Page 22 of To Her

Geri

After I had finished my shift, I went and changed.

I had two hours until I was needed in the restaurant for a shift, but on my way to my room, I ran into Mrs. Harrington, who told me I wasn't needed in the restaurant tonight.

She wanted me in the bar—a birthday was booked down there, and it was going to be busy, so I now had four hours of free time but would be working until well after midnight.

I just smiled and agreed because I was a chicken shit who did what scary bosses told them.

I went back to my room and finally messaged Alex back. I started with a simple:”

Hey

and received a

Hey

back instantly. Then my phone rang, Alex's name on the screen. I pulled on my big girl pants, said "fuck it," and answered the call.

It was a nice call at first—all sweet hellos, missed you’s, etc.—until I finally bit the bullet and said, "Hey, I think we need to talk."

Alex groaned and said, "I knew this was coming."

"What?" I asked, confused by his reaction.

"I knew you would put a label on this," he said, sounding resigned.

I smiled and said, "Sorry. I mean, it's time, right?"

"Yes, it's time," Alex agreed. "I mean, I had hoped we could just keep going the way it is. I like it this way."

"I do too," I admitted, "but I don't want to get your hopes up for more."

He sighed and said, "I know, I know. I had guessed it from the start, and I don't want to lose this. Can we keep messaging? I love having someone to talk to daily. I like the feeling of having a girlfriend without actually having one."

I laughed because I could relate to that. It was nice to have someone there without actually having the fear of losing it.

"Sure," I said, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "Just make sure if you ever meet a woman, you tell me so I can change my texts from 'fuck buddies' to 'friends.'"

He laughed and said, "I want the same, okay?"

"But I will want dick pics. They make me smile," I added, grinning to myself.

My phone instantly pinged with a fresh dick pic of Alex, which again made me laugh.

"Did you have that one at the ready?" I asked, amused.

"Sure did," he replied. "I had pulled this afternoon thinking of your pussy, so I thought I would snap it to send to you."

I laughed again because damn, he had a good-looking dick, and I told him so.

Then he asked if I wanted to fool around on the phone. I looked at the time and groaned.

"I can't," I said reluctantly. "I've got a shift soon, and I want to grab some food beforehand. I've not eaten today."

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.

"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 each other 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 had evaporated, 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.