Page 47 of Being Julia

After we took off, Jake and I unbuckled our seat belts and sat on the couch. We weren’t there long before my dad stole him away from me. Uncle Denny walked over and sat down next to me.

“How are you, Julia?” he asked.

“I’m good, Uncle Denny. How are you?”

“No complaints. You and Jake remind me of your mom and dad. Except Jake isn’t a stubborn ass like your father.” He smiled.

I laughed as I put my hand on his arm. “No. He’s not.”

“I heard that, Denny.” My dad smiled as he walked over with Jake.

“It’s nothing you haven’t already heard, son.”

My dad sighed. “Come on. I want to show you something in the back, old man.”

We finally arrived in Aspen. My dad spared no expense renting the eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom chalet. We walked in, and the beauty of it overtook me. I heard my mom gasp when she walked through the door.

“Oh, Connor. This is amazing,” she said to him.

“I knew you’d love it, baby. It’s all for you.” He smiled.

“You wait until I get you into the bedroom tonight.” She growled.

Jake looked at me and laughed.

“Oh my God, Mom! There are people within hearing distance!”

My mom looked at me and winked. I gave her a half smile and then grabbed Jake’s hand.

“Come on, Jake. Let’s go find our room,” I said.

I knew it would only be a matter of seconds before my dad stopped us.

“Excuse me, Julia. Come back here right now,” he said.

“What is it, Daddy?” I innocently asked.

“You and Hailey will share a room, and Jake and Collin will share a room.”

I put on my pout face. “That’s not fair, Dad. Why do you and mom get to have all the fun?”

The expression on my dad’s face was priceless. I would have given anything to take a picture of it.

“Julia Rose!” he exclaimed.

“Let them share a room, Connor. It’s not like they aren’t doing it,” Denny said as he walked by and winked at me.

“Absolutely, not!”

“Sorry, Julia, I tried. The old man probably won’t let you share a room even if you were married.

“Denny!” my dad exclaimed.

“Calm down, Connor. Go have a scotch.”

Jake and I started laughing. I kissed my dad on the cheek and told him I was kidding and that I knew we weren’t sharing a room. I made him feel better by telling him that the thought never entered my mind because I was looking forward to some girl time with Hailey. He bought my story. The reality was that Collin, Hailey, Jake, and I had already worked out our sleeping arrangements. After we got settled, Jake asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. When we stepped outside the door, the lightly falling snow had created a fresh blanket on the ground. It was the perfect night for a walk with the love of my life.

“I’m glad I’m here with you,” Jake said as he tightened his grip around me.

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