “Am I right Aimee?”
“Something like that.” She shook her head at him.
“Ok Aimee here is the deal you a great just as you are because you are the real deal. Don’t change into something you are not. To some guys that can be a turn off.”
Aimee laughed. “I am getting love lessons from Colin.”
“Don’t tell anyone because I’ll deny it.”
“Deal. So why do you date so many girls.”
“Again if this leaves this room I will deny it. Because when I meet my real deal I want to have all my wild days behind me. And I don’t want to be stuck like Aiden is. Ava is not his real deal and if he doesn’t do something quick he is going to be stuck.”
“Colin is LJ mad.”
“Confused but not mad. So get yourself all dolled up and come downstairs. Tonight we are having Colin and Aiden’s fish fry.”
Aimee laughed. “I hope it taste better than it smells.”
Colin grinned. “There is the Aimee I have come to love like a sister.”
Aimee decided she should at the very least make herself presentable. She took out her favorite hoodie and tank top with a pair of loose fitting jeans. She braided her hair in a side braid and lightly put on make-up she didn’t want to make it look like she was trying.
Aimee joined Piper and Lexi at the table. Ava moved to the couch when Aimee sat down. “Ava you didn’t have to move on my account.” Aimee decided to play nice. Ava started to say something but Aiden stuck out his head from the kitchen area. Instead she came back to the table.
LJ came out of the kitchen. “Aimee can we talk?”
LJ directed Aimee out to the balcony so they could have some privacy. The small fire pit was lit so they sat on the loveseat in front of it.
“Aimee I am sorry for whatever I did yesterday to upset you.”
She turned sideways to face him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Then what is with the silent treatment and staying in the room by yourself all day.”
“I need to apologize to you. Yesterday I think I may have gave you the wrong impression about me.”
“You mean when you were acting like Lexi.”
“Yeah. I know now that was a dumb thing to do. It is not who I am at all.”
“Good because I want to get to know Aimee Pittman. Not Lexi Medine. But if you keep acting like something you are not or staying to yourself for the next eight days it is not going to happen.”
Aimee looked him in the face. “No more hiding. I want to start out by asking you something. You know I am a Christian right?”
“Yeah.”
“I told you the other day I was mostly raised by my grandmother.”
“Yeah.”
“The thing is I am old fashion LJ. I love talking to you and getting to know you but…”
“Is this about the missed kissed Aimee?”
She grinned. “Totally. LJ may faith in God is everything to me. It is who I am. I don’t want to lead you on by kissing you. They are certain things I won’t do until I am married.”
“Aimee I know that. I know you have boundaries and though I don’t understand them I respect you. The next time I go to kiss you I will make sure you are ok with it.”
“I have one more confession. I am a champion snowboarder. I kind of just went along with Lexi on the whole not knowing how to board.”
“Good. Because I would much rather hit the more skilled slopes.”
“Tomorrow I plan to show Drew what I can do on the half-pipe.”
“Great because tomorrow I plan to watch and laugh.” He took her hand as he walked her back to the kitchen table.
Despite the smell the food was good. After they ate they played board games until after one. Even though she would never admit to it even Ava had a good time.