Page 1 of Speed Dating the Mountain Man

1

RENA

Itake a deep breath and step into the resort's lounge, my eyes widening at the sight before me. Twinkling fairy lights now drape across the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room. Heart-shaped balloons bob gently in the corners, their red hues a perfect match for the crisp white tablecloths adorned with rose petals.

Madison spots me from across the room and waves me over, her face a picture of excitement. "Rena! You made it!" She pulls me into a quick hug, the scent of her perfume enveloping me.

"Of course I did," I reply with a grin. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. The place looks amazing, by the way. I can't believe how much you've got done since I finished my shift."

Penny appears at my side, a tray of champagne flutes balanced expertly in her hand. "Here, have a drink. It'll help with the nerves."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "Who says I'm nervous?"

Madison and Penny exchange a knowing look. "Oh, please," Madison says, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "We can practically see your heart beating out of your chest."

I take a flute from Penny's tray and down it in one gulp. The bubbles tickle my throat, and I feel a rush of warmth spread through my body. "Okay, fine. Maybe I am a little nervous. But can you blame me? I mean, what if I make a total fool of myself tonight?"

Penny snorts. "Rena, you're gorgeous, funny, and smart as hell. Any guy would be lucky to have you."

I feel my cheeks flush at the compliment. "Thanks, Pen. But I don't know... I mean, you and Madison both found your dream guys here at the resort. What if I'm just not meant to have that kind of luck?"

Madison places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Hey, don't think like that. You never know what could happen tonight. Just be yourself and have fun. The rest will fall into place."

I nod, feeling a surge of determination. "Guess we'd better open the doors to the public then."

As people begin to stream into the lounge, I make my way over to my designated table, smoothing my favorite floral dress over my curves as I take a seat. The fabric hugs my body in all the right places, and I feel a flicker of confidence.

Madison slides into the chair beside me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Rena, I know you're nervous, but I can't thank you enough for agreeing to be part of this event."

I smile at her, feeling a rush of affection. "Of course, Mads. You know I'd do anything for you. Plus, it's not like it's a hardship to spend an evening chatting with eligible bachelors." I add a playful wink, and Madison laughs.

"True, but still. I really appreciate it." She leans in closer, lowering her voice. "I want to hear all about your experiences tonight, okay? I need to know if these events are worth hosting again in the future."

I nod, feeling a flutter of nerves in my stomach. "You got it, boss. I'll give you the full rundown, warts and all."

Madison grins and stands up. "I know you will. And hey, maybe you'll even find your Prince Charming tonight."

I snort, shaking my head. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'll settle for a guy who can hold a conversation and doesn't have spinach in his teeth."

As if on cue, a tall, broad-shouldered man approaches our table, his eyes fixed on me. I feel my heart skip a beat as he extends his hand. "Hi there. I'm James. Mind if I join you?"

I glance at Madison, who gives me an encouraging nod before turning back to James with a smile. "Not at all. I'm Rena. It's nice to meet you."

As the event gets into full swing, I find myself bouncing from one speed date to another, a whirlwind of small talk and nervous laughter. The first few guys are nice enough, but there's no real spark. I smile and nod as a chatty ski instructor regales me with tales of his most daring runs, but my mind starts to wander.

Date number four is a shy accountant who seems more interested in his drink than me. I try to draw him out with questions about his work, but he just shrugs and mumbles something about spreadsheets.

By the time I’m joined by bachelor number six, I can feel my energy starting to flag. I sneak a glance at my watch, realizing that I have an online class starting in a couple of hours. I feel a twinge of guilt for not giving these guys my full attention, but I can't help it.

I paste on a smile as my latest date, an older guy in a flannel shirt, starts telling me about his dog grooming business. I nod and make appreciative noises in all the right places, but my mind is already drifting to the lecture notes I need to review before class.

As the guy drones on about the intricacies of canine haircuts, I catch Penny's eye from across the room. She shoots me a sympathetic look, and I inwardly groan.

The timer dings, signaling the end of another round, and I stand up with a polite smile. "It was great meeting you," I say to my date, shaking his hand.

Just as I'm about to make my excuses and leave the event early, I catch sight of a man pushing his way through the door. He looks uncomfortable, tugging at the collar of his button-up shirt, which seems a size too small, as he leans in to talk to Penny. Despite his obvious discomfort, there's something about him that immediately catches my eye.

He's tall and broad-shouldered, with tousled dark hair that falls over his forehead. His jawline is covered in a short beard that only adds to his rugged appearance. He looks out of place among the polished resort guests, but that only makes him more intriguing.

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