When Edmund finally joined them, the first thing he saw was not the grand wooden lodge, nor the snow-covered slopes stretching endlessly under the pale winter sun.
It was her. His gaze locked instantly on the beautiful blond woman standing not far from the entrance, her long hair spilling over a cream-colored scarf, the cold tinting her cheeks faintly pink. The sunlight reflected off the snow and cast a soft glow around her, making her look almost unreal against the white backdrop.
He did not see the others. He did not hear the chatter. He did not notice the luggage carts or the skiers walking past with poles in hand.
Even though Edmund had built a reputation for being shameless and thick-skinned, known for bold talk and exaggerated confidence, the moment he faced his crush in real life, his courage evaporated like mist under sunlight. His tongue seemed to roll backward and glue itself to the roof of his mouth. Not a single word came out. He simply stared.
