Chapter 9 （B） – Georgia
NINE (B)
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
GEORGIA
The flames in the lodge’s fireplace are dancing amidst a snowy winter night, and guests are laughing and drinking at the Hot Cocoa & S’more bar.
This evening is a perfect start to our resort’s official Christmas season.
Well, it’s almost perfect…
“What do you mean you don’t ‘think’ you’re coming into work this week, Rita?” I stare at the front desk manager, the woman who I thought loved this place as much as me.
“Exactly how it sounds,” she says. “I’m going to be sick.”
“How do you know that already?”
“I just do.” She coughs. “Something terribly contagious is going around.”
I roll my eyes. “Feel better soon when you actually get sick.”
“Thank you, Georgia!”
I walk behind the front desk and make the scheduling change. Then, I hear a familiar laugh that I would recognize anywhere.
I look up and see Dante staring right at me.
“Long time, no see, Georgia Grey.” His smile is as infuriating as ever. “How have you been?”
“Like you care.”
“Of course, I care.” He leans forward. “We have history.”
“It’s nothing worth remembering or writing about.”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” he says. “I was hoping you’d be miserable, homeless, and lonely whenever I saw you again, and that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask. “We don’t accept monopoly money.”
“I have a reservation here.”
“For dinner at one of the restaurants?”
“Funny.” He looks me up and down. “It’s for one of the best lodge suites, for a little over a week.”
Before I can say I refuse to believe that, he pulls a red velvet box from his pocket and flips it open.
“What do you think about this?” he asks.
A heart-shaped diamond glistens under the light, and the words “Dante and Vanessa forever” stare at me in cursive.
“Vanessa?” I ask. “What happened to Jessica?”
“I met someone better. Someone who truly appreciates everything that comes with dating a man like me.”
“In other words, you cheated on her, too?”
“You can’t cheat on someone who doesn’t want you. Besides, it takes a certain type of woman to believe in the lifestyle I want to build.”
“That’s a pretty fancy way of saying, you’re still unemployed.”
“I’m an entrepreneur.”
“Are you making any money?”
“That’s none of your fucking business.” He glares at me, and I glare right back.
“That is a beautiful ring, sir!” Grandma Hattie steps over to us. “Are you planning to propose during your stay with us?”
“I am.” He smiles.
“Well, we have plenty of romantic spots,” she says. “I’d love to help you find the perfect place.”
“I would love that, too.” He’s still looking at me. “I’ll take you up on that once I finish checking in with the lovely Miss Grey here.”
“She’s soon to be a Mrs.” She beams. “Show him the engagement gift Dante sent you this morning, Georgia.”
“No, um…” My cheeks burn. “I don’t like wearing it at work. Besides, I’m sure this man doesn’t care.”
“I’d love to see it,” Dante says.
“See.” She moves behind the counter and opens the drawer, pulling out a charm necklace. “Since they’ve been long distance, he treats her to a new charm every month. How sweet is that?”
“So very sweet.” Dante says. “Sounds like a story I’ve heard about on Pinterest before…”
“I know, right?” Grandma pats my back. “He’s a super sweet guy. He called last year and asked for my permission to marry her.”
“He did?” He raises an eyebrow. “So, how did the actual proposal go?”
“It didn’t.” She shakes her head. “He had a work emergency and couldn’t make it.”
“So, you still haven’t met this guy?” He’s practically salivating, and I’m seconds away from knocking him to the floor.
“Well, we hope to this year.” She looks at me. “Otherwise, I might start to believe he doesn’t exist.”
“Me too.” He smiles.
“I believe there’s been a mistake in your reservation, sir.” I can’t take him being in my presence anymore. “I don’t see it for this week’s dates. If you like, I can book you at the Four Seasons down the street.”
“I have the printout in my bag.” He’s still smiling. “Would you like me to take it out for you?”
“Let me see if I can find it, Georgia.” Grandma Hattie gently pushes me out of the way. “What’s your name, sir?”
“Dante Harris.”
“It was literally staring right at you, hun. See? His first name is even spelled like your fiancé’s.”
“Wait a minute.” Dante crosses his arms. “Your fiancé’s name is ‘Dante,’ too?”
“It’s a pretty popular name,” I say.
“It’s not that damn popular.”
“He’s a successful businessman from Park City, Utah.” Grandma throws me under the bus again. “I see you’re from there, so you might’ve crossed paths with him before.”
“I’m pretty sure I have.” Dante smirks. “What a random series of coincidences I’m seeing between the two of us.”
“Yeah, whatever,” I say. “Anyway—”
“It’s not often that I hear about a “Dante” from Park City, Utah, who also knows a woman named Georgia who is engaged,” he says. “ I’d love to grab a beer with him or get our pictures taken together.”
“We will totally arrange that.” Grandma Hattie chats with Dante like he’s a real friend and not a parasite, even offering to escort him to his suite.
When she finally finishes, I head to my office and shut the door.
Taking a few deep breaths, I tell myself that the past twenty minutes never happened and I will wake up from this nightmare in the morning.
It’s still a perfect Christmas, still a perfect Christmas…