Page 2 of Blind Date with a #MOUNTAINMAN

Nan laughed, her eyes shining. “Sweet boy, you know I would give you the world. Always. Now, let me show you around and where you’ll be sleeping. Then I want to show you off to all my friends.”

“Show off little ol’ me? Nah.” I teased. “I’m the one showingyouoff.”

“See, I knew I kept you around for a reason.” Nan winked. “Always good for a confidence boost.”

CHAPTER TWO

Iris

“Remindme why I agreed to this again?” I huffed into the phone as I hurried down the busy city block, doing my best to avoid the stream of bodies in every direction.

“Because you could use a little lovin’ in your life.” My best friend, Emily, responded, a hint of amusement in her tone.

“One blind date isn’t going to lead to some lovin’.” I retorted.

“No time to be cynical. Get your ass to that restaurant and enjoy a nice meal with a handsome man.”

“We don’t know he’s handsome. Can we trust my grandma and her friends? I’m not so sure.” I should’ve told my grandma Mimi no. This wasn’t the way I spent my nights. Usually, I worked until almost seven at night, went straight home, changed into my pjs, poured a glass of wine, cooked myself some dinner, and sat on the couch, binging the latest true crime documentary on Netflix. Sometimes I ordered takeout, but I didn’t mind cooking most nights.

Yeah, my life consisted around my job. I didn’t have time for love, nor did I want to even look for it. I barely had time for alife. Sometimes I wanted a change, to let all the stress and chaos of my high-profile marketing executive job go, but I loved the money. I was good at my job, and I enjoyed doing it. Yet the thought of a slower life and settling down and having a family appealed to me. Until it became time to take the leap. Then I stalled faster than a kid at bedtime.

“I’m pretty confident in Mimi’s taste of men.” Emily declared as I rounded the corner, the restaurant coming into view.

“I’ll take your word for it. I’m here. Wish me luck. I’ll text you if I need an out.”

“And I won’t answer.”

“Emily!”

“Relax, I’m kidding. I’m on standby. Keep me posted. But no texts over something stupid like the shape of his ears.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes even though she couldn’t see me.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me.” Emily quipped.

“I’m not.” I snickered. “Bye, love you.”

“Love you and remember to have fun!”

I ended the call, shoved my phone in my purse, and took a deep breath.Let’s get this over with.

I founda seat at the bar, dropped my purse in the one next to me, and ordered a glass of wine. We agreed to meet here in the restaurant over text message earlier today.My grandma helped herself to handing out my phone number, so I was surprised to see an unknown phone number texting me.

I quickly pull out my phone and do a quick Google search of the number. I doubted it would tell me much, but the area code wasn’t from around here which piqued my curiosity.

Google said it was a Vermont area code. That was strange. Did this guy not live in Cali?

What is Mimi up to?

Clicking on one of the links, I tried to find out any information I could but no name or anything. Maybe I could search it on Facebook. As I navigated to the app I wanted, I saw out of the corner of my eye someone sit down next to me.

Of course, they had to sit on the stool right next to mine, the very one I was saving. I turned my head to let them know when my eyes connected with the most handsome man, I’d ever laid eyes on. My breath caught in my throat when his gaze met mine, his dark brown eyes reflecting deep pools of mystery. Mystery I suddenlyhadto know.

I opened my mouth to tell him the seat was taken, but no words formed, my brain suddenly blank.

The man smiled, a pearly white shining smile, and my heart damn near skipped a beat. A warmth radiated off him and I wanted to wrap myself around it and never let go. “Iris, is it?”

Shit, he knows my name.

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