Page 3 of Desiring Destiny
“It turns out I suck at skiing,” she admits. I chuckle a bit while she shakes her head. “I couldn’t even get the boot thingies to fit into the ski thingies.”
“That’s the hardest part,” I tell her.
“Really?”
“No,” I say with a laugh. She joins me, the sound of her laughter like bells on Christmas morning ringing in joy and the start of a new day.
“So, you’re telling me a lesson may be necessary for me to be able to stumble my way down the shallowest of bunny hills?”
“I’m afraid so. I happen to be an excellent teacher, though.”
“And humble, too,” she adds. I chuckle again, loving our back and forth. Destiny is shy and a bit timid, but she has some sass to her. I can’t wait to see more of it.
“The most humble,” I agree, nodding seriously. “What time tomorrow? It’s my day off.”
“Oh. I can wait until you have an opening in your schedule. I wouldn’t want to make you come into work when you’re off the clock.”
“Destiny,” I say, leaning closer to her and capturing her gaze in mine. “I promise there’s nowhere I’d rather be tomorrow than with you.” I worry I came off as too strong, but I watch her absorb my words and smile ever so slightly.
“Well, in that case… How does ten-thirty sound?”
“Like it’s my new favorite time of day,” I answer without hesitation. “I’ll meet you right here tomorrow morning?”
"Yes. Ten-thirty," she confirms. I feel giddy and get the sudden urge to fist-pump the air. I don't, but it takes a lot of willpower.
We say our goodbyes and I float back to my cabin, already anxious for the night to be over with so I can see my Destiny again.
2
DESTINY
If he tells me to make a pizza wedge with my skis one more time…
“Remember, pizza wedge!” Griffin calls out from behind me.
I roll my eyes and exhale, watching my breath swirl around like smoke before evaporating in the frigid mountain air. An hour into my private lesson and all I’ve learned so far is pizza wedge to stop and French fries to move. I’m no better at skiing than when I started and now I’m just hungry.
I angle my feet in an attempt to come to a rolling stop. Instead, my skis cross each other and I take a tumble for the tenth time since starting this lesson. What was I thinking? Skiing?Me?I’m cold and wet and every muscle aches. My knees and ankles are screaming at me and despite the chill in my bones, I’m still sweating underneath all of these layers.
“I’ve got you,” Griffin says, smoothly and effortlessly skiing up next to me and offering his hand.
“Maybe I should just stay down here and save myself from another fall,” I say with an exasperated sigh.
Griffin locks eyes with me, his striking green irises making me feel all sorts of things I’m not sure how to handle. He surprised me yesterday with his greeting in the lodge, and again when he came back later and made me hot chocolate.
The man is stunning. Six feet of muscle, messy dark blond hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and bright green eyes that make me light up like a Christmas tree. Plus, Griffin is probably at least a decade older than me with a career and a stable life.
So, what the hell is he doing spending his day off with someone like me? I’m chubby, awkward, shy, and have no idea what I’m doing half the time. I’m sure I’m just a charity case. There’s really no other explanation.
When I don’t take Griffin’s hand, he simply grins, pops off his skis, and then flops down in the snow next to me. “Snow angels it is,” he says as he flaps his arms to make an indentation of wings in the snow.
I giggle at his silliness and then join him, thankful that he’s willing to be so nice to me.
“What inspired this trip?” he asks, catching me off-guard. It’s an innocent question but I’m not sure I know how to answer. “I’m guessing it wasn’t the incredible skiing we have up here,” he jokes.
“Not exactly. I mean, kind of. It’s… it’s complicated.” I finish my rambling sentence and look away from him, not wanting him to see the tears I’m barely holding back.
“I’m sure I can follow along,” Griffin says softly.