Stacey Stacey Wow, that ski run was awesome, babe.

Stacey Stacey I think I’m starting to get the hang of this!

Stacey’s boyfriend, Kent, winces.

Kent Kent Listen, I know we came here to ski together…

Kent Kent But I had no idea how inexperienced you were.

Stacey Stacey What?! I told you I was a beginner.

Kent Kent I know, but…

Kent Kent It’s just too much of a liability to take you on the slopes I want to ski.

Kent Kent Maybe it’s better if I spend a few hours skiing with Elizabeth…

Stacey Stacey Wait, without me??

Kent Kent I told you.

Kent Kent You won’t be able to keep up.

Stacey stares down at the snow.

Sunlight is glancing off it.

And it’s so bright it makes her eyes burn.

Stacey Stacey I can’t believe this is happening right now.

Stacey Stacey You’d rather ski harder slopes with some other girl…

Stacey Stacey Than keep me company?

Kent Kent Yeah, well, what do you expect?

Kent Kent Stacey, you’re barely getting by on the bunny slopes—

Kent Kent This just isn’t fun for me.

Stacey Stacey Okay, but I’m your girlfriend.

Stacey Stacey And I’m not really comfortable with you and Elizabeth—

Kent Kent Don’t start.

Kent Kent Elizabeth and I are just friends.

Stacey feels a tightness in her chest.

No girl in her right mind would want her boyfriend to spend time alone with Elizabeth.

She’s a beautiful blonde with full lips—

A dead ringer for Scarlett Johansson.

And she seems to have a thing for guys in relationships.

Stacey Stacey Oh my god, Kent! I’m not starting anything.

Stacey Stacey I just don’t want you to go.

Kent Kent Look, Elizabeth’s a really good skier.

Kent Kent She has no one to go with.

Stacey Stacey But if you leave…

Stacey Stacey I won’t have anyone to go with either.

Kent Kent Don’t try to guilt me into spending time with you.

Stacey Stacey I’m not trying to guilt you!

Stacey Stacey You’re my boyfriend.

Stacey Stacey You’re supposed to WANT to hang out with me.

Kent Kent Seriously?

Kent Kent That’s what I have to do to be your boyfriend?

Kent scowls and it slices through Stacey’s heart.

How can she be so attracted to someone who glares at her like that?

Kent Kent You know what?

Kent Kent I don’t have to do this.

Kent Kent I want out.

Stacey Stacey Of what?

Stacey Stacey Our relationship?

Kent Kent You figure it out.

And without another word, Kent speeds off.

Stacey looks around, batting her eyes furiously to keep her tears at bay.

She tries to breathe.

But it feels like there’s a ton of bricks on her chest.

She really doesn’t want to ski when she’s feeling like this.

But there’s no other way off this mountain.

And right now, she just wants to get back to her hotel room and sulk.

So she lowers her goggles, tightens her helmet, and pushes off with her poles.

Closing her eyes, she feels the wind blowing in her face.

She starts to gain speed.

And then she hears a voice coming from behind her…

Skier Skier Hey! You in the purple!

Skier Skier Watch out for that branch!

Stacey turns to see who’s shouting.

But as she does…

She heads straight for the giant tree branch sticking out of the snow!

Her left ski slides over the branch.

And her right ski gets caught underneath it.

Her momentum propels her forward.

It causes her ski to snap off—

And her body goes tumbling forward.

Splat!

Stacey lands, face down, with a mouthful of snow.

The next thing she knows, the guy who tried to warn her is standing over her.

Her ski is in his hand.

Skier Skier Are you okay?

Skier Skier That looked pretty bad.

Stacey gives a short laugh.

But it barely covers the sob in the back of her throat.

Stacey Stacey Well, I certainly bruised my ego…

Stacey Stacey But I think the rest of me is fine.

Skier Skier Hold on, let me help you up.

The guy extends his hand to Stacey.

But she’s too proud to accept his offer.

