Aspen: Thank you. But… No. Fucking. Way. Good night, Ryker.
How could she turn me down? I just rode in like a knight in shining armor.
Ryker: Why not?
The three little bubbles appear, and she responds immediately. Good girl.
Aspen: I don’t need your help. You make zero sense. Given how angry you were at me just a few days ago and even tonight. And besides, there’s too much between us, too much personal history to get tangled up in something like this. I’ll find somebody else.
Ryker: Just think of me like the other investor. I’ve got the money. I can invest. I WANT to invest.
Aspen: Again, no thx.
She’s turning down my money. I can’t believe it. Not only is this not something I’m used to, it has literally never happened before. Not that I expected her to say yes via text, but she won’t even consider it. Why not?
Does she still hate me?
Does she think I can’t afford it?
Oh! Maybe she likes me, and she doesn’t want to mix business with pleasure!
I’ll try that approach.
Ryker: Look, Aspen, I know you’re attracted to me, but we can keep this professional. No mixing business and pleasure. For now. ;)
Hopefully, the wink emoji will lighten things up.
Aspen: You’re out of your mind. I am NOT attracted to you.
Ryker: Liar. You are totally attracted to me. As much as I am attracted to you.
Aspen: Then I definitely won’t take your money. That would definitely be mixing business with pleasure.
Ryker: Forget I said that. Actually, you’re really ugly. Totally toadsville. I’m not attracted to you at all. Negative, in fact. Ick. So, even though you’re attracted to me, consider me a handsome silent investor with VERY flexible terms. ;)
Dammit, I couldn’t help myself.
Aspen: LOL
Aspen: You’re weird.
Aspen: And no fucking way.
Well, at least I got a laugh.
Ryker: I’m serious. I’m gonna lay it out for you. There’s something about you. I know it seems crazy that until a couple of hours ago I thought I hated you. I WAS WRONG. I think I was a dick to you back in high school because I probably had the hots for you back then, too. I feel a strange pull toward you. And I know you feel it, too.
She doesn’t respond. I stand up to pace my jitters out of me by walking around the deck. Five whole minutes go by. Still no response. I crack my neck. She’s driving me crazy!
Time to go in for the kill. The big guns. Shock-n-awe. I’m ready.
I send her another message.
Ryker: Here’s the way I see it. I’m going to marry you someday. So will you just take my money now? I have a lot. Too much, even.
Aspen: Marry me? Ha!
That got a reaction out of her.
Aspen: Let me lay it out for YOU. It’s not happening. EVER. I’m not looking for a relationship. I don’t have time for one. I don’t want one. I am making my own way. I WILL NEVER DEPEND ON A MAN. Definitely not you.
Ryker: Well, you were going to depend on a man with your other investor. What was his name? Robert?
Aspen: That’s different.
Ryker: How?
Aspen: I’m not having this conversation. Invest your money elsewhere. Good night!
Shit. That didn’t end the way I wanted, but I smile nonetheless. I won’t give up. I’m officially excited to wake up tomorrow morning and go after something: Aspen. Exactly what Dad was talking about. Juice.
Ryker: Sweet dreams, my future wife.
And she thinks I’m joking.
8
Aspen
I look at my phone. Married? To Ryker? My throat constricts. Am I gagging? Or just choking? Who cares, they’re both bad. The balls on that man! Well, I guess I know the answer to that one. They’re big balls. Huge. I snicker and slap my palm to my forehead. He must be manic. That would explain everything. Should I pick the petals off a daisy to see which one I land on? He loves me, he loves me not. Only it’s… He hates me, he hates me not. A dark laugh escapes.
Well, sweet dreams, my ass. Like I can sleep now.
I get up from the couch and turn off the TV, and I put Dagny into her cage for the night. I latch the cage door and peer down at her. “Dagny, can you believe that guy? Marriage. Ha. Who does he think he is, some kind of savior? Well, I don’t need saving.”
But his first offer blares like a foghorn in my mind. The one he said before marriage.
Investing.
I admit, my heart skipped a beat when he offered to invest. But I know better. That road reeks worse than week-old raccoon roadkill. Besides, how does he have access to that kind of money so fast?
And when he texted “marry me”? My heart skipped a million beats as the insanity gave me a mini heart attack.
So, why am I pacing in a circle around my living room, flattening a trail in the carpet? I know exactly why! When I saw him tonight, I was distraught at losing my investor, and the minute I realized that angry Mystery Man was sitting next to me, a spark ignited in my darkness. And I actually forget my hotel troubles for a minute.
My heart sinks again, and I blame my own insanity. I’m too stressed. Cracking under the pressure. I need a good night’s sleep, and I’ll dive back into planning tomorrow with a fresh mind. I don’t know what I’m going to do with the hotel, but I’ll think of something. I always do.
I turn back to look at Dagny. “I know I promised you the hotel, darlin’. I’ll have to find another way to make it happen. I promise, I will.”
Maybe Jerry at Crossbow Dixie is right. Maybe I’ll find another investor sooner than later. Maybe I’ll boldly approach people at the silent auction. Or maybe I can get
