Chapter 26 Aspen
Aspen
The sun casts its glistening glow over the mountains, illuminating the peaks and the white snow.
The view doesn’t get any better than this here in Silver Lake.
But instead of the view, all I can think about is Genevieve working so close to me.
How does my boss expect me to teach this class when I know the girl of my dreams is here at the resort, just a few feet away?
How can I get any work done knowing that?
I don’t, if you’re wondering the answer to that.
I have barely taught my group anything and they’re probably going to want a refund after the end of this lesson.
I don’t blame them. They have all been on the bunny hill all morning when they’ve proven they’re ready to move on, and I’m starting to get antsy since I know my lunch break is coming up soon.
I honestly can’t believe Genevieve offered to cook. She saved the day. We would be losing customers left and right if it weren’t for her. I just didn’t know she knew how to cook. I would have never guessed.
Somehow, I make it through the next twenty minutes before slipping away from the group as fast as I can. Practically jogging to the bar, I come to an abrupt stop when I spot Genevieve serving a customer.
Her face is lit up, eyes animated as she speaks. I can’t hear her over the noise, but I don’t need to. Whatever she’s saying, I know it’s something worth hearing. She looks like a natural.
Her hair is pulled up in a loose ponytail. I’ve never seen her wear it like this before, and now, it’s the only way I want to see her. She looks too good. All I can think about is wrapping that ponytail around my fingers and giving it a tug.
Her black zip-up jacket is off, revealing a snug long-sleeve shirt. She must be warm from working near the stovetop. She’s also ditched her snow pants for black yoga leggings, with a half-apron tied around her waist, somehow making her look even more adorable.
Her cheeks are flushed, probably from the heat in the kitchen. When she finishes up with the customers she was serving, I take the opportunity to walk over to the bar. Sliding onto a high chair, I watch as she makes her way toward me.
“Hey you, how’s work going?” She asks, smiling.
“I should be asking you about that, working girl. Did I mention you’re a lifesaver?” I say.
"You did, but I don’t mind hearing it again," she teases. "Honestly, it’s been no problem at all. It’s actually been really fun."
That surprises me. I wouldn’t have guessed a job in a resort kitchen would be fun, especially for someone who’s probably never worked a day in her life. I don’t mean that in a rude way; it just seems like a fair observation.
I just wish this was every day that Genevieve working here, staying here, was permanent. The thought of her leaving again feels unbearable. Those four days without her were torture. I can’t do it again.
“What can I get for you?” She asks pulling me from my thoughts.
“Whatever’s easiest,” I say, not really caring as long as she stays right here.
“Well, I know this place is famous for its burgers, but I’ve been making everyone these philly cheesesteak egg rolls,” she says.
"I have no idea what that is, but I’ll take as many as you’ll give me," I reply without hesitation.
“Be back in a jiff,” she says with a grin before disappearing into the kitchen.
I watch her walk away, unable to help admiring the curve of her ass from where I’m sitting.
“Yo, lover boy, cut it out. Don’t distract my new chef, she’s working," Raul calls out.
"She wouldn’t even be your new chef if it weren’t for me," I shoot back.
Raul scoffs. "What do you mean? You were the one telling her to stay on vacation and ignore my offer. I got her here myself!"
“Whatever you say, boss,” I tell him.
“What are you having?” He asks.
“Sprite.” I answer. He grabs the spray nozzle and a cup and presses the green button as he fills up my glass. Sprite’s basically my version of cocaine these days—safe, legal, and still gives me a little kick.
“Thank you, by the way,” he says. “I honestly would have been stuck in mud if it weren’t for either of you. You know Derek might not have his job when he gets back.”
I laugh. “Yeah, she’s pretty awesome,” I tell him and I get stuck staring at Gen once again. She makes eye contact with me and smiles.
Raul waves his hand in front of my face. “Stop distracting her,” he says.
“I’m not distracting. She’s distracting. Maybe it wouldn’t be so good to have her continue working here. She’s too good looking,” I tell him.
“The contrary, they’re gonna wanna stare and stay longer, which means more money. And more money for me, means a happier boss for you,” he says.
Touche. Except now I’m getting jealous, because I don’t want anyone to be staring at Genevieve but myself.
She’s mine. Mine to keep, mine to touch and mine to look at.
Raul went to the other end of the bar to help new customers that just sat down and Genevieve comes back with my lunch ready. I stare at the plate full of food that looks like mini tan burritos. Except these aren’t that, they’re better because Gen made them.
