And when I do, I’m thrilled at what I see. The queen-sized bed covered in a cream duvet and lots of fluffy pillows is a sight for sore eyes. It takes up almost the entire room, one side of the bed is flush with the wood-plank wall, and it’s perfect. When I turn to look at Jasper, he’s watching me closely, and I know I’m not the only one imagining all the fun we’re going to have in this room.

“Don’t look at me like that. Not yet, at least.” I roll onto my tiptoes in order to give him a quick kiss. “We have to get a fire started. We can’t start a mountain getaway without s’mores.”

“Seriously?” His eyes are huge and he looks like a little kid on Christmas. “I don’t think I’ve ever had s’mores on a real fire. My dad used to let us roast them over his grill, but that was as close as we ever got.”

I try not to look too appalled or call his parents out on what I might consider to be child abuse before I take his hand and pull him the few steps it takes to get back to the living room.

The curtains covering the huge window facing the river are open. Any remaining hints of pink have disappeared as the dark night sky rolls in. A view unlike anything possible in Denver looms overhead as what seems like millions of stars glitter in the sky.

I love living in Denver, but to me, this is heaven. There’s a quiet stillness that’s only possible when you’re nestled deep in the mountains, outside the range of any cell tower. Sitting under the stars, realizing there’s so much more to the world than anyone knows, it’s freedom.

“I feel like I might be a broken record this weekend”—Jasper wraps his arms around my middle and pulls me into him—“but wow. I can’t believe how beautiful this all is.”

I angle my head up so I can see him taking in the view, but when I do, his eyes are focused on me.

“Most beautiful sight in the entire world,” he whispers before taking my mouth with his. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

I don’t know why he’s thanking me when I feel like the lucky one.

Unlike Elsie, I’ve never had my person. All my travels have been solo or with someone I met in a travel group. So sharing this place I love, with a man I think I’m falling in love with? I couldn’t be happier.

But still, who am I to say that he’s not feeling the same?

“You’re welcome,” I say before pulling out of his grip. “Now, hurry. The marshmallows and skewers are in my backpack. I’ll get the fire started.”