The First Slip
1107 Words
The resort bustled with life the next morning. Snowboarders trudged through the powder, skis clattered on racks, and the scent of fresh waffles wafted from the lodge’s café. Lily, bundled up in her pink snow jacket, tugged on Emily’s hand.
“Can we try the big hill today, Mom? Please?”
Emily crouched to her daughter’s level, adjusting her scarf. “That hill’s for big kids, sweetheart. How about we stick to the bunny slopes for now?”
Lily puffed out her cheeks in mock frustration, her mittened hands on her hips. “But I am a big kid!”
Ryan appeared behind them, his skis balanced on one shoulder. “She’s got a point,” he said, winking at Lily. “How about this: we start on the bunny slopes, and if she nails it, we graduate to the big hill?”
Lily’s eyes lit up as she looked at Emily. “Please?”
Emily sighed, unable to resist the excitement in her daughter’s face. “Fine, but only if Ryan stays with you the whole time.”
“Deal,” Ryan said, giving Lily a fist bump.
As the trio made their way to the lift, Ethan appeared, carrying a steaming coffee. “You guys are insane,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m heading to the lodge to sit by the fire like a civilized person.”
“Enjoy your nap, old man,” Ryan called after him.
Emily chuckled but didn’t miss the way Ethan’s eyes lingered on her, silently reminding her of their conversation by the fire the night before. The weight of his words followed her onto the slopes.
By mid-morning, Lily was gliding down the bunny hill with surprising ease. Ryan skied beside her, cheering her on while Emily stayed at the bottom, her nerves too frayed to join them. She watched as Lily squealed with joy, her giggles echoing through the crisp air.
“She’s a natural,” Ryan said as he slid to a stop beside Emily.
“She’s fearless,” Emily replied, smiling despite herself.
Ryan leaned on his poles, his expression softening. “She reminds me of you.”
Emily blinked, taken aback. “Me?”
“Yeah,” he said, his voice quiet. “You were always braver than you gave yourself credit for.”
The air between them grew heavy, charged with an undercurrent of unspoken emotions. Emily opened her mouth to respond, but Lily interrupted, zooming toward them with an exuberant shout.
“Mom! Ryan! Did you see me?”
Emily crouched down to hug her. “You were amazing, sweetheart.”
Lily grinned, her cheeks flushed. “Can we go to the big hill now? Ryan said I’m ready!”
Emily shot Ryan a look, and he held up his hands. “I said maybe.”
“Please, Mom?” Lily begged, tugging on Emily’s sleeve.
Before Emily could answer, Ryan crouched beside Lily, his tone gentle. “How about we grab some hot chocolate first? You’ve earned it.”
Lily pouted but eventually nodded. “Okay, but only if I get whipped cream.”
“Deal,” Ryan said, scooping her up and placing her on his shoulders.
Emily followed them to the lodge, her heart torn between the warmth of their connection and the growing anxiety over what she hadn’t yet told Ryan.
Inside the lodge, the group settled at a table near the fire. Lily sipped her hot chocolate, her nose dusted with whipped cream, while Ryan and Ethan traded stories about their most embarrassing ski moments.
Emily, however, couldn’t focus. Her gaze drifted to Ryan, who was laughing at one of Ethan’s jokes. The way he interacted with Lily—effortlessly, lovingly—made her chest tighten.
“Earth to Emily,” Ethan said, snapping his fingers in front of her face.
She blinked, realizing everyone was looking at her. “Sorry, what?”
“I asked if you’re up for a race down the slopes,” Ethan said, smirking. “Or are you too chicken?”
Emily rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll pass. Someone has to keep an eye on Lily.”
Ryan leaned back in his chair, studying her. “You’ve been quiet today. Everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just tired.”
Ryan didn’t look convinced, but he let it go, turning his attention back to Lily, who was now drawing ski tracks on a napkin.
But Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew something was off.
That evening, after dinner, Ryan and Lily built a puzzle on the cabin floor while Ethan scrolled through his phone on the couch. Emily stood in the kitchen, drying dishes and watching them from a distance.
“She’s so comfortable with him,” Ethan said quietly, coming to stand beside her.
Emily nodded, her throat tight. “I know.”
Ethan glanced at her. “You’re running out of time, Em. He’s already starting to piece things together.”
Emily sighed, leaning against the counter. “I know,” she whispered. “But what if telling him changes everything? What if he walks away?”
Ethan placed a hand on her shoulder. “Then he’s not the guy you think he is. But you can’t keep pretending this will all work itself out. You owe it to Lily—and to Ryan—to tell the truth.”
Before Emily could respond, Ryan’s voice called out from the living room. “Hey, Emily! We’re missing a puzzle piece. Did you hide it?”
Emily forced a laugh, wiping her hands on a towel. “Why would I hide it?”
“Because you’re competitive,” Ryan teased, grinning as he stood and walked toward her.
As he approached, Ethan gave Emily a pointed look before slipping out of the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Ryan leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “You sure you’re okay? You’ve seemed… distracted.”
Emily hesitated, her heart pounding. “I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind.”
Ryan studied her, his expression unreadable. “You know, you can talk to me, right? About anything?”
The sincerity in his voice nearly broke her. She opened her mouth to respond, but Lily’s voice interrupted.
“Found it!” Lily shouted, holding up the missing puzzle piece triumphantly.
Ryan smiled, giving Emily a lingering look before heading back to the living room.
Emily exhaled shakily, her grip tightening on the counter. The truth was clawing its way to the surface, and she knew she couldn’t keep it buried much longer.
- Writer
