A Magical Christmas. Elizabeth Rolls

      “Maybe you’ll be better at it now you’ve got me. If you want to know how the female mind works, you can ask,” she said generously, and Tyler opened his mouth and closed it again.

      “Thanks, sweetheart. I appreciate that.” Deciding that the conversation was getting more awkward, not less, he dug out his car keys. “Now get in the car before both of us freeze in the doorway. We need to get to the store before it closes.”

      “It would have been easier for you if I’d been a boy. Then we wouldn’t have to have embarrassing conversations.”

      “Don’t you believe it. Teenage boys are the worst. I know. I was one. And I’m not embarrassed.” Tyler’s tongue felt thick in his mouth. “Why would I be embarrassed by something that’s a normal part of growing up? If there’s anything you want to ask—” please, God, don’t let there be anything she wanted to ask “—you come straight out and say it.”

      She tugged on her boots. “I’m good. But I need to get to the store.”

      He grabbed her coat and thrust it at her. “Wrap up. It’s freezing out there.”

      “Can Ash and Luna come?”

      “On a trip to the store?” He was about to ask why he would want to take two hyperactive dogs on a trip to the village, but then saw her hopeful expression and decided the dogs might be the best cure for awkward. And hopefully, they’d take her mind off her mom and the complexity of human relationships. “Sure. Great idea. Nothing I love more than two panting animals while I’m driving. But you’ll have to keep them under control.”

      Jess whistled for Ash and Luna, who came bounding out, ecstatic at the promise of a trip.

      Tyler drove out of Snow Crystal, slowing down for the guests who were returning from a day on the slopes.

      The resort was half-empty, but it was still early in the season, and he knew visitor numbers would double once the Christmas break arrived.

      And across the Atlantic in Europe, the Alpine Ski World Cup was underway.

      He tightened his grip on the wheel, grateful that Jess was chattering away. Grateful for the distraction.

      “Uncle Jackson told me the snowmaking is going really well. Loads of runs are open. Do you think we might have a big fall of snow? Uncle Sean is here.” She talked nonstop as she stroked Luna. “I saw his car earlier. Gramps said he was here for the meeting, but I don’t get why. He’s a surgeon. He doesn’t get involved in running the business. Or is he going to be here to fix broken legs?”

      “Uncle Sean is working up a preconditioning program with Christy at the spa. They’re trying to reduce skiing injuries. It was Brenna’s idea.” Tyler slowed as they reached the main highway and turned toward the village. The snow was falling steadily, coating the windshield and the road ahead.

      “How come Brenna is the one in charge of the outdoor program when you’re the one with the gold medal?”

      “Because Uncle Jackson had already given her the job before I came home, and because I hate organization almost as much as I hate shopping and cooking. I’m only interested in the skiing part. And Brenna is a great teacher. She’s patient and kind, whereas I want to dump people in a snowdrift if they don’t get it right the first time.” He glanced briefly in his rearview mirror. “Are you going to sleep over with Grandma tonight?”

      “Do you want me to? Are you planning on having sex or something?”

      Tyler almost swerved into the ditch. “Jess—”

      “What? You said I could talk to you about anything.”

      He steadied the car. Focused on the road. “You can’t ask me if I’m planning on having sex.”

      “Why? I don’t want to get in the way, that’s all.”

      “You don’t get in the way.” He wondered why this conversation had to come up while he was driving in difficult conditions. “You never get in the way.”

      “Dad, I’m not stupid. You used to have a lot of sex. I know. I read about it on the internet. This one article said you could get a woman in bed faster than you could make it to the bottom of the slope in the downhill.”

      Feeling as if he’d been hit by another avalanche of awkward, Tyler slowed right down as he approached the village. Lights twinkled in store windows, and a large Christmas tree stood proudly at the end of Main Street. “You don’t want to believe everything you read on the internet.”

      “All I’m saying is, you don’t have to give up sex just because I’m living with you. You need to get out there again.”

      Speechless, he pulled into a parking space by the village store. “I’m not having this conversation with my thirteen-year-old daughter.”

      “I’m nearly fourteen. You need to keep up.”

      “Whatever. My sex life is off-limits.”

      “Did you ever have sex with Brenna? Was she one of the ones you had a relationship with?”

      How was it possible to sweat when the air temperature was below freezing? “That is personal, Jess.”

      “So you did have sex with her?”

      “No! I never had sex with Brenna.” Sex with Brenna was something he didn’t allow himself to think about. Ever. He didn’t think about those abs. He didn’t think about those legs. “And this conversation is over and done.”

      “Because it would be fine with me. I think she really likes you. Do you like her?”

      Realizing he’d just been given permission to have sex by his teenage daughter, Tyler raked his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, of course I do. I’ve known her since we were kids. We’ve hung around together for most of our lives. She’s a good friend.”

      And he wasn’t going to do anything to damage that. Nothing. Not a damn thing.

      He’d messed up every relationship he’d ever had. His friendship with Brenna was the one thing that was still intact, and he intended to keep it that way.

      Jess unclipped her seat belt. “I like Brenna. She’s not all gooey eyed about you like some women are. And she talks to me like a grown-up. If you could give me some money, I’ll go and buy what I need. I’ll buy some stuff for the fridge, too, so if Grandma drops by she’ll be impressed by your housekeeping.”

      “Gooey eyed?” Tyler pulled his wallet out of his pocket. “What is that supposed to mean?”

      Jess shrugged. “Like some of the moms at school. They all wear makeup and tight clothes, in case you’re picking me up. The other day when Kayla picked me up, there was almost a riot. Sometimes the other girls want to know if you’re coming or not. I guess their moms don’t want to bother with the whole lipstick thing if you’re not going to show up.”

      Tyler stared at her. “Are you serious?”

      “Yeah, but it’s okay.” Jess tugged her coat around her skinny frame. “I’m cool with the fact my dad is a national sex symbol. But if you’re going to pick someone I have to live with and call Mom, I’d like you to pick someone like Brenna, that’s all. She doesn’t flick her hair all the time and look at you with a dopey smile.”

      “No one is coming to live with us, you won’t be calling anyone Mom and, for the final time, I’m not going to have sex with Brenna.” Tyler spoke through clenched teeth. “Now go buy whatever it is you need.”

      Jess slid down in her seat. “I can’t.” Her voice was strangled. “Mr. Turner has just gone in there with his son, who is in my class. I want to die.”

      Tyler breathed deeply and then rummaged in the mess in his car until he found an old restaurant bill and a pen. “Make