Page 44 of To Her

Alex laughed and said, "No James to feed you daily there?"

I sighed and said, "No. You have no idea how much I relied on him feeding me."

The call ended shortly after, with promises to keep in touch and no hard feelings on either side. I tossed my phone onto the bed and flopped down beside it, a smile playing at my lips. That had gone so much better than I'd expected. No drama, no hurt feelings, just two adults agreeing on what they wanted—and didn't want—from each other.

Relief washed over me in waves. One complicated relationship simplified. One source of anxiety neutralized. One less thing to worry about.

I lay there for a moment, savouring the feeling. It was nice to have something in my life feel uncomplicated for once. Alex and I understood each other. We wanted the same things. We were honest about our expectations. Why couldn't all relationships be this straightforward?

My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since the night before. I needed food, and with four hours to kill before my shift, I had time to actually sit down and enjoy a meal rather than scarfing something down between duties.

I changed into jeans and a comfortable sweater, grabbed my wallet and phone, and headed out. The day was clear and cold, the sun bright in a cloudless sky. The snow sparkled like diamonds, and the air was so crisp it almost hurt to breathe. I filled my lungs anyway, enjoying the clean, sharp sensation.

Alpine Ridge had a small but decent selection of cafés and restaurants catering to the tourists. I chose a cozy café I'd been meaning to try, one that advertised "The Best Hot Chocolate in the Mountains" in its window. After the morning's housekeeping shift and the emotional relief of my conversation with Alex, I felt like I deserved a treat.

The café was warm and inviting, with wooden tables, soft lighting, and the rich aroma of coffee and chocolate in the air. I found a small table by the window and settled in, ordering a hot chocolate and a hearty sandwich when the server came by.

As I waited for my food, I people-watched through the window. Tourists in brightly coloured ski gear trudged by, some looking exhilarated from a day on the slopes, others looking exhausted. Locals moved with more purpose, familiar with the terrain and the cold, dressed practically rather than fashionably.

My hot chocolate arrived, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. I took a sip and nearly moaned aloud—it was rich and velvety, not too sweet, with a hint of something that might have been chilli or cardamom. The café's claim wasn't an exaggeration; it might indeed be the best hot chocolate in the mountains.

I was halfway through my drink when the door opened, bringing with it a blast of cold air and a familiar figure.

Con.

He spotted me immediately, his face lighting up with a smile that made my stomach do a little flip. He said something to the server, then made his way over to my table.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, gesturing to the empty chair across from me.

"Not at all," I replied, surprised by how genuinely pleased I was to see him. "I thought you'd be working."

"Day off," he explained, shrugging out of his jacket and hanging it on the back of his chair. "I was going to text you later,see if you wanted to grab dinner or something. How was the rest of your trip?"

"Good," I said, smiling at the memory. "Really good, actually. I needed that break more than I realized."

"You look... different," Con observed, studying my face. "Relaxed, maybe?"

I laughed, reminded of Jenny's similar comment. "That's what Jenny said too. Apparently, I'm normally a tense mess."

"I wouldn't say that," Con protested with a grin. "Just... guarded, sometimes."

There was that word again. Guarded. Was I really so transparent in my defences?

"Well, three days of skiing and drinking will loosen anyone up," I deflected, taking another sip of my hot chocolate.

Con ordered a coffee when the server returned with my sandwich, and we fell into easy conversation. He told me about his shifts while I was gone, about a particularly demanding guest who had complained about everything from the temperature of the room to the firmness of the pillows. I told him about the perfect conditions at Lakeview, about Louise and Nick's obvious infatuation with each other, about the band at the pub that played the same set list every night.

It was so easy, talking to Con. There was none of the tension or uncertainty I'd felt before leaving for Lakeview. Maybe it was the lingering effect of my mini-vacation, or maybe it was the relief of having sorted things out with Alex, but I felt lighter, more open.

"So," Con said, stirring his coffee with a thoughtful expression, "I met someone while you were gone."

My stomach dropped instantly, the warm contentment I'd been feeling suddenly replaced by a cold, hollow sensation. I forced my face to remain neutral, though I could feel my fingers tightening around my mug.

"Oh?" I managed, trying to sound casual. "That's... nice."

Con nodded, seemingly oblivious to my reaction. "Yeah, I arranged a date with one of the workers here. She's really nice and super pretty."

Each word felt like a tiny needle piercing my skin. I took a bite of my sandwich to buy time, but it tasted like cardboard in my suddenly dry mouth.

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