When we reach the top, the sky is beginning its golden descent. Hues of amber and lavender bleed into each other, like watercolor on canvas. It’s the kind of sight that never gets old no matter how many times I’ve seen it.
“Wow,” she breathes staring out at the horizon. “I’ve never seen a sunset from up in the mountains like this. It’s… breathtaking.”
I could watch her watch the sunset forever, but she hasn’t seen the best part yet.
“Now turn around,” I say, a grin playing at my lips. “Look to your left.”
She spins around and gasps. “Oh my gosh, Aspen! That is the cutest little fort ever!” Her eyes are wide. “How did you know that was here?”
“I built it,” I admit. “With Derek, years ago.”
“You guys built that?” She laughs. “That’s so cool. I’m genuinely impressed.”
“Thanks. It’s one of my favorite places in town and I wanted to share it with you.”
Her smile softens, “I’m honored.”
We settle down by the fort and I pull off my backpack, handing her a salad and a fork. She grins and steals a fry out of the bag.
We sit on the wooden log Derek and I hauled up here ourselves, eating in companionable silence. Every so often we exchangeglances, little smirks passing between us like unspoken inside jokes. When the sun starts its slow descent, I nudge her.
“This is so nice Aspen, thanks for bringing me here,” she says. She takes out her phone to take a quick photo of the pastel colored sky and puts it back away.
“You know, I do have impeccable taste when it comes to sunset spots. Just wait until you see what else I have up my sleeve,” I tell her, “But hold that thought, the movie’s about to start.”
She turns back toward the sky and we watch in awe as the world transforms. The clouds catch the fading light turning soft pink, tangerine, and shades of gold. She points at the sky, totally enraptured.
“Oh my goodness, look!” She says pointing at the sky.
Genevieve is definitely a “look at the sky” kind of girl. And somehow, that simple fact makes me feel like I’m falling even deeper for her.
I’ve been to this lookout a thousand times, but this is the first time it’s ever felt like this. Like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be… with her.
Now's my time to say something.
To let her know how I really feel.
“Snowflake,” I start.
She looks over at me, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
“Yeah?” She asks.
“I think I’m falling for you,” I get out.
She smiles. “Yeah? Cause I think I’m falling for you too Aspen.”
And just like that my world stops spinning, because it’s just me and her.
Her and me.
I grab her hand and sit in peace as we watch the sun go down.
***
Eventually, the sun dips below the mountains and shadows stretch long over the trail.
“Time to head back before it gets dark,” I say, standing and offering her my hand, “Careful where you step Snowflake, I can’t have you rolling an ankle now that you work at the resort.”
