Page 2 of Blind Date with a #MOUNTAINMAN (Love Canyon Blind Date with a #BOOKBOYFRIEND)

CHAPTER TWO

Iris

“Remind me 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 a life. 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 found a 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 suddenly had to 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.

He said my name.

He’s not…he can’t be…

“Yes, that’s me. And you are?” I arched my eyebrow, pretending like I didn’t know this sexy as fuck man was my blind date, Jace.

He chuckled, his eyes drawing me in more. “Jace, your blind date. Nice to meet you. I’d offer you a handshake but that seems a little weird, so how about a hug?” Jace opened his arms, his very beefy arms might I add, and there was no way I wasn’t accepting this man’s hug, awkward or not.

If only Emily could see me now…

His arms enveloped me in a way no other hug had before. Like I was safe, secure, and protected, his calming presence working its way through me. His scent infiltrated my nose, sending desire coursing through my veins in ways I never expected, my panties now drenched, my legs clamped shut.

I didn’t let go until he backed away, wanting the feeling to stay forever, a high I’d never be able to duplicate.

Who the fuck am I right now? A damn horny toad?

“Mmm, that felt nice.” Jace smiled and dropped his arms back at his sides.

I cleared my throat, a burn rushing to my cheeks. I said nothing and instead buried my face in the menu. Men didn’t have an effect on me like Jace did and I felt lost and out of control. I needed to reel it back in and get this date over with.

When I didn’t say anything, Jace filled the silence, his voice calming.

“Any idea what you might order? I’m feeling like a good burger, or maybe a steak.

Nothing beats my Nan’s cooking though, that’s for sure.

Last night, she made my favorite dish of beef stew in a bread bowl with melted cheese on top. It was amazing.”

I’ve barely said five words to this man, and he talked like we were old friends. Was he always so kind? Didn’t it become tiring?

“What’s your favorite meal?” Jace asked.

I shrugged. “Don’t really have one. Food is more of a necessity to me.

” Internally, I cringed at the way I sounded.

But I couldn’t help the irritation in my voice.

He was too damn chipper for me. And my stubborn ass did have a favorite meal.

It was chicken parmesan and only my Mimi could make it just the way I liked it.

“Gotcha.” Jace went back to browsing the menu.

A few minutes of silence stretched between us, and the air was stifling. I killed the mood. Ugh, why aren’t I home right now?

Jace closed the menu and flagged the bartender down. “Would you like a refill?” He nodded at my near empty glass.

“Sure, thanks.”

More silence fell between us, and I wiggled in my seat, the awkwardness filling like a balloon stretched to its max capacity.

Jace ordered a glass of wine for each of us, which intrigued me. He liked wine? A strong merlot, to be exact. One of my favorites.

“You enjoy wine?” I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.

“That I do. Never was a fan of beer or hard liquor. But a nice, sweet red wine, I’ll take any day. You?”

“Yeah, same here.”

“Not much of a talker, hmm?” Jace grinned.

I sighed. “Look, it’s been a long day. I promised my grandmother I’d go on this date because she kept nagging at me, telling me I need to settle down soon, when really, I want to be home, in my pjs, on my couch, watching TV.”

“Well, why don’t we do that, then?”

“What?” I asked, baffled.

“Get this dinner to go, head back to your place, and veg out on the couch. I promise not to hog the remote.”

“But I don’t even know you.”

“Your grandma, Mimi, is it? She’s a good friend of my Nan’s, and I happened to meet her last night when the ladies got together. I’m sure if we call either one of them, they’ll vouch for me.”

I shook my head in complete disbelief. But I found myself saying yes anyway. “As long as we grab a bottle of wine on the way there.”