Kate took in a deep breath and let it out her nose with measured patience. The breath showed up like a white puff of smoke. She must look just like a fire-breathing dragon. “Like I said, I don’t have a partner. I came alone.” She stood in front of the woman in charge of the snowmobile tour while several couples were obviously eavesdropping on her conversation. She was certain she could feel their eyes on her, judging her.
The woman’s brows furrowed, and her voice stumbled over her next statement. “But it says on my paperwork that you signed up with a Mr.—”
Kate placed her mittened hand on her clipboard and spoke through gritted teeth. “You’ll forgive me for coming by myself when the person on that list is an unfaithful—” She bit back the words that threatened to escape her lips. “It doesn’t matter,” she clipped. “I was told there would be the opportunity to win a refund for this retreat, but I have to participate. So let me do this. I am more than capable of driving a snowmobile.”
She shifted, and her eyes darted to the group of waiting couples. They’d been outside long enough that everyone’s cheeks and noses had turned red from the cold. With each passing minute, she seemed to be getting more anxious. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But according to the rules of the couples retreat raffle, this activity requires you to be part of a couple. We don’t want there to be an unfair advantage.”
“Unfair—” She shook her head. “If anything, my being on my own would give others the advantage.”
“Not necessarily. Some of these activities are teambuilding exercises where you have to work together.” The attendant hugged her clipboard to her chest. “Didn’t the host at check-in tell you this? I’m just supposed to get you guys up the mountain.”
Really? She wasn’t going to budge on this.
Kate let out a groan. “He may have mentioned something.” This was exactly how everything was going to end—by her walking away empty-handed. No money, no husband… nothing. “But no one gave me a list of which activities I can do by my—”
“Sorry I’m late. I slept through my alarm.”
Kate’s whole body tensed at the familiar voice. No. Please don’t be him. Anyone but him.
The woman in front of her lifted her gaze and flashed whoever it was a smile. “You’re right on time. What’s your name?”
“Liam. Liam Harper.”
If it was possible, the woman’s smile widened further. “Ah, yes. You and Miss Anderson are on my list.” Her gaze shifted, looking out over the other guests before returning to Liam’s face. “Where is Miss Anderson?”
Liam cleared his throat. “She was unable to attend.”
The woman’s features brightened even more. She was practically a lit tree. Her gaze bounced to Kate, whose gaze widened. Kate held up both hands, shaking her head vehemently.
She gestured to Kate. “Miss Lloyd is without a partner as well. The two of you can couple up.”
The silence was almost palpable.
Kate could feel his eyes boring into the back of her head. She shook her head again. “No, that isn’t—”
“No, I don’t think—”
The woman’s focus bounced from Kate to Liam and back as they spoke up at the exact same moment. Her features seemed tight as she glanced down at her clipboard again.
Several whispers from the couples who surrounded them seemed to swarm her. This was none of their business. If they knew what she was going through, they wouldn’t be paying her any mind. The attendant picked up a sheet of paper to read the document beneath it then brought her attention to Kate again. She took a step toward her and lowered her voice.
“Miss Lloyd, I understand you don’t want to be here. I have a note that states you have already requested a refund. My job is to make sure everyone enjoys their time today. I can’t give you a refund, but I can tell you that if you participate with Mr. Harper, then you have a better shot at getting exactly what you need.”
Kate folded her arms tightly over her chest. “This is a couples retreat. I’m not going to partner up with a stranger.”
It was like the whispers had continued to grow, encircling her head, yelling at her. Kate closed her eyes to shut them out, forcing her blush to stay hidden deep beneath her skin. This had to be the most mortifying thing she’d ever been part of.
The woman glanced in Liam’s direction. She gave them a pleading look. “Please. This is my first day. I just want to get everything off on the right foot. We’re already behind schedule. Do you think you can agree just for today? Then I can see what I can do to help you after?”
Kate shot Liam a look over her shoulder. His dark-green eyes seemed less severe today. They were soft, almost warm. Maybe he’d gotten a good night’s sleep. Her breath hitched in her throat, and she whipped her head back to meet the woman’s gaze. “Fine. I’ll do it if he does.”
The attendant shifted her focus to Liam. Silence that probably only took a few seconds seemed to last for several minutes. Kate’s heart beat a little faster, and her whole body itched. Why did she suddenly feel like she was waiting for her first prom date to pick her up, wondering if he was going to bail on her?
“Fine,” he mumbled. His lack of excitement was almost disappointing. Almost.
Relief flickered across the attendant’s face, and she smiled brightly at them. “Great! I’m sure you two will get along famously.”
Kate snorted. “Sure.”