Stacey Stacey Oh, thanks, but I’m okay. Really—

She pushes her fists into the snow and hoists herself up.

But, as soon as she puts weight on her right foot…

A sharp pain shoots up her leg.

Stacey cries out, and falls back down.

Skier Skier Looks like you may have twisted your ankle.

Skier Skier I can track down ski patrol…

Stacey is horrified.

What if Kent sees her escorted down the mountain?

Or worse…Elizabeth?

Stacey Stacey No! Don’t!

The skier laughs, but the sound is playful.

Skier Skier Alright then.

Skier Skier How about you put your arm around me then?

Skier Skier I’ll help you down to the bottom.

Stacey looks at the guy.

His helmet, goggles, and neck warmer conceal his entire face.

Through his goggles, Stacey sees her own reflection.

Like him, she’s just another masked skier…

And the anonymity comforts her.

The skier holds up his hands in mock surrender.

Skier Skier No funny business. I promise.

Stacey sighs.

Stacey Stacey Okay.

Stacey Stacey I guess it’d be easier to just go down with you…

Stacey Stacey But you’re sure you don’t mind?

Stacey Stacey I wouldn’t want to hold you back…

Stacey Stacey Clearly, I’m a liability.

Skier Skier A liability?

Skier Skier You just tripped.

Skier Skier It could have happened to anyone.

Stacey gapes at the skier.

He doesn’t seem to notice.

Skier Skier Please. It’d be my pleasure to help.

Skier Skier It’s not often a guy gets to be both chivalrous and heroic!

Stacey smiles, but it’s half-hearted.

Stacey Stacey I guess I’m more used to the kind of guys who trip you up…

Stacey Stacey Not the ones who pick you up.

Stacey Stacey So…thank you.

Stacey Stacey For helping me.

As if he’s smiling, the skier’s cheeks seem to round.

But Stacey can’t be sure.

His face is obscured by his neck warmer.

Then, the skier bends down and wraps his arm around Stacey, lifting her up.

She struggles to balance on one foot.

He hugs her close to his side to steady her.

Once they’re stable, he tucks their poles and her right ski under his other arm.

Skier Skier Okay, keep your arm around me and make sure your weight stays off your foot.

Skier Skier I’ve got you!

Stacey Stacey You sure??

Skier Skier Yeah, it’s not very far.

Skier Skier We can see the bottom from here.

Skier Skier Just trust me!

Stacey Stacey Trust you?

Stacey Stacey I don’t even know you.

Again, the skier laughs playfully.

Even in her disarray, Stacey recognizes its sexy timbre.

Skier Skier Then I guess we should introduce ourselves.

Skier Skier I’m Charlie.

Stacey Stacey I’m Stacey.

Stacey Stacey I’d shake your hand, but…

Charlie Charlie Not necessary.

Charlie’s cheeks round again.

And Stacey can’t help but wonder…

Whether her hero is as handsome as he is kind.

Entwined in each other’s arms…

Stacey and Charlie slowly make their way down the slope.

And even through all their layers, his touch soothes her.

Soon enough, they get to a bench at the bottom of the mountain.

Charlie takes off his skis and helps her sit down.

He bends down to her feet and pops her remaining ski off.

Stacey Stacey Thanks again for rescuing me!

Then…Charlie takes off his goggles.

He pulls down his neck warmer.

And Stacey can finally see his face…

For the very first time.

His chiseled features and crystal blue eyes catch her off-guard.

She freezes.

Stacey Stacey I’m…I’m not sure what I would’ve done without you!

Still kneeling in front of her, Charlie grins up at her.

His eyes flicker.

He lifts her goggles onto her helmet.

Charlie Charlie You would’ve been fine…

Charlie Charlie I’m just glad I could make it easier for you.

Charlie Charlie Want some help getting over to the lodge?

Stacey Stacey I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I can—

Charlie Charlie I’m going over there anyway.

Charlie Charlie Come with me.

