My travel education and passport have definitely gotten an upgrade over the last six months, but I had seen nothing in this world that compared to the Swiss Alps.

Rolling hills capped with snow, crystal valleys with lakes that held a mirror of the picture-perfect clouds. The freshest air I’d ever breathed, and gigantic pine trees that had probably graced the hills for far longer than anyone who was residing in them had been alive.

Even from the plane windows coming in, my breath had stood still in my lungs. It was as if God or the creator of this beautiful planet, depending on which theory you subscribed to, had put this monumental place here just for people to stop and awe at. And on the ground … it was so much more.

The natural landscape was astonishing, and the upscale resort that Asher had booked only added to its charm. Dozens of log cabin buildings dotted the mountainside, the tall peaks rising up behind the beautiful little village. Korbier was apparently the most upscale, private ski resort in the Alps, and you could only make a reservation after a background and credit check, and three members vouching for your credentials. Naturally, the group of people I was with had no problem.

“We may need to start you out on the bunny hill, Nora.” Ed winks at me as he passes through the sunporch with his plate of breakfast.

He, Asher, Eloise, Speri, and the twins, Lillian and Alexander, that I don’t know as well are all staying in the villa. We got in late last night, my sense of direction and time kind of thrown off coming from rainy London to snowy Switzerland. I hadn’t seen snow since last Christmas in Pennsylvania, and it brought the sense of homesickness rushing back.

The villa had eight bedrooms, all with private bathrooms that had sauna tubs and rainfall showers. It had six fireplaces, a game room, a hot tub, and a sun porch where I had spent almost every hour so far. The room was comprised solely of windows, and the natural light glistening off the snow made the mountain in full view look like some kind of gleaming Mount Olympus.

“You forget that I’m from one of the East Coast’s prime skiing locations, and that I was on a snowboard before you were probably even sucking your thumb.” I sip my coffee, not even turning to address him with my barb.

He snorts from the large arm chair by the fireplace in the corner. “Snowboard? How impoverished of you. And those are measly States mountains. You’ve never seen the Alps before.”

I rolled my eyes, less than intimidated by him. “Just see if you can keep up.”

While my time had mostly been spent in books and computers, I really did enjoy the winter season back home. I wasn’t normally the athletic type of girl, but there was something holy about sliding down the side of a mountain, nothing but the wind in your hair and the cold biting at your face.

“Morning.” Asher sits down across from me, his plate piled high with an English breakfast assortment.

He’s been … different, to say the least. I hadn’t even hesitated to say yes to coming on this weekend trip, which could have not worked well in my favor. We haven’t discussed those two days, or what happened at the opera. I didn’t want to bring it up on the plane ride, where he was friendly but didn’t sit in the seat next to me. And when we’d arrived, he claimed he was tired and took a room on the opposite side of the house from me.

I was trying to trap my questions and feelings inside as to not blurt them out, but I didn’t know how long that would last.

“Good morning. Sleep well?” What I really want to ask is why he didn’t at least try to come to my room.

Not that I’d ever done anything like that, let alone sleep with another person in a bed besides my mom, but we were teenagers on a trip alone. Since we’d started … doing whatever it is that we’re doing, we’d never once been on an overnight trip that gave us this opportunity. And now, when I thought he’d be jumping at the chance, he’d gone to bed like I was the least attractive girl on the face of the earth.

“I did, yeah. Can’t wait to get on the slopes.” He smiled, and I tried to search for some other meaning behind that.

“Nora, do you ski?” Alexander, who was actually quite nice and unassuming compared to this crew, looked to me.

“I snowboard actually, which I’m sure is a sin on these mountains, but I don’t really change who I am.”

That’s a semi-lie, I’ve changed a lot since moving to Europe, and even more since beginning to hang out with Asher and his friends. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t even recognize myself anymore. Accepting the invitation to come on this trip, and boarding the plane, that feeling only sank in further. But I made myself a promise as I laid awake last night, wondering about a stupid boy. I was too smart a woman to allow this world, the money and power and lust, change me. I promised myself that I would try to be my most authentic self from here on in.

Glancing across the table, I catch Asher’s eye. There is something unreadable in those green pools, and I’m trying not to ask him what he thinks.

“All right, children … let’s get a move on. I’m going to kick all of your arses out there on that snow.” Ed runs upstairs to his room with all the grace of a toddler.

An hour later, after a stop in at the chalet for some pre-skiing hot apple cider and a tense lift ride, we all stand at the top of the mountain.

“I’m going to take the black diamond run, sissies. See you at the bottom!” Ed takes off, practically diving into the mountainside.

“We’re going to stick to the green circle, thanks. Nora, you coming?” Speri and Eloise head for the easier run.

Lillian and Alexander are still on the lift, something about buying new boots. It’s only us four, standing at the top with the question floating in the air.

“Actually, I’m going to board on the black diamond. But thanks!” I wave them off, and they shrug and start down the easier trail.

“So how about you, pretty boy?” I turn to him, finally alone for the first time in nearly a week.

He smiles, the first truly genuine one I’ve seen since Vienna. “This pretty boy is actually pretty good, if you didn’t know. But then again, I’m doing the real winter sport. I’m not sure what that wonky board you’re wearing is.”

“Bet I can beat you to the bottom.” I can’t help but flirt, because the banter between us feels too good.

Asher moves closer. “I think that’s a bet I just might need to take.”

And without warning, he springs into action, sliding down the slope with the ease and grace of a skilled jungle cat. My muscles move, using their practiced pull and push to get my body into motion.

Once, I’m going, speeding down the mountain full force as I swing my hips and use my arms to balance. Snow flies up behind me, the cool unadulterated air filling my lungs.

At first, Asher is far away, using his skiing poles to propel him faster. But soon, I’m right on his tail, maneuvering around trees and snow drifts down the difficult course.

“Bloody hell!” Asher yells as I pass him, the gleeful smile painting my lips is one of pure happiness.

I’m in my natural element, and all of the worries and doubts about my life right now melt away. I don’t think about the move or the wedding, the paparazzi or college or even Asher. I just let my feet glide along the white powder, the sun beating down upon my face.

As we near the bottom, he and I are neck and neck. I can practically taste the win, and even though I’m not usually a competitive person, I feel the burn of becoming a champion heat my blood.

Ed stands at the bottom, a couple of other resort-stayers watching as we speed down the slope.

But instead of Asher moving ahead of me, or me pulling out the last-minute win … we crest to a stop at the exact same time.

“A tie … so what happens now?” I wipe my brow, the adrenaline from the race coursing through me.

“I guess it means I buy you a drink.” Asher shrugs, and I can’t help but fall under his spell again.