Chapter 16 Aspen
Aspen
It’s nearly eight in the morning when I wake up, the early sunlight casting soft lines across the floor of the cabin. Shit. I really need to get to work.
I don’t even remember falling asleep. Everything about last night is a warm blur—like the perfect downhill ride where you’re not thinking, just feeling.
Genevieve’s laugh. The way she looked at me like I was the only guy on the mountain.
Her hand is in mine under the covers. I stretch and shift slightly, careful not to wake her.
She’s lying next to me, sound asleep, her hair spilling over the pillow in every direction.
Her cheek is squished against the blanket and there’s a slight pout to her lips, like she’s still dreaming.
I can’t help but stare. She looks like something out of a snow-globe dream.
Soft, still, perfect. Like the kind of snowfall you pray for all season and can’t believe you actually get.
How did this happen? How did she get under my skin so quickly? Every time I’m with her, I feel like the best version of myself. Like I could give up everything, quit everything just to hold on to this feeling.
Reality’s already creeping in and I know I’ve got to go.
The resort is counting on me. I can’t just bail, but it physically hurts to pull away from her right now.
I want to spend the whole damn day here, making breakfast, talking about everything and nothing, memorizing the way she tucks her knees up when she sleeps.
I find my clothes from last night wrinkled in a heap on the floor, and slip them back on. Before I leave, I lean over and press the softest kiss to her temple. She doesn’t stir, just sighs in her sleep and rolls over slightly.
God, she’s beautiful.
I spot a sticky note pad and pen on the nightstand and scribble down a quick message—my handwriting looks like hell, but I don’t care.
My nerves are buzzing like I’m about to drop into a black diamond I haven’t scoped out yet, but I’m doing it.
I’m telling her tonight. I’m going to get dressed up, pick her up, and take her somewhere nice. She deserves everything.
She deserves someone who doesn’t just want her for a weekend. I’m not saying that I do, I just can’t promise her any more than that.
A weekend.
Because we weren’t fortunate enough to live near to build a life together.
But we were lucky enough to have our stars align for the time they did.
And that’s what I call fate.
I place the note gently on the pillow beside her and take one last look, memorizing the curve of her shoulder under the blankets. Then I step out quietly, trying not to wake the others.
Derek’s passed out on the couch, one leg hanging off, and Lana’s curled up at the other end like a cat.
These two are too funny. I’m so happy they were able to get along for the sake of giving Genevieve and I, our alone time.
I nudge him awake and mouth “time to go.” He groans like the hungover mess he is, but props to him—he still gets up.
As we head out into the cold morning, I pull my jacket tighter around me and glance back at the cabin one last time.
Why does it feel like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind? Probably because I am.
Tonight. Tonight I’ll tell her. I don’t care if she laughs in my face or says she’s not ready—I can’t let her leave without knowing how I feel. I can’t keep pretending I’m okay with this just being a fling when every part of me is screaming that it’s more.
I just have to hope Genevieve sees my letter and agrees to meet me tonight.
I plan on coming to the cabin and surprising her by dressing up nice and taking her out to dinner.
I just got paid and I don’t mind skipping out on a coke refill…
if it means more time with Genevieve. She’s the real high I’ve been chasing.
If I’m going to start becoming the man she deserves, then I’ve got to start now.
This is more than a crush. More than a moment.
It’s something real.
And I’m not letting it slip through my fingers.
If I’m going to quit for her, I need to start now.
No more stalling. No more carving in circles.
It’s time to ride straight into whatever this is.
She’s worth it.