AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is that really true, though? If you’re going to run a business, be the boss, I think it’s where you choose to prioritize. My mom runs the restaurant and my dad runs the brewery and distribution for ARB; they both have big jobs and a lot of obligations. But they never blow each other off for work. They make a point to plan and spend time together. That’s their first priority.”
“Your parents have it all figured out,” I agreed.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s kind of sickening when you really think about it.” She grimaced. “I couldn’t stand to be around them when I was in high school. But now I get that it’s how they made it work. Their business, their jobs, are a priority. But their relationship is thefirstpriority. They built the brewery together. If they didn’t have each other, it would never have worked out. As sickeningly sweet as they can sometimes be, they’ve always kept each other grounded. It’s partially why I’ve never gotten serious with anyone; until I find something that compares to what my parents have, I just can’t see myself investing the time into it. So I can say from firsthand experience, a relationship can work with two busy people as long as they prioritize each other. The business doesn’t have to take first place to be successful.”
“Right, and I’m sure Zach and I could have made it work back then. I just didn’t know how to ask for what I wanted.”
“Yeah, and that’s why you broke up with him after college. Because he kept treating you like an afterthought, and you were tired of it.”
“Ouch, way harsh Tessa.” I straightened up and leaned away from her.
“Hey, I’m your friend and it’s my job to remind you when you forget shit like this. Zach is always nice, but he did some shit that really hurt your feelings. Intentional or not, how you felt was always second to what he thought was important. I don’t really see that changing. Besides, you’re kind of glossing over the most important thing, so I’ll be a good bestie and remind you: Zach wants to absorb Aspen Ridge.”
An uncomfortable feeling squirmed in my gut. “I know I was really mad at him for proposing it, but that’s just how he is… he’s always looking at the next peak over, trying to plan his next leap.”
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “Ellie, you know I like Zach, but he has always had a one-track mind. He will just keep pressuring you until you give in and give him what he wants. He’s been like that since high school. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had this planned before you two were even dating.”
A shocked laugh poured from my throat, and I nearly spilled the rest of my wine. I gulped it down quickly—we don’t abuse alcohol around these parts—and as soon as I finished it, Tessa hopped out of her seat to fetch the second bottle.
“Think about it though,” she said eagerly, her eyes bright. Tessa always loved a good conspiracy. “You guys went to different high schools. It’s not like you were in the same classes or anything.” She popped the cork and started pouring a little sloppily, the wine foaming dangerously closed to the rim.
“Tessa, we saw each other practically every weekend at all the community events our parents dragged us to. We were the only people our age there.”
“Yeah,” she agreed, filling her own glass. “And you guys were just friends for years. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, he asked you out. No lead up or anything. Don’t you remember? You thought it was weird, even back then.”
I took a long sip. “I mean, yeah, but we were in high school. Guys were awkward in high school, or did you forget? The first guy I dated asked me out by shouting down the hallway that I was hot. Zach was an absolute gentleman by comparison.”
“Maybe, but I still think it’s suspicious. No, hear me out!” She insisted when I started to interrupt. “Zach’s dad had Snowshoe Ridge up and running, and now he’s looking for opportunities to expand. Your dad obviously wouldn’t go for it, and there you are, bored at these community meetings, being a dutiful daughter. Everyone already knew your dad was grooming you to take over. So he thinks ‘huh, I can’t get my fingers on Aspen Ridge now, but maybe if the kids get together, when JJ steps down, Zach could pull it off.’”
“Ridiculous,” I scoffed. “Brian knows we have a board too, and the Blackwells own just as much as we do. They’d never agree to it.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Maybe they figured if they got you on board, you’d advocate on their behalf. Maybe they looked at your cousin Blaise, and Robert’s daughter, Stella, and thought they’d have a good chance at convincing them to go for it. That would just leave James and Reece as the potential holdouts, and while it might take some time, I bet they thought they could wear you all down. Surely your board would see the value in a proposal with the number of zeroes the Graftons would attach to it.”
“I think you’re digging way too deep on this one. Zach didn’t bring up merging the resorts until last year. I don’t buy that they’ve been planning it since high school.”
“Hey, I only tell it like I see it.” She shrugged, taking another sip. “I just know how those guys are, and I wouldn’t put it past them.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Now that she’d brought it up, my warm fuzzy feelings for Zach withered and died. Tessa was right. I was definitely looking back on our relationship with rose-tinted glasses, and just thinking about Zach wanting to add Aspen Ridge to his ‘portfolio’ was enough to put ice in my veins where he was concerned. Whatever had been between us, there was no getting past that. If he had understood me as well as I thought, he’d never have proposed it in the first place.
Unless she was right, and it was all part of a plan from the very beginning.
“Ugh, Tessa, I think I’m having a mid-life crisis. Did you just ruin my first love? I’m starting to doubt that you’re actually my friend at all.”
Tessa reached out an arm and pulled me into her body, allowing my head to rest on her shoulder. “No babe, I didn’t. I’m your first love. And besides, you never loved Zach.”
“What? Yes, I did.” I tried to sit up, but she pressed her hand to my head and kept me in place.
“Well, maybe it was like puppy love. With you two, it was always a business transaction between friends. I know you cared about him, but from my perspective your feelings for the guy were lukewarm, at best. There was a rush of excitement at the beginning and then you both kind of settled into being a middle-aged couple with all your fancy resort obligations. Besides, he never loved you like I do.” She patted my head sloppily, her dark hair spilling over my face as she rested her cheek on my head.
“I think I could have loved Jake,” I admitted in a whisper, my voice catching in my throat.
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I know you didn’t see it, but you were different with him than you ever were with Zach.”
“Different how?”
“You were more…youwith Jake. Like you are with me. It’s hard to explain, but around Zach it was like you were a different version of yourself. I really thought you were on to something with Jake.”
“Me too,” my eyes prickled with tears. “But if we can’t meet on the same page now, it’s never going to work out long term. I guess it’s good to end it before it ever got serious.”
