Page 4 of Blind Date with a #MOUNTAINMAN (Love Canyon Blind Date with a #BOOKBOYFRIEND)

CHAPTER FOUR

Iris

Emily: What is happening? I NEED TO KNOW

Emily: Don’t ignore me

Emily: IRIS! At least tell me you’re okay

Iris: I’m okay. I’m home. In my happy spot.

Emily: Already? But it’s only been an hour. Tell me it wasn’t horrible.

Iris: It wasn’t horrible. In fact, the date isn’t over yet. He’s here with me.

Emily: …

Emily:

Emily: Hello, who are you and what have you done with my friend Iris?

Emily: Iris, you better answer me

Emily: HELLO?! Do I need to call Mimi?

Iris: Relax, we’re just having dinner and watching a movie. I’ll text you later, okay?

Emily: No. No, it’s not okay. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?!

Iris: You told me to have a good time. So that’s what I’m doing.

Emily: Okay, seriously, the jig is up.

Iris: It’s true. Kinda helps that he’s hot af.

Emily: OMG.

I tucked my phone away and looked over at Jace, sitting on the opposite end of my couch, respectful of my space.

Honestly, I was just as confused as Emily was.

The hot as fuck applesauce mountain man was doing funny things to my insides. Weird things. But things that felt…good. Instead of my usual fight against it, I’ve backed down.

But I had to be careful. Jace didn’t live around here. He was going back to Vermont, his home. My life and career were here. But that didn’t mean we couldn’t have a bit of fun, right?

As long as you don’t fall for him.

Shut up, brain. There’s no falling in love around here. Ick.

Mimi knew what she was doing, didn’t she? But why pair me with someone I couldn’t be with?

“How was your meal?” Jace asked, pulling me from my overabundance of thoughts.

I finished off the last of my wine and set my plate down. “Pretty good. You?”

“Good. Hit the spot. Want a refill on wine?”

I nodded. “I’d love one.”

Jace returned a moment later with the bottle of wine and filled our glasses almost to the top. “Might as well finish it off, right?”

I smiled, the warmth of the wine buzzing through me. Certainly nothing to do with him. “I can’t believe we have the same taste in wine.”

Jace sat closer to me on the couch and sipped his drink. “I think it’s cool. Nan doesn’t drink and Pops, my grandpa, drank beer. Joked I had girlie taste.”

“Ha, I bet your friends didn’t let you live that one down.”

Jace smirked. “Nope. They prefer beer. But hey, we like what we like, right?”

“Right. Have you ever gone to a vineyard?” My tongue loosened as I drank more.

“No. I’d love to though. Aren’t there some around here?”

“Yeah. A little more north. But I’ve never been, either. Always wanted to, never found the time.”

“What if we make the time?”

I set my wine glass down. “Uh, I’m not so sure. I have to work and how long are you here until, anyway?”

“I leave in six days.”

“See, not much time.”

“There’s plenty of time if you want to make it happen.”

“Who’s watching your business while you’re away?”

“A couple of guys I trust who work for me. They’ve run the show a few times. We all need a break sometimes.”

“Yeah, well, not all of us can get one so easily.” I said, my words sounding harsher than I intended. I looked away from him and down at my lap, my shoulders sagging.

“Okay, no biggie.” Jace’s voice softened. “Just an idea I had.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes, the reality show on the TV forgotten about.

It was official- I was a fun sucker. Through and through. My cold exterior dampened any warmth he gave off.

I sighed heavily, as if the weight of the world sat on my shoulders.

You have plenty of vacation time…use some! Go to a vineyard with this hot man!

I shook my head in a futile attempt to clear my thoughts. I couldn’t get caught up in whatever this was. It wasn’t real life. This was the wine talking and I wasn’t about to let it convince me of something unrealistic.

“I think I’m going to call it a night.” I muttered and stood up from the couch. No need to drag this out any longer. Just cut ties and be done with it.

“Oh, okay. I take it you have work tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” I forced the word out. What are you doing? Why would you let him go?

“Listen, Iris, I’m sorry if I offended you in any way.

That wasn’t my intention.” Jace stood up next to me, his eyes full of sincerity.

“I thought it could be a fun little adventure. But I totally understand if you have to work. So, yeah, it was nice meeting you and thanks for the nice meal.” He went to grab our plates and without thinking, I placed my hand on his arm.

“Wait.”

Jace froze in place and when our eyes connected, his were full to the brim with kindness and compassion.

Who is this man?

I dropped my hand. “You know what? Maybe a trip to a vineyard would be nice. I haven’t taken any vacation time in so long. I could use a few days off.” I blurted the words out quickly before I had a chance to change my mind.

“Really?” Jace’s entire face beamed bright. “I mean, that’s cool. If you want to…” His voice trailed off but the grin stretched across his face didn’t waver one bit.

I lightly pushed him on the shoulder, a playful gesture, like two friends teasing, but Jace seized the moment and wrapped his strong hand around my wrist, pulling me towards him.

He pressed his muscular body against mine and my breath hitched in my throat, dizzy from the feel of him. My fingers ached to touch him, explore his skin, and see what was beneath his t-shirt.

Tingles ran down my spine and when his hands fell to my waist and his fingers dug into my skin, I was ready to explode. “What are you doing?”

“I’ve thought about kissing you all night.” Jace whispered, his lips moving closer towards mine. “May I?”

Swoon, holy fucking swoon.

Did this man just ask me permission?

I nodded, all reasonable thought processes evaporating into thin air.

Jace wasted no time.

His mouth landed on mine and our lips fused together, as if we were made for each other, easily gliding into a kiss, the connection between us uncanny.

When he broke the kiss, both of us panting and out of breath, he smiled. “As long as we don’t fall in love with each other, we’re good. But a little fun never hurt.” He winked and my panties flooded with heat.

I scoffed jokingly. “Love? Not possible.” Cynicism at its finest.

“Stranger things have happened. Can you take tomorrow off or is that too soon?”

“I can take tomorrow off.”

“Perfect. Then I’ll be here bright and early. In my Nan’s car. It’s a Buick so no laughing.” He kissed me once more and after helping me pick up the dishes, we said goodnight.

When I climbed into bed later, I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of spending the day with Jace. At a vineyard no less.

As I typed an email to my boss, requesting the rest of the week off, a thrill ran through me. Like I was skipping school or something, the high from kissing Jace and now requesting time off at work was completely new to me.

But I loved it.

Every delicious second.

This new side of me emerging from the shadows was about to have some much-needed fun.

I’d ignored her for too long. It was time to come out and play.