Stacey pauses.

She would like to get to know Charlie more.

Stacey Stacey Sure. Why not?

30 mins later

Stacey is sitting by the fire with her right leg propped up on an ottoman.

Charlie walks over with two cups in his hands.

Charlie Charlie Hot chocolate cures everything!

He hands her one of the cups and sits down beside her.

She holds the cup with both hands and takes a sip.

The liquid warms her insides, making her feel a bit stronger.

Charlie Charlie So, you’re here alone?

Stacey Stacey Not exactly.

Stacey Stacey I came with my boyfriend and his friends—

Stacey Stacey But, I guess now he’s my ex-boyfriend.

Stacey Stacey Apparently, my skiing wasn’t up to his standards.

Charlie scowls.

Charlie Charlie Your boyfriend dumped you because you couldn’t ski?

Stacey Stacey Yeah, he said I was holding him back.

Stacey Stacey And decided to ski with this other woman instead.

Stacey Stacey …A woman he knows makes me uncomfortable.

Charlie Charlie Wow. Well, he sounds like a real peach.

Charlie Charlie I know it’s none of my business, but…

Charlie Charlie Don’t you think you deserve better?

Stacey can’t find her voice.

It’s a question she’s never dared to ask herself.

Charlie Charlie I mean, leaving you alone on the mountain…

Charlie Charlie That’s kind of a jerk move.

She sighs and stares into her cup.

Stacey Stacey You’re right.

Stacey Stacey I just…feel so dumb.

Stacey Stacey To think that he actually cared about me.

Charlie Charlie Don’t beat yourself up.

He places his hand on her knee.

And her body trembles beneath his touch.

Charlie Charlie When you haven’t been with the right person…

Charlie Charlie It can be hard to tell when you’re being treated badly.

Stacey looks at Charlie curiously.

Who would’ve expected such depth from a stranger?

Stacey Stacey How’d you get to be so wise?

Charlie Charlie After I did some intense reflection on a series of disappointing relationships.

Charlie Charlie One girl even broke up with me because I got her the wrong kind of flowers.

Stacey Stacey What’d you get her?

Charlie Charlie White roses.

Charlie Charlie She accused me of not taking the relationship seriously.

Shrugging, Charlie laughs.

Charlie Charlie Apparently, white’s a sign of friendship—

Charlie Charlie And I just thought they looked pretty.

Stacey laughs along with him.

Charlie Charlie Trust me, you’re not the only one who’s struggled to find someone deserving.

Stacey Stacey Okay but — how do you know if someone IS deserving?

Charlie Charlie Let’s see.

Charlie Charlie You want someone who’s not too critical…

Charlie Charlie Someone who listens…

Charlie Charlie And goes out of their way to make life easier for you.

Stacey thinks back on her relationship with Kent.

He criticized everything about her, from her clothes to her skiing.

He never seemed to listen to her when she was upset.

She had become a different person in an attempt to keep him by her side.

And it never seemed like he cared.

But, with this guy — with Charlie…

She feels so comfortable being herself.

And she’s only known him for a few hours.

Stacey Stacey Have you…have you ever met anyone like that?

Stacey Stacey Anyone who might be deserving of your love?

Charlie looks right into Stacey’s eyes.

For a moment, she stops breathing.

Charlie Charlie I think I have.

Stacey gets lost in Charlie’s gaze for a few moments.

But then the door to the lodge slams open.

And Stacey sees Kent walk in.

He wanders around by himself, seemingly looking for someone.

She lifts her arm to wave at him…

But then she stops.

Charlie notices.

Charlie Charlie Is that—

Stacey lowers her arm.

Stacey Stacey It’s no one deserving.

The fire burns, the wood crackles.

Charlie looks deeply into her eyes.

He takes her hand in his.

Charlie Charlie Maybe one day, you’ll think I am…

And Stacey can’t help it.

She leans forward and steals a kiss.

Stacey Stacey I already do.