But Aspen was still undecided.
What they had agreed upon was that she was going to have to fly back to Atlanta before the end of December. Gabe and his family had a long-standing tradition to ring in the new year together and Aspen was going to have to be out of her apartment on or before New Year’s Eve. He hated even thinking about it, but…there were some things that were out of his control.
The plan was to leave this morning for the two-day drive to Silver Bell Falls so they would arrive the night before Thanksgiving. Normally he didn’t mind the drive; he actually looked forward to it because the quiet gave him plenty of time to think about movie projects. Having Aspen along for the drive was going to be a bit of an adventure because she was never quiet. She loved to talk–and sing and laugh and listen to the radio loudly.
Yeah. An adventure.
And honestly, he was used to it.
They were unlikely friends from the get-go. Aspen was outgoing, energetic, and a total people person, whereas he was way more of an introvert and a people watcher. Human behavior fascinated him and that skill really helped enhance his film projects. Aspen was the only person to draw him out of his shell and make him experience things that he’d normally avoid.
She got him to go zip lining.
And surfing.
But one of her biggest accomplishments with him was totally food related. She was a chocolatier first and foremost, but she loved to create all kinds of desserts–cakes, cookies, candies, and pies. Gabe was not an adventurous eater, but he learned to taste first and ask second whenever she tried to make something new. Most of the time he loved what she made, but there were a few times when he threatened never to speak to her again for making him put something so awful in his mouth.
And Aspen took all his whining and threats in stride.
They first met when he decided to do a short film in college on the culinary department. Aspen had taken one look at him and his camera and immediately volunteered to be interviewed and featured. She explained everything she was doing and why and then created this delicate and beautiful chocolate piece of art. It was a tower of hearts and flowers with ribbons and waves of chocolate holding it all together. In his entire life he had never seen anything like it. There was an artistic side to creating candy that he had never realized. It immediately intrigued him and he found he never got tired of watching her work.
Or eating what she created.
For the life of him, he still couldn’t understand why she was drawn to him. He was quiet and a little nerdy and the complete opposite of all of her other friends. But when it was just the two of them? It all made sense. It shouldn’t…they shouldn’t. But somehow, they did.
His alarm beeped again and there was no more time to lie around lost in his own thoughts. There was a lot to do before they got on the road and with a loud groan, he climbed from the bed and dragged himself into the shower.
By nine, they had his SUV packed and ready to go, and Aspen was going over everything one last time.
“Okay, so we’ve got water, soda, and I grabbed a few bottles of iced tea, but I’m going to get a hot chocolate from Starbucks.”
“Um…okay.”
“Then in this cooler are all the snacks–cookies, chips, peanut butter brownies, pretzels, Rice Krispies treats, and the party-size bag of M&M’s.”
Aspen watched as Gabe peered into the cooler before looking up at her. “Is there anything in there that isn’t sweet or salty? Maybe some…fruit? Sandwiches? Yogurt?”
“Ew, Gabe. You know how I feel about yogurt.”
“Yeah, sorry. I forgot.” He paused. “You really didn’t make any sandwiches?”
“We have ten hours of driving ahead of us,” she reasoned. “We’re going to want to stop and get out of the car and have something to eat. I didn’t think it was a big deal. But if it means that much to you, we can stop at the deli and grab a couple of sandwiches to go.”
“No. You’re right. It will be good to get out and stretch our legs.”
She gave him a bright smile. “You want to drive the first shift or is it okay if I do it?”
He waved her off. “That’s fine. Just let me know when you’re ready to switch.”
“Deal.”
Climbing into the car, they each got situated and as soon as she started the car, the radio was on and Aspen immediately started talking.
“It’s great how your folks are willing to let me stay with them for the month,” she said. “I know you’ve mentioned how they always have a houseful of relatives over the holidays, so I hope they don’t mind one more.” Grinning at him, she went on. “I hope you told your mom that I promise to help with all the housework and I don’t expect her to wait on me.”
Gabe was looking at the weather app on his phone and shrugged. “You can say that all you want but she’s going to want to do everything for you because you’re a guest in her home. She thrives on taking care of everyone.”
“Well, I adore her and I’ll have to make some extra special treats for her.”
He chuckled and put his phone down. “I noticed you packed some of your kitchen tools.”
“Just for making chocolates. I know your mom bakes as a hobby so any cakes, cookies, or pies I know she’ll have the supplies for, but the candy stuff is more specific. And I’m not going to force any of it on her or take over her kitchen. It’s just there if anyone wants me to use it.”
Laughing again, he reached over and gently patted her leg. “Right. Because people turn down homemade candy so often.”
“You know what I’m saying.”
And he did.
“So what happened with your call last night? I heard you say ‘Hi, Mom’ as I was walking out the door.”
Groaning, she shook her head. “We talked about what’s going to happen when I move back and I’m already regretting my decision.”
“I’m telling you–I still don’t think you need to do it.”
“Too late now. I’ve given my notice with my apartment and I’m not going to be working for the next month, so…” She sighed. “But my sister and brother-in-law are going to be visiting in January and staying with my parents too.”
“That might be a little awkward, but…”
“And he’s bringing some of the outlaws with him.”
It was a name she had given her brother-in-law and his family because they were…well…not Aspen’s favorite kind of people. More than once she had mentioned how the guys were all a little handsy and inappropriate. She was undoubtedly already getting tense about the possibility of being groped.
“The good news is you don’t have to worry about anything like that for the next month. There are no outlaws in my family. No one’s going to want to get you under a blanket or try to grab your butt.”
“That’s all I ask.” Nudging him with her elbow, she laughed. “But I do kind of hate the idea that I’m taking a spot from one of your relatives who usually spend Christmas with you. Maybe I can go to a hotel or something so things won’t get awkward?”
“You don’t have to go to a hotel,” he assured her. “And besides, that kind of defeats the purpose of you getting away and saving some money. Mom said she has a plan to work it all out so we all have our privacy. Personally, I don’t know how that’s all going to happen, but she promised that she had a plan.”