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AFTER BREAKFAST, WHICH was a roaring success due to Alex’s excellent skills in the kitchen and because everyone seemed rested and ready for the day, we retired to our bedrooms, suited up, and then met in the living room to depart for the slopes.
And that’s where everything went wrong.
“While I love Chanel,” Blackwell said when she stepped into the room in her new suit, “I’m certainly not sure about this look. Look at me, for God’s sake. I look like a goddamned tampon—and one that has been used! This red is nothing short of the color of blood.”
“Oh, it is not,” I said. “You look fab. And it’s Chanel. I actually think that you look not only stylish, but hot. And please, all of us know that no one is going to be wearing anything even remotely close to that on the slopes.”
“And for good reason. I haven’t had a period in four years—and look at me. Aunt Flow is back. I might as well be a walking advertisement for planned parenthood.”
“Seriously?” Daniella said.
“Seriously,” Blackwell countered.
“Mom, you look fantastic.”
“You’re just fishing for one of my credit cards.”
“No, I’m not—you look great.”
“You do,” Madison said.
“And you’re just digging for another promotion.”
“She is not,” Brock said. “Because you do look great.”
“I remain unconvinced.”
Did she really dislike the suit, or was she just creating a moment of drama because she was Blackwell? I could never be sure when it came to her. “But Madison and I thought that you loved the suit...”
“Look, it will do,” she said, holding up her Chanel goggles and placing them on her face. “Especially since I can hide behind these. But you have to admit that this particular shade of red is the color of blood. If Alexa would hurry up, get dressed, and get her ass down here, she’d tell me that all of this was a sign from the universe. And that the moment I take to those slopes, I’ll be the one who’s going to be covered in blood. If that’s the case, I want no part of this.”
“You are going to be fine,” Cutter said.
“Says the ex-Navy SEAL who already has been boasting about his skiing abilities.”
“Jennifer and I are going to ski alongside you. I’ve already looked at all of the trails online, and the easiest one is called ‘the Birches’. It’s designed for beginners. I also checked out a few videos of it online, and even young children were conquering it with ease. It’s a very gentle slope. Will it take you a bit to learn how to ski? Yes. But once you learn a few tricks that Jennifer and I will show you, I think you’ll find out that it’s easy and fun.”
“And if you get hungry, you can eat some snow,” Madison said. “The alternative to ice!”
“Oh, aren’t you clever,” she said. “Beware of my wrath, girl.” She turned to Alex, who, like Brock and Cutter, was wearing a snug-fitting black ski suit that hugged his ass in ways that I thought were rather appealing. “What about you?” she said. “You’re awfully quiet. What do you think about this?”
“Your suit, or the drama you’re creating?”
“How cheeky of you. How quick. How off the hip. Naturally, the former.”
“I agree with the others.”
“Well, then it’s done,” she said. “I’ll carry on looking like a goddamned blood bank—and in the meantime, I plan on beating those slopes.”
“That’s the spirit,” Alex said. “Remember, we’re here to have fun.”
“I don’t even know what that is.”
“Why do I believe that?”
“Because you’ve known me since you were a child?”
“Anyway,” he said, “how about if we remind you what fun is?”
“At the potential of risking my own life? Why not? But I will tell all of you this—that mountain isn’t going to beat me. I can promise all of you that.”
“I totes see you slamming head-on into a tree,” Daniella said. “And that’s why I’m skiing with you, Jennifer, and Cutter. If you think I’m going to miss this shit, you’ve got another thing coming.”
At that moment, Alexa walked into the room.
“Sorry to be late,” she said.
When everyone turned to face her, Daniella’s breath was the first to catch in her throat, followed by Blackwell, who lifted her goggles and covered her mouth with the back of her hand.
And it was clear why she did.
Alexa was wearing a white-and-black Fendi fur collar ski jacket that I’d considered buying myself before we left, so I knew it had cost over five grand. It was fitted to her body and it was beyond chic, as were her black, slim-fitting Fendi ski pants, which revealed her curves in ways that I was still getting used to since she’d only first revealed them to us last night. A white headband held her dark hair back, and she wore just enough makeup to make her face look fresh.
“Alexa,” I said. “What are you doing to us? You look lovely!”
“Thank you, Jennifer. But just so all of you know, I haven’t sold out, nor will I ever sell out. The fur is faux and I’m wearing a cashmere roll neck jumper beneath my jacket, which is made of natural materials, as is the rest of my outfit.”
“And which, by the way, has ‘Fendi’ spelled out in massive letters on your damned left arm,” Daniella said. “When you entered your hippie phase a couple of years ago, you said that you were ‘beyond labels.’ That ‘labels didn’t define’ you. And yet here you are now—a walking label. You’re a fraud.”
“Actually, I’m evolving.”
“Whatevs.”
“I think she looks great,” Cutter said.
And when he said that, Daniella just looked at him. “Seriously?”
“I do. She does.”
“What about me? Don’t I look great? I’m wearing a damned Sonya Chodry Anya ski jacket with a Rex rabbit fur collar for God’s sake. Do you have any idea what that cost my mother? Or the time I spent making myself up for you—I mean, for today,” she said, quickly correcting herself, though entirely too late. “Because I can tell you this, Cutter—I put some serious effort into this.”
“That’s too bad,” Alexa said. “I barely put any effort into what I’m wearing.”
“The hell you didn’t—you’re late for a reason. You’ve probably been in that bathroom trying to figure out how to put on makeup. That’s what took you so long.”
“Sorry, but all I’m wearing is a light foundation from Aveda and a bit of mascara. That’s it. Nothing more.”
“Who are you?” Blackwell said.
“How many times are you going to ask me that?”
“Until it makes sense.”
“I’m your daughter. And by the way, Mom, love the suit.”
“You’re unrecognizable to me.”
“Just to reassure you, you did give birth to me. And, you know, also to the demon spawn turning bright red over there.”
“Whatevs, Alexa.”
“I’ll second that.” She clapped her hands. “So,” Alexa said. “Shall we ski? Because I’m ready to rock the slopes!”
