Page 11 of Dating Goals
“So, how long are you planning to stick around here?” I ask. “Think you might head back to Calgary anytime soon?”
Dex’s face lights up in a way I’ve never seen before. “Actually, I’m pretty settled in Davos. Met someone special.” He pulls out his phone, showing me a photo of him with a stunning blonde. “This is Marta. She’s a physiotherapist for the team.”
“Wow, doctor girlfriend. Fancy.”
“Yeah, she’s incredible. Speaks five languages, loves hiking, and somehow puts up with my terrible attempts at Swiss German. We travel all over Europe during the offseason.”
“Living the dream, huh?”
“Can’t complain.” Dex tucks his phone away, but his smile remains. “Living here, playing hockey, being with her…it just feels right, you know? Can’t imagine going back to Canada anymore.”
I nod, but something in my chest tightens. “Really? You’d stay here permanently for a girl?”
“When you know, you know.” He shrugs. “What about you? Any Swiss misses catching your eye?”
My mind flashes to strawberry blonde hair and a brandished trout, but I shake it off.
“I mean, there are beautiful women here, but…” I trail off. “I can’t imagine staying in another country for someone unless we’re married. Even if…” I catch myself before finishing that thought.
“Even if what?” Dex’s eyebrows shoot up with interest.
“Even if…there might be someone worth getting to know better.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“It’s nothing. Just this crazy encounter at my rental.” I wave it off, but I can’t help smiling. “She tried to attack me with a fish.”
“A fish?” Dex bursts out laughing. “Only you, McGregor. Only you.”
“It wasn’t a real fish,” I amend.
“Does she live here? In Visp?”
“Actually, I’m not living in Visp. The team set me up with this sweet apartment downtown, but…” I lean back in my chair. “I found this perfect little cabin in Grächen. It’s like stepping into a postcard.”
“Grächen?” Dex furrows his brow. “That’s a bit of a drive, isn’t it?”
“Only thirty minutes to the arena. The commute’s worth it.” I pull out my phone to show him some photos. “Look at this view from my deck. Reminds me of growing up near Banff. Dad used to take us hiking there every summer.”
“Man, you and your mountain obsession.” Dex shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “Most guys would take the fancy apartment in the city.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not most guys.” I swipe through more photos. “The cabin belongs to this guy Walter, who’s traveling. It’s got this old stone fireplace, these massive windowsoverlooking the forest. Total silence. Just me and the mountains. Here’s the hiking trail that heads into the village.”
“And that’s where you met the fish lady?” Dex smirks.
I feel my cheeks heat up. “She was just using my bathroom.”
“Hold up.” Dex wipes tears from his eyes. “She…used your bathroom? A random woman walked into your cabin…to pee?”
“Well, technically it wasn’t random. She knows the cabin owner.” I wince. “Apparently she has permission to use the spare key for emergencies?”
“And her emergency was…?”
“Nature called during her morning hike, I guess? Look, she was listening to music and probably didn’t notice my stuff everywhere. Then she came bursting out of the bathroom singing Blondie at the top of her lungs.”
“Blondie?” Dex interrupts, shoulders shaking with laughter.
“One Way or Another.” I can’t help grinning. “Not her best performance.”
