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That old impression is reinvigorated here in Freiberg. He graduated from the Universität last year, so he’s working full time in the family business now, which means he has less time to play but more money to spend. We don’t see him as often during the week—except on the rare occasions when he drops by the student union for lunch. On the weekends, he buys rounds and springs for dinners. I can see why girls like older men—they can treat you like a queen.
I fight hard to keep my middle school feelings from resurfacing. I’m not ready to settle down—not in Freiberg or in Oregon. I want to see more of the world and find my place in it. Falling for a handsome foreigner—who might be unofficial royalty—is not the right move for me, even if he is becoming one of my closest friends.
But he’s not making it easy.
Chapter Fourteen
TEO
The “mountain fest thing,” as Lina likes to call it, takes place on Frauenwald, a local ski hill. As the only resort within the city-state of Freiberg, it’s considered an important tourist destination, although it has only a small lodge and three chair lifts.
In October, they prepare for the season with a festival at the top of the ski run. Hardy souls traditionally hike up the mountain, but most of us take the lift chairs. I borrow Opa’s old car again and drive Eva, Lina, and Hans up to the resort. We could have taken the train, but it’s almost an hour from the city center.
“Ooh, so pretty!” Lina jumps out of the car, staring at the little chalets scattered across the green, rolling hills.
“This is a ski resort?” Eva looks around, perplexed. “Aren’t the Alps supposed to be famous for skiing? This looks like a bunny hill.”
“We’re not really in the Alps. This area is more foothills than mountains.” I turn, gesturing to the wilderness around us. “But that doesn’t stop us from having a ski hill. Kinda like Hoodoo, back home.”
She slips her arms into the sleeves of her puffy coat. “It’s colder than home.”
“True.” I unlock the trunk and lean in to pull a box from the depths. “I brought some blankets.” I hand a thick blue plaid blanket to Hans and take a second one myself, then lock the trunk. “This way.”
Behind the line of chalets, we join a small crowd in a line leading to the ski lift. Most of the people around us are older—ranging from late twenties to middle aged, some with small children in tow. A half-dozen ancient-looking men and women glare and shake their heads as they stump by, heading for the narrow trail leading to a wider cat track up the hill. The cluster of loud thirty-somethings wearing sports jerseys and jeans pause their argument about football to hurl insults at the elderly people. The old folks reply in kind, then laugh.
Eva shivers and zips her coat. “Those guys are going to freeze.”
“Nope.” Hans mimes chugging a drink. “Didn’t ya see the flask? They brought liquid warmth.”
“But we’re going to a fest. Won’t there be plenty of beer on top?” Eva shuffles a few steps forward, following the footballers.
“Of course.”
When we reach the front of the line, Hans takes Lina’s arm. “Looks like there’s only room for three on each lift. Lina can come with me, and you two go behind.” He gives me a meaningful look—he’s been pestering me to ask Eva out since he arrived. And yet, when I asked her if she’d like to come to the Frauenwaldfest, he invited himself and Lina to tag along. He claims he’s just being a good wingman, but I’m not convinced Hans knows what that means.
He and Lina step onto the red plastic marker, then sit when the chair slides in behind them. It whisks them away from the ground, and Eva and I step into place behind it. The operator slows the system each time a chair approaches, giving us time to get situated before our feet leave the ground.
I hand Eva the fringed end of the green and red blanket and drape the other end over my legs, tucking the edge under.
She follows my example, scooting closer to make it fit. I lift my arm and place it on the back of the bench, giving her a little more room.
See, I’m not a total loser when it comes to “moves.”
Eva gives me a swift look, then settles back against my arm. “This is a beautiful area.” We gaze up the hill in front of us, the chair bobbing a little as we climb.
“Wait until we go over the top. You can see the real Alps from there—or at least the closest parts.” The chair swoops up the steep hill, then seems to pop over the top. The distant white mountains come into view, pristine, jagged, and stunning.
The wind hits us, taking my breath away. Eva gasps and scoots closer. “That is cold!”
I fasten the neck of my jacket, then wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. With my free hand, I unfold a layer of the blanket and tuck it around her upper body and shoulders. “That’s why I brought the blanket.” Pretty smooth, if I do say so myself.
Ahead, Lina shrieks as Hans nearly loses the blanket I gave him. They argue for a few seconds, then snuggle together under the thick wool.
“This looks like a Pendleton.” Eva pokes the fabric from underneath.
“It is. I’ve picked up a few over the years.” Way to win the girl with your scintillating conversation about textiles, Teo.
She snuggles against my side, shivering a little. “I should have brought a hat.”
