Aspen shook her head."I wouldn't want to be a baker for that reason.I prefer to work later in the day.I do personal assistant work for the Wilde Ski Resort, and that's primarily in the evenings."
"Whereas I can't stay up late."
Aspen smiled."We're the opposite in a lot of ways."
"But we can still be friends."I wanted to be friends with her.She had insight about Morgan that I didn't, and I liked her.I felt sympathy for her situation.Her parents wanted the best for her, but she didn't know what that was.
Aspen's phone buzzed, and she checked the message.
She met my gaze over her phone."Can I report back to Morgan that you're good now?"
I smiled."Sure."
Aspen recited what she was typing."Reina's fine, and I didn't scare her away."
I groaned."Why did you say that?"
She flashed me a smile."Because I have an annoying little-sister reputation to uphold."
"Maybe it's not a good idea for us to be friends," I joked.
She tucked her phone away."I have a feeling that we're going to be good friends.United against my brothers."
I laughed."I don't know about that."
"The best part about my brothers being in serious relationships is that there's more women hanging around family dinners, and I have someone to talk to.But Morgan is the last brother to fall in love, and that means that I'll be the only single one left."She shuddered."Soon the focus will be on me to find someone.To do something meaningful with my life."
I covered her hand with mine."I'm sure it won't be that bad."
She rolled her eyes."You have no idea.A large family is great until it isn't.They can meddle."
"I'm sorry."
She waved her hand."Tell me about your plans for the bakery."
She seemed genuinely interested, so I told her about Morgan's design ideas for the kitchen and my plans to expand the business."
"I'm so jealous of your drive and determination.But I just don't seem to have that in my DNA."
I shrugged, not intending to make her feel bad."Yeah, but you're destined for something else.Besides, I love your carefree attitude.I wish I had just a tenth of that."
Aspen smiled."Really?"
"I admire you.You're so relaxed.I feel like I'm always stressing about something: the renovation, the business, my relationship with Morgan.It's a lot."
"Just hang around with me, and I'll rub off on you."
I grinned."Sounds perfect."
Aspen checked the time on her phone."I better get back to the inn."
We gathered our things and stood.
Aspen slung her purse over her shoulder."What are you doing the rest of the day?"
"I have to deliver baked goods to the inn and the homeless shelter.And then I'll head home."
"There's a yoga class at the inn.You should check it out sometime.Yoga helps clear my head.It's a mess up there most of the time."Aspen chuckled to herself, and I wondered if her scattered brain was undiagnosed ADHD.But I didn't know her well enough to make that conclusion.
