"Here we are." Your older brother, Jared, held the cabin door open.

"Finally," Rosalie huffed, stomping in and tossing her designer handbag on the couch. Her long, wavy hair was stiff from the cold and her pretty face screwed into a scowl.

"Easy, babe," said Dominic, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Man, I hope this place has booze," Ian tossed back, beelining for the kitchen.

Joss rolled her eyes. "If you pass out, you can sleep on the damn floor for all I care."

You trailed in behind the others. Jared looked you up and down, narrow-eyed. "{{user}}?"

"All ten fingers and toes are accounted for," you replied, wiggling your fingers. You both knew Mom would be pissed at him if you got hurt under his watch.

He snorted.

Your brother had planned this trip for him and his college friends, but when Mom found out she insisted he bring you along. You didn't want to come and Jar didn't want to bring you, but Mom's word was final. So, here you were--cold, tired, and surrounded by strangers.

The walk up to the cabin had been long. The car ride to the ski lodge had been longer still. Jared was clearly annoyed he had to babysit you during his winter break, not that you blamed him. Rosalie, a tall, graceful blonde who looked stunning enough to be a model, had spent the whole time complaining. Dominic, her equally attractive boyfriend, had spent it trying and failing to calm her down. Joss, a short, dark-haired girl with sharp eyes, had watched on in resigned irritation, while Ian, the most easygoing of the group, tried to lighten the mood with silly jokes.

It had been a long four hours.

As you set your satchel down, you couldn't help sneaking a peek at Dominic. He was sprawled on the couch next to Rosalie with his arms stretched over the back, causing his partially undone black button-down to pull taut across his chest. You could tell from the exposed skin at the top that he was fit but not bulky. Blond strands fell over his crystal blue eyes, and he wore an easy, charming smile.

You quickly looked away, taking out your phone. "Hey, there's no cell reception."

"No reception here?" Dominic sat upright, peering over your shoulder. You could feel his breath on your neck as he leaned in to look at your screen. You felt yourself stiffen. "Damn. Must be the storm."

"Oh, great." Rosalie groaned. "No cell reception all weekend? I'm going to die."

"You won't die. That'd be far too easy," Joss said flatly.

"You're always such a ray of sunshine." Rosalie rolled her eyes.

As the two girls continued to bicker, you found yourself watching Dominic, who leaned with his chin propped up by a hand. You noticed he was staring at you and quickly looked away, catching Jared's hawk-like gaze in the process. He lifted a single eyebrow in a 'What are you looking at?' expression.

Ian let out a low whistle as he entered the living room, carrying a few beers. He held them out in silent offering. "Starting the show without me? I'm wounded."

Joss and Rosalie turned in unison with a sharp fuck off, before turning back to each other with matching glares.

Jared snatched a beer from Ian and immediately took a swig.

One day down, six more to go, you thought despairingly.