Destined by Chance

Chapter 11

"No way," Simi said loudly shaking her head for effect.

She had been a bit guilty and a bit shamed at how she had placed that chair under the knob of her door last night so she had immediately apologized to Neil when he had come in about half an hour ago. He had been so confused but when she had explained he had burst out laughing much to her indignation. Though she had appreciated that he hadn't taken offense and then realized that his laughter had caused her goose bumps. The sound had boomed across the room and had been so amazing she had just stared at him in wonderment. She had of course smiled sheepishly at the end of it though. She couldn't help it. It was infectious.

"You did that because you were peeved?" Neil had asked.

And Simi had nodded her head dumbly.

"Why?" he had asked curiously when he had finally stopped laughing.

And Simi hadn't known how to answer that one. She couldn't tell him she found him attractive and that the attraction was growing with every passing second along with the ever growing list of his attributes. And that she was feeling more down than ever. So she had been irritated. Nope, that wouldn't do at all. And having concluded that, she had just shrugged.

"You don't trust me still," Neil had asked keeping his tone casual.

But Simi had heard the seriousness behind it.

"No, that is not it," she had immediately countered. She had seen him go quiet and just watch her face with those keen eyes. And though she had felt uncomfortable under that steady gaze she had refused to let it show.

"Okay, then you will have to prove it," he had said and Simi had been confused.

'Prove it'. How?

"I don't understand," was what she had told him.

"Well, you will have to prove you trust me," Neil had said in a very nonchalant way.

"And how do I do that," Simi had asked curiously.

"You have to come and ski with me," he had said with dead seriousness.

And Simi's jaw had dropped open. Ski? With him? Was he nuts? She had never skied in her life. And she hated extremely cold weather. To go out. In all that snow. On the top of a mountain. And then go down the slope. No way was she going to do that. And for what? Just to prove she trusted him. Nope. She wasn't the adventurous types. Just coming here in Preet's place was adventurous enough.

If her mother got wind of what she had been up to, especially about sharing a suite with a man she would be hanged. No way. Maybe he was jesting with her considering she had practically locked him out last night. And she had narrowed her gaze at him but had found no mirth. Of course, his eyes did have a glint in them but apart from that it was perfectly calm. And so here she was telling him she wasn't going to do any of that just to prove she trusted him.

"So that means you don't trust me," Neil said pointedly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I am sure there is another way to prove that I do trust you," Simi said almost pleading.

"Okay," Neil said as he stroked his jaw thoughtfully and Simi seemed to be hopeful about what he was going to suggest, "I had thought it would be nice if I had company when I went skiing but it seems I would be disappointed on that account," he said as he drew a deep breath, "but that is alright Simi," he said, "I will go alone and if someone happens to ask you why you weren't joining your husband for skiing you could give them whatever answer you choose," he told her and then releasing the breath started to stand up.

"Wait..." Simi said almost instantly and then as he waited she regretted getting all emotional about his talk. He had done it deliberately. She knew that. She could see the mischief in his green eyes. She shouldn't. She should tell him to go take a hike. But she didn't. She had never been harsh with anyone. She wasn't beginning now. But it was the holidays right. And she was here to enjoy. Then why not? What would a little snow do to her? And she could always decide not to ski after a try or two.

There was no harm in trying something new. And with Neil for company. Just last night she had been wishing he could look at her in a different way. Maybe that was not what was happening but she could find a friend in him. Now there was nothing wrong with that. Even as the idea took root she found a strange excitement flutter in her stomach. And she decided not to think as much. She hadn't been thinking since the time she had said yes to Preet for this crazy idea. So why start now? Go with the flow, she thought. Where else will she get to spend time with such a gorgeous man? Besides she would try something new. Something different. Loosen up a bit. And she wanted to. For once in her life, she wanted to be a bit carefree and see where that took her.

"I am waiting," Neil said with a smile. He knew what her answer was going to be. He hadn't wanted to throw the emotional card but it had worked. And that was that.

"Alright, I will go with you," Simi said a bit grumpily, "but not because you practically blackmailed me over my guilt," she said and he grinned. So the cad knew what he had done. Only she couldn't really be mad at him for it. "I will go because I want to try something new," she said and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Whatever reason works for you works for me," Neil said grinning.

"And you will not get away with that emotional card always," she warned.

"Bundle up sweetheart, we are going skiing," was what Neil told her as an answer to her warning.

He neither acknowledged her warning nor disregarded it. As he went to shower and change Simi sat there shaking her head. What was she doing? And she took in a deep breath. No thinking, she reminded herself. A skiing adventure with Neil Roy Mackay. It didn't get more exciting than this. Maybe her holidays weren't going to be just sitting by the fireplace and reading books. And Simi smiled. Slowly.

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