Chapter 30
Aspen
It’s another day in paradise, at least that’s what it feels like when I wake up next to Genevieve again.
We’re both in bed, tangled up in the sheets, and completely and unapologetically naked.
Her leg’s slung over mine, her arm across my chest like she owns the place, and maybe she does.
She looks unreal in this light, like I dreamt her up and forgot to wake up.
The dim morning light slipping through the blinds makes her skin glow like she’s some kind of dream I’m afraid to wake up from.
As gently as I can, I lift her arm off of me and slide out from under her.
She stirs, but doesn’t wake fully, just shifts and burrows deeper into the pillow.
I smile to myself and head to the bathroom to do my morning routine; brush my teeth, fix my hair, splash cold water on my face to chase away the lingering sleep.
When I come out she’s awake now sitting up, messy hair and all, scrolling on her phone with that groggy morning pout that somehow still makes her look perfect.
“Morning,” she says, her voice soft and warm.
“Good morning to you, Snowflake” I reply, leaning down to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. I want to linger, but time’s ticking. “We should leave in the next twenty minutes. Is that enough time for you to get ready?”
She nods silently and heads into the bathroom.
While she’s getting ready, I throw on my layers; thermal, hoodie, jacket; and pop a strawberry Pop-Tart into the toaster.
It’s not much, but it’ll do the job. I figure Genevieve will eat when she gets to work.
I kind of love that we can say things like when she gets to work now.
Like we’re just two people living our lives side by side.
It feels weirdly domestic, and really good.
Fifteen minutes later; we’re dressed, fed, and ready to roll. It’s only our second official day of this shared schedule, but it already feels like a rhythm we’ve fallen into. Natural, easy, like we’ve been doing it for years.
I follow her out the door, locking it behind me, and lead her to the car which I’d had the foresight to start a few minutes ago. The warm air inside hits us like a hug, and Genevieve gives me a quick look of appreciation before we pull out of the driveway.
The drive to work is filled with the sound of Tame Impala playing through the speakers. When One More Hour comes on, something in the lyrics hits differently today.
“Whatever I’ve done
I did it for love
I did it for fun”
I glance over at her while she stares out the window, humming softly to the music.
My chest tightens a little. Life before her feels like it belonged to someone else.
Someone numb, just going through the motions of work, snowboard, sleep, repeat.
When things got too heavy, I leaned on things I shouldn’t have; coke, isolation, distractions that dulled everything.
But now... now I feel things. I go out. I laugh. I make plans. I look forward to things. I look forward to her. Genevieve didn’t just walk into my life, she flipped the lights on. Everything feels sharper now; brighter, real.
Sometimes I wonder if she realizes it. What she’s done for me. How much lighter everything feels with her around.
We pull up to the resort and I walk her in, leading her to the kitchen area just to make sure she remembers the way. She does, of course, but I like the excuse to be near her for a few more seconds.
“You good?” I ask.
“I’m good,” She says smiling.
I steal one last kiss, just a quick one on the lips and then head off toward my station, throwing one final glance over my shoulder.
“See you at lunch!” I say. She’s already tying an apron around her waist. That apron should be illegal.
“See you!”
My first lesson is supposed to be intermediate, which usually means I’ll spend the first ten minutes realizing I need to reteach the basics.
Today’s no different, two girls in the group are clearly trying to impress someone; me, maybe?
They keep laughing a little too hard at my jokes and crashing every five minutes like it’s a sport.
Cute, but not my type. I’ve only got eyes for one girl.
And she’s currently in the kitchen making burgers and looking like the hottest chef on the planet.
I wrap up my class and start making my way back to her when Becky intercepts me.
“Hey, Aspen,” she says, “your second class got canceled. Private group, the whole family missed their flight.”
That’s a first. But I’m not complaining.
“Thanks for letting me know, Becks.”
“No problemo.” She starts to walk away, but an idea pops into my head and I call her back.
“Wait. Hey, do you know if employees can use the spa?”
“You mean you’ve never taken advantage?” She laughs. “I go at least once a week. It’s totally free. You only have to tip.”
Bingo.
“You think you could schedule me and a guest for a full package in thirty minutes?”
“You got it!” She says with a wink.
“Thank you!” I call after her. I’m already half-jogging to the bar like a man on a mission. No idea if this’ll work but if I can pull it off, it’s gonna be worth it.
When I walk in, I spot Raul and Genevieve behind the counter. Raul’s got a rag thrown over his shoulder and Genevieve’s wiping down the bar, the two of them in what looks like mid-banter. It’s a weirdly warm image. I think Raul likes her, not that he’d tell me.
“Hey,” I say to both of them.
“Hey, Aspen,” Genevieve says with that sparkle in her eyes.
“Hey,” Raul says, completely void of sparkle.
No harm in asking, right? Worst he can say is no, and even then, I’ll find another way.
“I’ve got a question, boss.”
“Shoot.”
“My second class got canceled. Can I have the rest of the day off? And can you, maybe, possibly, pretty please, also let Genevieve off early?”
He stares at me like I’ve grown a second head, then he exhales slowly and says, “Sure.”
I blink. “Wait—really?”
He nods. “Yeah. You guys have already done more than I ask, go have fun.”
He pauses, “but not too much fun.”
“Thanks, boss!” I say grinning.
Genevieve looks over at him. “You sure you’ll be okay?”
Raul waves her off with his rag like we’re flies in his kitchen, “I’m sure. Now go before I change my mind.”
I don’t need to be told twice. I reach for Genevieve’s hand and we slip out of the bar like kids ditching class. Only this time, we’re heading for a surprise I can’t wait to see her reaction for.