The snow had finally ceased, and the full moon shone bright as day, reflecting on the pure whiteness and casting shadows of the tall hemlocks. Sam had left Darby to play Chutes and Ladders with Justin’s kids while he and Sophie donned snowshoes for an evening hike. He watched her hair sway with the movement of her hips. He tried not to look at her hips. He cleared his throat.
“You know, I did a little Facebook stalking awhile back and saw you had a boyfriend.”
Sophie slowed and let him equal her stride. “You did what?” She slid a glance.
“Yeah. He looked like a football player—broad shoulders, tall. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought it was me.” Sam smirked.
“Uh. Yeah. I guess Leo did look a bit like you.”
“You still together?”
“Nah. I really wanted to like him. But…”
“But?”
Sophie turned. “Remember the time we went to see the zoo lights? We took photos in the tunnel of lights?” How could he forget?
“And there was that six-foot blob fish light?” Sam blurted out and let out a snort.
“We did our best blob fish impressions.” Sam pulled his lips back, forming his mouth like a fish. Sophie laughed hysterically. She caught hold of herself and matched his imitation. Sam let out a rumble, which started Sophie giggling so much she had to lean over to catch her breath. Sam pushed her shoulders back, and she landed in the snow.
Sophie let out a surprised squeal. “You are so dead!” She grabbed a handful of snow, making a quick snowball, and threw it at Sam.
He deflected, his arm covering his face. “Oh, I see how it is.” He took a few steps back and gathered a snowball. Sophie dodged it, grabbed a handful of snow, and ran behind him. She jumped on his back and crammed it under his hoodie and down his back. She laughed as she slid back to the ground, adjusting her stance on her snowshoes.
He let out a scream and pulled his hoody off, shaking the snow out of it. Sam didn’t miss her eyes working their way from his belly button slowly up to his lips.
She crossed her arms and stepped back. “We had planned to use the blobfish photos for our engagement photos.” Her voice was soft.
Sam shook out his sweatshirt once more and slid it back on. Pain etched his face.
“I had to break up with Leo. He didn’t fit the Sam shaped hole in my heart.” She started to walk away. Sam caught up to her, turned her towards him, and pulled her into his arms.
“Sophie.” She placed her hands on his biceps. He took a breath. His blue eyes searched hers. “I am so sorry. I thought I would die without you, but I really believed I was doing the right thing. There has never been a day when I haven’t thought about you and how stupid I was to let you go.” He kissed her forehead. She stepped away and turned towards the lodge.
“Where do you think things would be if it had worked out?”
“Happy. I’m not the one who ended it.” She took a step. “You better get back to Darby. It’s probably her bedtime and there’s a big day ahead.”
* * *
Sophie walked as quickly as she could, her snowshoes kicking up fluffy white puffs. Sam had Facebook stalked her? It wasn’t like she hadn’t done the same. Seen that there had been no sign of him dating again. Maybe there was hope for them.
Nope. This was a bad idea. She was just going to get hurt again. Why did he have to go and hug her? Stir up old memories of how good it felt to be in his arms. And his woodsy scent. No. Just no. She needed to stay as far away as possible. She’d just keep her head down and do her job. There were only a few more days, anyway. She could make it through.
She sat on a bench near the front entrance and removed her snowshoes, leaving them in a box to dry. Going into the lobby, she stopped by the coffee bar and made some hot cocoa to take to her room. She was ready to snuggle into a blanket and watch a cheesy Christmas movie.
Alone.
By herself.
Ugh.
A woman that reminded her of her grandma stirred her cocoa beside her. “Isn’t this place beautiful? I just love it here.”
“It is, for sure.”
“And that full moon. So romantic.” She took a sip of her cocoa, testing for taste. “I saw you two out there. You looked like you were having fun. I could see love written all over your faces.” She waggled her eyebrows. “I remember my Albert and I met here at Christmas, forty-odd years ago.” Gotta get out of here.
Sophie began to walk away. The woman put her hand on Sophie’s shoulder. “That could be you, dear. Forty years of married bliss.”
“Uh. Thanks. I’m happy for you. Really.” She held up her cup and motioned towards the stairs.
Maybe that worked for some people. Not her. If only the Europe trip hadn’t fallen through. She wouldn’t have had to face him. Or heard his deep voice. Or seen his cute kid. Movie. Focus. Going to watch a movie.