Page 2 of Gamers' Omega

I turned and saw Valle Granja spread out like a blanket across the land. Roads and houses shrank to a soft silhouette with the downtown buildings sticking up like something had pierced the Earth from below.

I really had chosen someplace special to live.

The ride lasted for about ten minutes, then we berthed at the mountaintop platform. I exited to the small reception area and browsed some of the information boards before going outside.

The view was even more stunning from the top of the mountain. The river that gave the valley its fertile soil cut through the center of the city with farms to the north and south.

Then I noticed how crisp and cool the air was, harsh with the tinge of approaching winter. It made me glad that I’d thought to bring a jacket, even though the temperature below was still comfortable enough to go without.

I walked along the viewing platform, taking in the beauty, then I turned and looked down the back side of the mountain, where ski runs crisscrossed between the trees. A drier valley led to smaller towns and subdivisions.

My mind wandered. How much of the area would I be able to explore in a year? Would I want to stay longer, or would I move on again once my lease was up? A part of me couldn’t imagine leaving such a beautiful place, but I’d felt that way before.

I frowned. Had I left places, or had I left people? When I thought of those beautiful locales that had stolen my heart in the past, there had always been a sense of loss when I’d left. But the memories were tarnished by the greed of men who didn’t understand me.

Should I have stayed? Maybe. But why tie myself to a place with bad memories when there were so many gorgeous new places with nothing to darken the beauty?

I shook my head and made my way back inside the reception area for the tram. There was a small lunch counter, and though I knew it was going to be overpriced, I couldn’t help myself. I might ride up again, or I might not. It could be my one chance to eat at the top of that mountain, and I wasn’t going to miss it.

Soon I had a burrito in one hand and a bottle of soda in the other. I found a nice table outside along the overlook and sat.

What would I find in Valle Granja? What was there that would make my heart sing? Was love in the cards—would I find the man who could help me finally put down roots?

Only time would tell.

I finished eating and was just crumpling the wrapper when my phone rang.

“Hello?” I answered, hoping the wind wasn’t too bad for the other person to hear.

“Eric Newsom?”

“That’s me.”

“Great! My name is Owen, and I’m the manager at Slice of Heaven. You put in an application for a daytime server position?”

I sat up straighter. “Yes?”

“I was wondering if I could schedule you for an interview sometime in the next couple of days.”

“Absolutely.”

“Great! Is there a good time in the afternoon?”

“My schedule is fairly open since I just moved here, so whatever works.”

“How about tomorrow at three?”

“Tomorrow at three? I can do that.”

“Great I’ll see you then.”

“See you then.”

I did a little happy dance after I hung up. It was a good sign to be called so quickly for an interview. It meant that the universe was telling me that I was where I was supposed to be.

I made a note on my phone about the interview and restaurant name so that I could find the address. Then I made my way back inside and to the platform.

Things were definitely on a good track.