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I could already imagine what it would be like to come home every night to her, kissing her face, laughing, watching movies curled up on the couch, and eating dinner that we could take turns making. I could imagine taking her home to my family and having them absolutely love her, a feeling of pride running through me that I got to have her as my partner. I could imagine what it would be like to get together with Hailey and whatever man she was dating at the time, and have Christmases and New Year’s together. At the same time, though, there was only really one place that I would miss not visiting, and that was Aspen. It had always felt like home to me. The light fluffy snow, the long slopes, and the people that just loved to ski, they were what made me love the place. I do have to admit that my love for it used to also include the women, but ever since I met Bea, I seemed to have lost all interest in anyone else.
I reached down and brushed the hair gently from Bea’s face, leaning forward and kissing her gently on the cheek. I knew that she would be leaving that day, and although I didn’t want her to, she would appreciate not waking up moments before she had to check out. Bea began to stir, reaching up and feeling the place my lips had just brushed against. She smiled and slowly opened her eyes, yawning and stretching her arms over her head.
“Good morning.” I smiled. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby,” she said, smiling. “You?”
“Probably better than any sleep I have ever gotten,” I said. “But unfortunately, it’s time to get up and get moving. We both have to be on our way soon.”
“No,” she groaned, turning over and burying her face in my lap.
“Well, I’m sure there is time for that.” I laughed.
“Nice try,” she said, sitting up and punching me in the arm. “What time is it?”
“It’s about eight,” I replied.
“Oh, gosh,” she said, throwing the covers from her and jumping out of the bed. “I have to check out in an hour. I wonder if Hailey is back yet.”
She threw on her robe and walked out of the room. I could hear her walking through the whole suite and then getting on her phone. It was obvious that Hailey wasn’t back yet.
“Wake up,” she said. “We only have two hours to get out of here.”
She walked back in the room, shaking her head and chuckling. I watched as she pulled a brush out and brushed her hair back into a ponytail, having no time to shower. She pulled some clothes out of the drawers and got dressed, smiling with blushed cheeks as I watched. When she was done, she collected my clothes and set them on the bed.
“You might want to get dressed,” she said, smiling. “Hailey will be here in just a minute.”
I smirked and climbed out of bed, standing fully nude by the bed. She blushed and looked away, pulling her suitcase out and starting to load her clothes into it. I pulled on my boxers and tux pants and buttoned my tux shirt far enough to walk to the elevator and down one floor to my room. I needed to start packing, too, so I could meet Glen at the airport in an hour or so. First, though, I needed to talk to Bea about the future, and if it held anything for the two of us.
“Bea,” I said, watching her walk out of the bathroom. “Come sit down for a second.”
She stopped and looked at me, already knowing what was coming. She put the last of her things in her suitcase and walked over, sitting down next to me on the bed. She turned toward me and smiled, allowing me to take her hands in mine. I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. Howeve
r, before the words could leave my mouth, she cut me off.
“You don’t have to do this,” she said, smiling.
“I don’t have to do what?”
I was slightly confused, not knowing exactly what she was expecting me to say. She smiled and let go of my hands, standing and walking over to her suitcase. She zipped it shut and pulled it down on the floor. She turned back to me and leaned against the dresser.
“You don’t have to tell me that you aren’t looking for a relationship,” she said.
“Well, I was going to—”
“Seriously, Cameron, it is okay.” She chuckled. “This was really amazing, the whole thing. I loved spending time with you, learning how to ski, learning about you, and having a crazy time. I really didn’t expect this out of my trip at all, but I am so glad that you found me. However, I know that your career takes you all over the country, and I know that I can’t expect you to magically want to settle down because you had a few good weeks with me.”
“That is what I thought,” I said, lowering my head. “But my heart, it is—”
“It is fighting you, I know.” She laughed. “Mine is, too, but I want us to keep this, this last night, and these last few weeks in our minds. I want this to be what we think about when we cross each other’s minds. Next year, I will come back here, and I will find you. Then, if we are both in this place, we can enjoy another couple of weeks in each other’s arms. Until then, we need to keep living our lives.”
“I understand,” I said, not sure what to say to that, but getting up and walking over to her. “I had an amazing time. So, until next year, take care of yourself.”
“Of course,” she said quietly as I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
I grabbed my jacket from the table and walked out, not looking at her again. As I opened the door, Hailey walked in, smiling at me. I smiled back and left, turning the corner and walking down the corridor to the elevator. I paused for a moment, thinking about going back to Bea, but I sighed and continued, making my way to my room and packing my things quickly. I called a car to pick me up out front and looked one last time around the room. Part of me was really sad that I had to leave Aspen, and the other couldn’t figure out my mixed emotions over leaving Bea. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was for the best.
I took the car to the airport and walked through security, checking my tickets. We were on our way to Upstate New York to work there for a couple of months. I never really enjoyed my time there. The air was thin, and everything was always overcast and dirty. I shrugged my shoulders, figuring it was just another stop on the way. As I approached the terminal, I saw Glen across the hall, looking down at his ticket and holding tightly to his luggage. He never checked his bags after losing them on his way to Alaska and having to buy all new gear. It was almost an obsession for him.
