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 Iam.
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.
17
Genevieve
I wake up slowly, cocooned in the warmth of a big, ridiculously comfortable king-sized bed. For a fleeting second, I forget where I am. Then the quiet hits me—no rustling, no soft breathing beside me—and I know before I even open my eyes that he’s gone.
Again.
My hand instinctively reaches across the empty space, hoping maybe, just maybe, Aspen stayed. But all I find is cool sheets and a familiar ache. I blink up at the ceiling, willing the rising wave of emotion to stay down.
That’s when it hits me.
Today is checkout day.
My stomach drops.
A lump forms in my throat as I sit up, the sheet slipping down my bare shoulders. This is it. The last morning. The last time I’ll wake up in this cabin. The last time I’ll wake up from a night like that… with him.
