Page 67 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
“Hey,” he says, lifting my chin until I’m forced to meet his eyes. “You’re none of those things. Let’s just enjoy this and not overthink it. Do you think you can do that?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit. “Have you told your parents about me?” I shudder to think what their reaction would be.
He gives me a wry look. “No, but only because my philosophy with them is never complain, never explain.”
“Where have I heard that saying?”
“It’s the public relations strategy of the royal family.”
“And the Winthrop family too?”
He shifts, uneasy. “Sometimes, yes.”
I’m not sure what to make of his words, what to make ofus. Our time together here has been magical, exactly the break I needed, even if it couldn’t last. I’m going to miss waking up to the view of the Indian Ocean and a sleepy Hart beside me.
Chapter Seventeen
Make a Bold Move
Aspen, Colorado
Saying goodbye to Hart at the international terminal was more difficult than I anticipated. He flew off for New York, and I departed for Nairobi. I spent the next month making fantastic headway on our work to drill a new well near the site of the school, selecting a curriculum, and interviewing for headmasters. I spoke to him often through text, email, and video calls when our schedules allowed and our time zones synced.
Now I’m in another airport. The tiny, almost kitschy terminal in Aspen, Colorado, where he begged me to come skiing with him and his friends. We wanted to make plans as soon as possible after I’d arrived back stateside; I just didn’t expect it would be this.
“Do you ski?” he asked.
“I do ski.”
They’ve had an early snowfall this year and already several storms big enough to bring the base to a respectable sixty inches. So off I went on another flight. My undereye concealer is really working overtime these days.
Once the shuttle arrives, I secure my skis and poles in the back and lug my carry-on inside. It’s toasty on board, the heat cranked.The picturesque town of Aspen looks like something out of a postcard. Twinkling lights and adorable shops, huge snow drifts along the street. Since the airport is fifteen minutes outside town and the sun has already sunk behind the mountain by the time I arrive, I don’t actually get to see too much of it.
I half expected Hart to tell me that his family owned a property here, too, but instead we’re staying at a hotel. A four-bedroom suite at a five-star ski-in/ski-out luxury hotel in the heart of Aspen. The ski concierge takes my equipment, and the bellhop helps me to the suite. It’s the size of an apartment, decorated in a palette of cream, blue, and chocolate. There’s a cozy living room with a stone fireplace.
I drop my bags and meet everyone at Element 47 for dinner.
When Hart spots me, he rises to his feet immediately. He asked me to text him when I landed. But I’m mature enough to get myself from the airport to the hotel, so I didn’t bother. He crosses the room in three easy strides, and then he’s pulling me close.
“You didn’t text me.”
“Surprise.” I grin.
His mouth lowers to mine, and he kisses me—deeply—right there in the center of the restaurant.
My knees tremble, and I wrap my arms around his trim waist.
“Hi,” I say when he pulls back.
“Hi.” His expression holds a glimmer of amusement. “Why didn’t you text me? I would have picked you up.”
I’m distracted by his mouth. “What was that?”
He laughs. “Come on.”
He takes my hand and guides me to their table in the back. All the faces I remember—Whit, Hayes, and Vaughn are seated around a table.
“Alessia!” Vaughn says, jumping to her feet to give me a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m usually outnumbered at these things.” She’s dressed in a form-fitting black turtleneck and baggy purple cargo pants.
