The Resolution - The Bet
Chapter 24
They arrive at the chalet at 9:55 a.m. As they step into the living room, six pairs of eyes swivel—first to Caro, then to Gregg.
“OK, spill,” Lucy demands. “You left here last night dressed in black, and now you’re back nearly fifteen hours later in ski gear?”
Sally, Susie, Jim, and Nick exchange knowing grins with Caro, while Tom pouts before adding with a grin, “You’ve already been skiing? That’s not fair!”
Caro and Gregg take the remaining chairs. “I got back around 10:30,” Caro says, glancing at Gregg for confirmation. He nods.
“The place was empty, so I went straight to bed. This morning, Gregg picked me up for a dawn ski run which”— she locks eyes with Tom — “was incredible.”
“Bitch,” Tom says, clearly teasing.
Lucy’s not done. “And where have you been since? Dawn was ages ago.”
“I made breakfast at my place,” Gregg explains. “We started the run from there.”
“Anything else you need to know?” Caro asks, flashing Lucy a playful smile. “Because we’re burning valuable slope time.”
“Yes!” Tom agrees, jumping up. “Let’s go!”
Everyone nods, except Lucy, who narrows her eyes at Caro, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. “Later. I want all the details,” she warns.
Laughing, Caro hugs her. They grab their skis and gear and head to the lift.
The morning is a dream—perfect snow, blue skies, and growing confidence on the slopes. Lunch buzzes with chatter and teasing, though Caro barely sees Gregg; as soon as he finishes eating, he slips away, phone in hand.
He’s working, she tells herself. Being professional.
That afternoon, the group decides to try the red run. On the gondola, Gregg pairs them up—he and Tom in the lead, with Caro and Nick following.
“We’ve got time for three runs. If anyone wants to drop out after one or two and stick to the blue, no judgment,” he says.
They all agree. Soon, Nick, Tom, and Caro are placing bets on their times, using Apple Watches to track the runs.
On the first descent, Nick takes the lead, Caro close behind, with Tom trailing. On the second run, Nick and Tom tie, pushing Caro to third. The others bow out, leaving just the four of them for the final red.
Gregg has Nick go first, spacing everyone by a minute. Once he’s out of sight, Gregg turns to Caro, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
“Just us now,” he murmurs, stepping closer. His gloved hand brushes a strand of hair from her cheek. “You’ve got snow in your lashes.”
She laughs, but it dies quickly when he leans in and kisses her. It starts soft, but deepens fast—hungry, possessive. When he finally pulls away, her breath catches.
“Think you can catch them?” he teases, eyes dancing with challenge.
“Not a chance,” she smirks, barely able to stay upright on her skis.
They ski together, carving down the red run. Caro’s slower than the others, but it hardly matters—her legs feel like jelly and her mind is still up at the top of the slope, pressed against him.
Later, at the bar, Jim asks, “So who won the time trial?”
“Tom did,” Gregg says. “Nick was a close second.”
“What happened to you, Caro?” Jim asks, curious.
“I stalled at the top,” she replies, fighting a smile. “Someone distracted me.”
“You, OK?” Sally asks, concerned.
“I’m fine,” Caro assures her.
“Good thing Gregg stayed with you,” Susie says, her expression completely deadpan.
“Another beer?” Gregg offers quickly, rising with Tom.
“What’s the plan tonight?” Caro asks the group.
“Jim and I are going on a sleigh ride,” Lucy says, curling up next to him.
“Tom, Nick, Sally, and I are going curling,” Susie chimes in. “You in?”
“Tempting, but Gregg’s invited me to his for dinner… and to stay the night,” Caro says with a grin.
Lucy suddenly looks smug, extending her hand as the others hand over five euros.
Caro narrows her eyes. “Wait… the interrogation this morning wasn’t concern—it was a bet?”
Lucy beams. “And I win, because you’re going to have sex tonight.”
At that exact moment, Gregg and Tom return with drinks and catch the end of Lucy’s declaration.
“Who’s having sex tonight?” Gregg asks with a smirk.
The group freezes.
Jim jumps in, quickly explaining the bet.
Gregg raises a brow. “Right. Who bet we had sex last night?”
Susie slowly raises her hand.
“And who had this morning?”
No one moves. Caro bites her lip to keep from laughing.
Gregg grins. “I did. Caro, would you mind confirming?”
Still laughing, Caro wipes her eyes. “This morning, after our dawn ski.”
Gregg turns to Lucy. “I’ll take my winnings now, thanks.”
He uses the money to cover the bar tab. When he returns, he catches Caro’s eye, then slides an arm around her waist.
“Ready to go?” he asks, his voice low and full of promise.
“Yes,” she says, already feeling warm just from his touch. He leans in and brushes her lips with his.
Turning back to the group, she smiles. “Lucy, I hope the sleigh ride’s romantic—and not too cold. And Susie, who should I bet on for curling?”
“Tom,” the group says in unison.
“Then I’m not betting,” she laughs. “Enjoy your night, everyone. See you tomorrow at ten.”
Gregg wraps an arm around her shoulders as they head out into the snow, his breath warm against her temple.
Back at the table, Jim gets up to pay.
“No need,” the bartender says. “The tab’s been taken care of.”
“Gregg used his winnings,” Tom grins. “A true gent.”
As they settle back into their seats, Lucy sighs. “Such a shame they only have the week.”
“They really seem well-suited,” Susie agrees.
“Still, a week’s better than nothing,” Sally says, glancing at Nick. “It’ll do her confidence good.”
Nick shakes his head very slightly.
“What do you mean?” Susie presses.
“Just… she’s been looking for something real. Her last few dates were a bit of a disaster,” Sally explains.
Nick nods, smiling at her.
Everyone smiles, the enjoyment of the day lingering with them.