Page 8 of Paired with the Mountain Man

“Mmhmm,” I mumbled while making myself a cup of coffee. My voice was gruff and with how tired my body felt, I probably looked like shit.

I sat down across from him and took my time sipping my coffee before I spoke.

“Well?”

“I’ve been talking to the girl I told you about. Pretty much all the time when I’m not working and last night, we stayed up late. I think I really like her, Jack.”

He looked at me with skepticism. “Listen, I’m here for whatever comes of this, just be careful. I don’t want to see you getting hurt.”

“Aw, does Jack actually have a caring bone somewhere in there?”

“You know I do. You’re a brother to me. This chick better not be playing any games.”

“I hope not. That would suck.”

“So, what’s she like?”

“She lives in Apple Falls, from a close-knit family, has an obsession with shoes and has a closet full of them, loves to write, enjoys binging true crime documentaries.”

Jack stared at me over the rim of his coffee cup, lifting one eyebrow in question.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“Nothing, it’s just...” He paused and shook his head. “Never mind.”

“Just say it, man.”

Jack shrugged. “It sounded like you described my sister.”

I froze.Wait- what?

Unsure how else to react, I laughed and shot him a look like he lost his mind. “Your sister? What? That’s crazy. Adalynn doesn’t like—” But then I stopped myself. Jack was right.

Adalynn was obsessed with shoes and had a closet full, she loved to write, and loved true crime…but no.No.It was just a coincidence. “Guess they have a lot in common, then.”

“So, when are you going to meet her?”

“I don’t know. Hopefully, soon. Seems like she’s avoiding it.”

“Uh oh, that’s never a good sign.”

“I know. Maybe I should go back to the traditional way of dating- hanging out at the bar.”

Jack laughed. “And exactly who would you find there?”

“You know who. The regulars. No thanks.”

“Are you going to still workout with me? I need to get some weightlifting in.”

“Maybe after another cup of coffee. And we take Bailey for a walk first.”

“Alright, fine. But hurry up. I don’t have all day.” Jack grumbled.

“Yeah, you do.” I patted him on the back and stood up for another cup of coffee. Yet my mind was on high alert.

I kept thinking about what Jack said.It sounded like you described my sister.

No, it couldn’t be. Maybe I’d finally gotten lucky enough to find someone like her.

---