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"I'm going out tonight with her," he continued. "Her name's Hilary."

I knew exactly who he was talking about. Hilary was a blonde, tall woman with blue eyes and legs for days. She worked at the front desk and was, indeed, super nice. Nicer than me, certainly. Everyone liked Hilary.

"That's great," I said, the words feeling mechanical. "She seems... lovely."

"She is," Con agreed, his eyes lighting up in a way that made my chest ache. "We've been talking a lot during shifts, and I finally got the courage to ask her out."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The jealousy that surged through me was as unexpected as it was powerful. I had no right to feel this way. Con was my friend. I'd been actively avoiding any deeper connection with him. I'd just clarified things with Alex. I was supposed to be feeling relieved, uncomplicated.

Instead, I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me.

"You okay?" Con asked, finally noticing my discomfort. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just tired. Long day."

He nodded, accepting my explanation. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know. Since we're friends and all."

Friends. Right. That's what we were. Friends who skied together, ate together, talked for hours. Friends who made eachother laugh, who understood each other's moods, who had inside jokes and shared secrets.

Just friends.

"Of course," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I hope you have a great time."

Con smiled, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes—uncertainty, maybe, or disappointment. But it was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

"Thanks," he said. "So, what are your plans for your free hours before your shift?"

I was grateful for the change of subject, for the chance to talk about something—anything—other than Con's date with perfect Hilary.

"Nothing exciting," I replied, trying to recapture the easy tone of our earlier conversation. "Probably just relax, maybe take a nap before the chaos of the bar shift."

We finished our drinks, the conversation flowing less easily now, at least on my part. Con paid for both our orders despite my protests, saying it was his treat.

As we stepped outside into the cold afternoon air, Con turned to me. "I should let you get some rest before your shift. But I'm glad I ran into you."

"Me too," I said, and despite everything, I meant it.

We parted ways at the corner, Con heading toward the centre of town, me back toward the hotel. As I walked, I tried to make sense of the emotions churning inside me. Why did I care so much that Con was going on a date? Wasn't this what I wanted—for things to stay uncomplicated between us?

But the hollow feeling in my chest told a different story. A story I wasn't ready to read.

Back in my room, I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. The relief I'd felt after my conversation with Alex hadevaporated, replaced by a confusing mix of jealousy, regret, and self-recrimination.

I closed my eyes, trying to quiet my racing thoughts. I needed to get it together before my shift. I couldn't spend the night serving drinks while dwelling on Con and Hilary and what they might be doing on their date.

But as I drifted into an uneasy nap, one thought kept circling in my mind: maybe I wasn't as ready for uncomplicated as I thought I was.

Chapter 19

Geri

The bar shift started like it always did—the owner's son poured us all a round of shots to lighten the mood, and off we went, pouring drinks and handing out orders, picking up glasses and running them through the glass cleaner.

I had managed to distract my mind quite well all night. It was now 8:30, and I was sure Con was thoroughly enjoying his date with Hilary.

I had no rights to him and I hadn't ever thought of him in any manner other than friends, so why was I now jealous? Was it because he moved on? I was a sucker for punishment and only liked men who didn't like me.

It was then that Con's brother Cam sidled up to the bar as the room started to cheer "Happy Birthday" and toast to the birthday person.