“Then it’s decided. Nova is back to Nepal in January, and Wilder will work on the X Games,” Bobby said, snapping his folder shut. “Go team.”

“Now on to more important things,” Pax said with a grin.

“Like?” Rachel asked.

“Like turkey,” I said enthusiastically.

She laughed, and it was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard.

…

“I’m fine, Mom,” I said into the laptop the next day as I buttoned my shirt. Leah had threatened us all within an inch of our lives if we didn’t dress up for Thanksgiving.

“Are you sure? I mean, we heard about the avalanche, Landon. The least you could have done was called.” Mom gave me the look, and I sighed.

“I didn’t think you’d ever find out. Promise. Never thought that Gabe’s mom would call you, and I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have called. But I’m fine.”

“How are your grades?” She moved on with her typical finesse.

“Good. Holding my four point oh with no problem.”

“Well, at least you haven’t let your silly little activities derail you on that. Any thoughts on which law schools you’ll be applying to next year? I know you’re a semester behind because you thought it would be more fun to go snowboard some godforsaken mountain, but this is important.”

I swallowed, my tongue thick in my throat. “Well—”

“Get off the boy, Hazel.” Dad’s voice came in as his face appeared next to hers in front of the screen. “How’s it going, Lando?”

“Good, Dad. I was just calling to say happy Thanksgiving.”

“It’s not even Thanksgiving here,” Mom said.

“It’s Thanksgiving there,” Dad told her with a shake of his head. “Meet any girls yet?”

“He’s concentrating on his studies,” Mom argued.

“He’s twenty-two, almost twenty-three, and he’s trapped on a boat where at least half the population is female. I hardly think he’s spending all his free time at the library.”

“No, he’s busy trying to get himself killed. Think about that avalanche, Art!” she snapped.

If there was one thing I didn’t miss about being home, it was the constant bickering between these two. I knew they loved each other to distraction, but sometimes I failed to see the connective tissue.

“He’s fine. Landon, how did the new avalanche beacons work out?”

“Great,” I answered truthfully. “Rachel was the first to get a hit, and they had Gabe dug out in record time.”

Mom blinked, and Dad’s mouth dropped open. “Dear…” Mom started. “When you say Rachel…”

I laughed, loving the ability to shock her every once in a while. “I mean the Rachel. She’s here.”

“How?”

“Are you two together?”

“I need details!”

My laughter nearly overpowered their demands. Nearly. “You guys. Okay, look. I’ll be home for Christmas, and I’ll bring her by, okay? But you have to swear not to scare her off. Promise.”

“Scout’s honor,” Dad said.

“Well, I mean, I’ve always wanted to meet her. Where does she go to college when you’re not sailing around the world? And what’s her last name again?” Mom asked, no doubt ready to demand a background check on her.

“She goes to Dartmouth, and she’s a journalism major. And Mom…no. Don’t do it.”

“What? Don’t look out for the best interest of my only son?”

Dad rolled his eyes. “Landon, we love you. Go have a great Thanksgiving, and we can’t wait to see you once you’re home in a few weeks. Be safe, okay?”

“Always, Dad. Mom, I love you.”

“I want her last name, Landon!”

“What was that? I can’t hear you. We’re breaking up or something…must be pulling away from port… Love you! ’Bye!” I slammed the laptop shut.

I quickly tied my tie and then ran my hands through my hair. This was as good as I was going to get…as soon as I adjusted this knot.

“How is it possible to be so incredibly sexy?” Rachel asked from my doorway.

I winked at her in the mirror as I finished with the tie and caught my breath. My fingers tangled in the knot as she walked in. Her black dress wrapped around her body, hugging each line, and was secured by a single tie.

One little pull.

Her hair was swept up, and she looked different somehow…

“Need some help there?” she asked with a smile.

“You have makeup on,” I noticed, appreciating the way her eyes stood out.

“Well, we’re not in a mudslide or stuck in a Himalayan snowstorm, so I thought it seemed appropriate.”

“You’re gorgeous either way,” I told her honestly as she adjusted my tie. “I happen to adore every side of you. Makeup, no makeup…clothes, no clothes.”

She smiled up at me, and my heart clenched, then flew. How easily this could be our normal life. We could be getting ready for any event, a graduation, a date…an anniversary.

“Thank you,” she said simply. “You make me feel beautiful.”

A longing took hold in my soul. I’d always told her that she was it for me—my own little piece of infinity, but here, I saw it. Felt it. Longed for it. I wanted her boarding next to me on the slopes in Colorado. I wanted her coming home to me in L.A. after a long day. I wanted her arms around me when shit went wrong, and I wanted to celebrate with her when it all went right.