This was their last dinner together on the mountain. Ashley couldn’t say she was sorry. The monsoon had killed her momentary lapse into being a girl who enjoyed the outdoors. She checked her watch; thirty minutes to blow out her hair and dress before dinner.

Powder stood at the wood-framed mirror doing her makeup. She wore black leather pants, a leopard-print tank top, and an intent expression.

Not wanting to get in her way, Ashley took the hairdryer into the bedroom. When she finished, she unplugged the dryer, wound up the cord, and put it away. Her time on set made her more careful with cables. Opening the small wardrobe, she snagged a pair of jeans.

“Not so fast,” Powder said from the doorway, holding a tube of makeup like a weapon.

“We’re on top of a mountain.”

“You’re dining with one of the hottest guys on the planet. Well, at least that’s what the magazines say, not really my type, but anyway, what kind of friend would I be if I let you go out like that?” Powder patted the counter. “Up.”

Even though she’d just taken a shower, the steam was already gone from the bathroom due to the dry California air. Ashley hopped up and let Powder start her makeup.

“You can wear one of my skirts,” Powder said.

Ashley’s eyes widened and Powder smacked her on the leg. “Eyelids down.”

After Powder finished with a dusting of shimmer powder, Ashley assessed her new look. She wore far more makeup than she usually wore, very black eyeliner and glam, completely unsuitable for the woods. She liked it, but she’d never be able to duplicate the makeup without looking crazed. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Now put on those black tights you wore under your jeans. They’ll work. Black bra and your black tank too.”

Wow, the tank and the tights; she was going to let her layer.

Powder held up a blue and black plaid miniskirt. The hem came to mid-thigh on Ashley, so the skirt must be a micro mini on the tall Powder. It wasn’t much of a layer.

Powder said, “We need to go shopping together when we get back.”

“Cool.” Ashley grabbed her black pullover; the sweater still felt damp under her fingers.

“Ack, don’t, what are you doing?”

“Um, it’s forty degrees.”

“That thing got all wet.”

“My other one got really dirty when I slid on the trail.”

Powder shook her head. “And you wonder why you couldn’t catch that guy back home. What are they teaching you girls in Texas?”

“I will freeze if I go down there like this. I’m wearing a tank top and a mini skirt and its freezing.”

“Please, if some guy doesn’t step up to offer you his jacket or a warm arm around your shoulder within five minutes, I’ll go without makeup all week.”

Ashley gasped. “Really?”

“No. But trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

“I only have the hiking boots.”

“They kind of work.”

***

Ashley walked down the main stairs of the lodge, arm in arm with Powder, hesitant to hear any crap about her outfit. Then again, she knew Powder would give anyone making a crack a smackdown.

The bar area was almost full tonight. A few of the crew sat in overstuffed armchairs scattered around the room, but most stood belly up to the bar. Arms waved and Powder gravitated toward them.

The promised warmth of the fireplace’s golden flames drew Ashley in the other direction. The popping crackles of the wood underscored the country music coming out of the corner jukebox, and the burning log smelled like it was from a real tree instead of a ceramic fake. Ashley breathed in the realness, so different from being on set, and lowered herself to the hearth with a hand against the rough bricks. She hoped the bricks wouldn’t snag Powder’s skirt, but she wasn’t willing to relinquish the position of the fire even if they did. The fire heated the skin of her bare shoulders, and she shifted, trying to expose as much skin as possible to the flames. Any part of her not directly in front of the fire chilled, so she had to keep up the rotation. She sat alone for about one minute.

A male voice said, “Can I get you a drink?”

Ashley turned away from the hypnotic orange glow to look up at the guy. He looked college-aged, and had a love of the outdoors. The flannel gave that away.

“Oh, no, I’m good, thanks.”

“That was killer rain today. Seriously.” He took a sip of his beer.

Before she could answer, another guy joined them wearing a UCLA sweatshirt. “Dude, my trail was mashed up.”

Ashley couldn’t decide if her sudden popularity was because there weren’t many girls in the room or her proximity to the fireplace.

Powder returned from the bar holding two pink drinks. She handed one to Ashley and winked at the nearest guy. “Yep, definitely a day to stay inside.”

Ashley swiveled the glass in her hand, wishing the drink was heated. “Thanks. Uh, what is it?”

“It’s called a Rain Ender,” Powder said.

Ashley smiled at the made-up name and put the chilled glass to her lips. Sweet and tart with a kick. The Rain Ender was juice and something alcoholic. She moved the glass away from the flames, holding the stem against her knees.

The UCLA guy said, “Dude, we’re going to need another round of those.”

Powder looked him up and down. “You’re on the water polo team and you can’t handle a little water?”

Ashley was impressed. She hadn’t realized his sweatshirt was for the water polo team. Powder had moves. She took another drink.

Flannel guy snickered and took a seat by Ashley. Eyeing his warm shirt with a little envy, she watched goose bumps appear on her arm as she raised her glass.

He said, “You go to school around here?”

“No,” Ashley said. “I’m only here for the summer. I’m going to college in Texas next fall.”

“Have you toured UCLA yet? I could show you around.”

“It’s on my to-do list. What’s your major?”

“Urban design.”

“No way.”

“Way.”

Ashley said, “I’m going to be an architect, too.”

“Really?” The flannel guy looked pleased as he held out a hand. “I’m Scott.”

“Ashley.” She took his calloused hand and shook it. Scott seemed reluctant to let go when she pulled back. Her only reluctance was that his hand was warm.

“So what’s your interest? Building restoration, new design, community planning?”

“Mmm, I don’t know enough about them to say for certain, but probably new design.”

“That’s what I thought when I was a freshman, but I totally changed after a few classes, so you should keep your mind open to the possibilities.”

“She knows her mind pretty well.” A British voice joined the group.

Ashley smiled up at Caz and held up her free hand.

His return smile was brooding as he took in her outfit. She braced for a smart remark, but he didn’t deliver one. He took her hand and squeezed in beside her then said, “When we went house hunting, she knew exactly what she liked.”

Scott’s smile wavered.

Ashley sent Caz a quizzical look. He made it sound like they were moving in together. Was he trying to add to the gossip? Whatever. He looked warm in his big cozy sweater. She leaned back against him and breathed in. The soap he used had some type of woodsy tone, different from his usual stuff, still nice, though.

“Well, like I said, she should keep her options open.” Scott rose from his seat on the fireplace then bent down and clicked his beer against her glass. “I’m Scott Parrnelli. Find me in the student directory if you want that tour.” With those words, he walked away, back toward the bar.

Caz said, “The crew is going into dinner.”

“Okay.” Ashley stood, then looked at Powder and her water polo player.

“I’ll hang out here for a while,” Powder said. “You two go ahead.”

Caz took Ashley’s hand and led her down the hall past the row of stuffed animal heads. “Where’s the rest of your clothes?”

“I thought you were going to be nice tonight.”