Aspen smirks. "Just take a bite. That’ll answer your question."
He’s so confident that I will like this that I really hope I do. I do not want to go home and dig those horrible burgers out of the trash.
I grab the slice of pizza ignoring the burn that creeps up my fingertips and take a careful bite, trying my best not to look like a complete mess. I toss the bite of pizza around in my mouth to let it cool down, but the cheese is still singeing my tongue. I try to bear through it and swallow. As the bite slides down my throat, I'm hitwith a wave of flavor that lingers, rich and satisfying—far more than I expected.
“Oh my God this is amazing,” I say honestly impressed.
“Told ya,” Aspen says all cool like the kind of cool guy he is.
“You weren’t joking! Now you’re going to have to take me to Idaho Springs sometime so we can have that other pizza you mentioned earlier,” I tell him.
“I’d love that,” he says with a soft smile. And I’m not sure if he noticed, but I think we just made future plans that both of us know we can’t keep.
Great, now I’m already sad about this ending and I just got here.
With that, I devour the rest of my slice like if I were in a fast eating competition. This pizza is so good! And I’m from New York, the home of pizza. But this beats almost anything I’ve tried.
“I’ll have to take you to New York sometime. We’re kind of known for our pizza,” I tell him. There I go making more plans.
"So I’ve heard. I’ve never been. I’ve also never had any desire to go, but if you’re taking me, I’d love to go," he says, his words effortless, like he always knows exactly what to say and how to say it.
Aspen has a way with words that never fails to catch me off guard. I grab a second slice of pizza, this one cool enough to actually eat now without burning my mouth. I take a bite, savoring it, letting the flavors linger as I focus on the simple joy of the moment.
Aspen's already on his fifth or sixth slice—honestly, I’ve lost count. I’m not really paying attention to the food anymore, though. All I can do is enjoy being in his presence again. The world around us seems to fade into the background and my focus narrows to just him—his movements, his smile, the way his laughter fills the space between us.
He makes every moment we spend together feel so special.
He pays the bill like the gentleman he is and we get up and exit the restaurant, leaving no scraps behind.
24
Aspen
I’m full, content and with my favorite girl by my side. Honestly, nothing could be better than this.
I take Gen by the hand and show her around the small downtown area here in Silver Lake. It’s quaint and charming, the kind of place that feels like home. I love walking around here at night, the streets bathed in soft light, the air crisp and calming. It’s a cute, safe little neighborhood and I feel a sense of pride sharing it with her. Every corner holds a memory.
I’ve walked these streets a hundred times, but it feels different tonight—with her hand in mine. I remember being younger and coming down here with my mom and Everest to grab some ice cream after one of his hockey games. At the time, I didn’t think much, we were just living life in our little town. Now that I’m here with a tourist, I see our town for what it’s worth: charm.
I just want everything to be perfect for Gen while she’s here. I just sadly have to work which is a huge letdown, but I’m gonna have to break that news to her now whether I want to or not.
Genevieve pauses in front of a store. The lights are off but the outfit on the mannequin remains illuminated under a soft glow.
“It’s beautiful,” Genevieve says as she stares at the thick fur coat dressed over the mannequin’s arms.
“It would look fantastic on you,” I tell her.
She smiles, then escapes her daze. We continue our walk towards the car.
“Thanks for dinner,” Genevieve says.
“Thanks for coming,” I tell her and she blushes. “Look, I have to be honest with you. Since Derek left to go home and take care of his dad, I couldn’t get the days off from work so I’ll have to work while you’re here. But you can come with me and you can be a part of my class, if not I totally understand. I should have said something, but I didn’t find out until this morning,” I tell her.She deserves a vacation, not a fling on a schedule.
“Aspen, don’t stress. I’m here foryou,so I’ll take you anyway I can. I was hoping to go snowboarding anyways,” she says all giddy. I could kiss her. She’s so perfect.
“Alright then, great. I get up around six thirty for work so we can get ready and hit the slopes,” I tell her.
“Sounds good to me, coach,” she says and that makes me smile.