“These look delicious,” I tell her right before I take a bite. It burns my mouth but once I taste how good it is, I power through. I can’t believe how good it tastes.
“These taste delicious,” I tell her. “What’s in them?”
“Well, I figured I wouldn’t be able to replicate the exact same burger Derek makes that people come here for and I figured everyone’s probably a little tired of burgers anyway, so I took the hamburger meat from the burgers and the cheese that goes on top, mixed with grilled onions and peppers then rolled them up in a rice wrapper.
I’m not sure what those rice wrappers were used for before, but I just found them in the back and went with it,” she says.
God I love hearing her ramble. She sounds so cute when she’s passionate about something.
The twinkle in her eyes just tells me she is having an awesome day.
I didn’t know cooking was such a passion of hers.
I might have to convince her to make this a regular thing, her cooking for me. She’s so talented.
“Well, you should drop out of school and become a chef,” I tell her. “You have such a talent.”
“Thanks, Aspen. That’s really sweet of you,” she says.
“Raul may not want Derek to come back if you’re going to be cooking this good,” I tell her.
If I’m being honest though, I’m the one who selfishly doesn’t really want Derek to come back, this way I could have Genevieve all to myself.
I could get used to her working here. But I know she has a life back in Nebraska.
“Actually I was going to talk to you. This can wait, but I’m too excited and my brain is all over the place,” she starts. I’m listening intently wondering what she’s about to hit me with.
“I know you only invited me here for a few days and neither of us were expecting that I would cook today, but I was thinking I could tell Raul I would be free to work for him the next few days while I’m in town.
Just until Derek gets back and things go back to normal.
I don’t know, but I feel like I found myself today.
I know it sounds silly, because it’s just a job at a resort restaurant.
But working is a lot of fun and it’s way better than what I’m doing at school.
Is that okay with you if I tell him? I know you wanted to snowboard with me more though, so I totally get it if you don’t want me to tell him,” she says.
Wow. Of all the things I thought would come out of her mouth, that was not one of them. “Of course you can tell him! Who am I to stop you? If you really want to snowboard we can always do it some other time,” I tell her, relieved that I get to spend extra time with her.
“So your feelings aren’t hurt?”
“Not at all.”
Although I’m touched that she cared enough about my feelings to first ask.
“Eee, thank you Aspen! I’m gonna go let Raul know!
” She says all excitedly and walks over to the end of the bar where Raul is making customers their drinks.
She tells him her thoughts and Raul’s face grows with excitement.
The two of them look so cute together like father and daughter.
I’m glad Raul can be that way for most people.
It’s just weird that he isn’t for his own son, but I try not to think about that much.
Although I do miss Gio and hope he can come visit sometime soon.
I hate to think that Gio is missing out on spending time with his dad while I’m getting all of his time.
Genevieve comes back over to where I’m sitting and since she left I already devoured three more of her philly cheesesteak egg rolls.
“He said I could work!” She says. She sounds like she just won the lottery. Not like she just got an average job at a resort bar. I’m happy for her though, I know this experience is new and special for her.
“That’s amazing! Looks like we will be coworkers for a couple days then,” I tell her and then give her a wink.
“That’s right, coworker! ” She says and gives my shoulder a light punch and then giggles my favorite sound.
“I gotta keep working, but I’ll keep coming to check on ya!” She says.
“Girl, take a break!” I tell her.
“I already did!” She says back with a smile.
Damn, I missed her break? I gotta coordinate with her the other few days she’s here so we can eat together. I want to spend every single second I can with her and have her attention all to myself.
I’m selfish like that.
Genevieve gets back to work and I clean the rest of my plate up. I can’t get over how scrumptious this food was. I’m not going to lie, Derek is a fantastic cook and I mean fantastic, but I was getting kind of sick of my everyday burger. This is a nice change.
I observe Gen as she works and am in awe. The apron tied around her waist makes her look so sexy. She wipes her dirty hands on it every so often and uses the back of her hands to move any stray pieces of hair out of her face. She looked flushed yet happy and I’m happy for her.
Who knew Genevieve would be the working type and be so good at it.
She continues to impress me. Although I shouldn’t be surprised, Genevieve seems like the type that could be good at anything she sets her mind to.
Genevieve is je ne sais quoi—a term typically used when you can't quite put your finger on what makes something special, but you know it has an irresistible charm. That’s exactly what Genevieve is.
She’s already become so special to me I don’t know how it happened so fast.
But I’m not going to question it, because the good things in life you don’t question, you just accept.