“Maybe a little, we’ll see what happens,” I tell him.
“Whatever you say blondie. You can come help me work in the rental shop whenever you get tired,” he says.
“Thanks, but I literally rather do anything else,” I tell him. It’s true. Everest is funny, but can be annoying sometimes.
“Suit yourself. See ya around!” He says, then walks away just as Aspen is walking back towards me. I see Everest playfully punch Aspen’s arm and then he continues to walk in my direction.
“Everest giving you trouble?” He asks.
“Nah, just his usual banter about how he thinks I’m in love with him,” I tell him. “Like that could ever happen.”
Aspen nervously chuckles. “Yeah, right…”
“So you’re all clocked in. What now?” I ask him, trying to change the subject. I know Aspen doesn’t hate his brother, but I think he’s still pretty weirded out that we kissed before. Not that I blame him.
“Now we will get you a board in the rental room and then I’m gonna go tell my boss his cooking sucks,” he says.
That makes me laugh, but also, thank goodness. We head into the rental room and he keeps grabbing boards to measure against my height until he’s found the perfect match. We leave the rental room and Aspen carries both my board and his under his arms.
We go outside and enter a different building where the bar is located. He props the boards up at the entrance of the bar and walks in. I take a seat at the bar while Aspen strides onto the bar part where the kitchen is at. I see him talking to his boss, he must have told him how the food wasn’t good because I hear his boss say, “What do you want me to do Aspen? I don’t have anyone to take Derek’s place. I’m the best it’s gonna get.”
I continue to eavesdrop. “I know, but maybe you should ask Becky if you can work front desk while she cooks,” Aspen suggests.
“I can’t start switching my employees around Aspen, they don’t get paid to do each other's work,” his boss replies.
Before I can stop myself I chime into their conversation. “I could cook…” I say. Both guys stick their heads out from the kitchen looking at me sitting at the bar.
“And who are you?” His boss says.
“I’m Genevieve, Aspen’s friend,” I say.
He smiles. “Ohyou’reGenevieve,” he says like I’m famous around here. “I thought you said she left,” he says directed to Aspen. I’m now wondering how much Aspen has talked about me to everyone if he even told his boss. I can’t imagine him being so close with his boss that he would tell him something like that, but what do I know?
“She did, but she came back,” he says with his face all red.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop or intrude, but I’m a pretty good cook. I enjoy cooking and I have nothing going on. I was going to snowboard today, but that can wait if you guys need help,” I tell them both. I can’t believe I’m saying this. “I’m not gonna lie, I tried a bite of the burger and you’ll lose customers if you cook again.”
I can’t believe I just said that to his boss’s face. Hopefully, he doesn’t take it the wrong way, it wasn’t meant to be disrespectful. I was just being honest.
Besides, I really do enjoy cooking. Growing up my parents were rarely around, so most nights, it was just me and my brothers at the dinner table. We could’ve had the maid cook for us, but we hardly ever wanted that. Instead, cooking became our way of spending time together, a way to bond. We learned how to make all sorts of meals, experimenting in the kitchen, pushing each other to get better. We even had a few cook-offs over the years.
I remember one night, my Adam made mini apple pies and accidentally put salt instead of sugar. Cole and I made fun of him for weeks, but I secretly loved that night. It was one of the last times we baked together before they moved out.
"She’s right, boss. But Genevieve, you don’t have to do that, you’re on vacation," Aspen says.
"You’re hired!" Aspen’s boss declares. "No sense in losing customers."
I grin ignoring Aspen’s protest and shake his boss’s hand.
"Raul Ramirez. Pleasure to meet you," he says. "You must be good if you’re a friend of Aspen’s, so I trust you. Can’t be worse than my cooking, so the kitchen’s yours."
"Cool! Thanks…" I say, unsure what to call him.
"Please, call me Raul," he says with a smile. "I can pay you in cash once your shift is over."
"Don’t bother, just add whatever I make to Aspen’s paycheck," I say, excitement bubbling in my chest.
Raul grins. "Sounds good to me! Looks like you came in clutch today, Aspen. Thanks, man!" He claps Aspen on the back before turning to me. "And thank you, Genevieve. I’ll be back in fifteen to help you bartend for the day."
