Free Flirting with Fate by Jerrie Alexander Page A

shirt collar. She dusted imaginary lint off his shirt. She didn’t want him to go. After all these years of him holding her at arm’s length, she wanted to take advantage of this time together.
    “Do I pass inspection?”
    “Stop fishing for a compliment,” she joked. “You’re fully aware of the effect you have on the opposite sex.”
    “I only care about the reaction of one individual of the opposite sex.” Logan threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her deeply. When he released her, she struggled to wipe the smile off her face.
    “I gotta go.”
    She took his hand and walked him to the door. “Careful she doesn’t wind up using you.”
    His laugh echoed in the hall. Quick and hearty. She loved the sound. It made his eyes dance and her knees weak as hell.
    Reluctantly, she slipped on one of her new outfits, piled her hair on top of her head, and went shopping. Her first stop was the gift shop, where she purchased a pair of crescent-shaped earrings. Tiny faux diamond chips surrounded the curved blue stones. They sparkled when she moved her head and made her feel more cheerful.
    Next stop was the ski shop. She spent time chatting with the ski instructor, Ryan. Tall and twenty, he had a free hour, so he suited her up and they went outside. Bundled up with nothing more than her face exposed, the cold still sent tiny prickles across her cheeks. Ryan took her through the basics and over the small manmade terrain for students.
    “You don’t need a lesson,” Ryan said. “Too many skiers think they can hang with the more advanced, and they wind up hurt. I suggest you try the beginner slope first. If you’re comfortable at the bottom, then try the more demanding slope tomorrow.”
    “Good advice.”
    After they’d gone inside, she thanked Ryan and then returned to her room, having fulfilled Logan’s request. She hadn’t spoken with Nan since arriving, and now would be a good time to call.
    Elle kicked off her shoes, removed her bra, and piled the pillows high on her bed. With her cell in hand and her book back on the nightstand, she made herself comfortable. A call to her grandmother always made her feel better. They chatted about everything including why Elle was at Castle Alainn. She finally confided that Logan had been sent to keep her out of trouble.
    “Not surprising. Eric has tried to be your dad for years. Want me to tell him to back off?”
    Elle chuckled. “No. But I think Logan’s going to when we return.”
    “It’s about time. You and that boy have been mooning over each other for years,” Nan said with a laugh.
    “Nan,” Elle answered. “What makes you say that?”
    “Honey, everyone could see it but you two. Took long enough for you knuckleheads to get together.”
    “Could be because Eric constantly reminded Logan not to even look at me.”
    “That wasn’t such a bad thing.”
    “You knew?”
    “I’m old, not stupid. Last thing you or Logan needed was to have a kid at sixteen.”
    “You don’t know that would’ve happened.” Elle couldn’t believe her ears.
    Nan’s sigh was a warning. She wasn’t going to let Elle get away with denying anything. “Back then, neither of you had enough brains to pour piss out of a boot. Sometimes, I’m not sure about now. You are using protection, aren’t you?”
    “Nan,” Elle exclaimed, her cheeks burning as she spoke. Silence on the other end of her call reminded her that Nan would wait until she got her answer. “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Good. Love happens when the time is right. But true love won’t wait forever for you to catch up with it. I think you and Logan have grown up enough to handle the responsibilities that come with loving another person. You’ll probably have to take control. Sometimes a man needs a little push.”
    “I will. He’s not getting away.” Elle ended the call, laid back on her bed, and stared at the ceiling. She hoped that someday she’d be as kind and understanding as her grandmother. Elle had