Page 3 of Enamored with the Mountain Man

“Well, maybe not to others, but to me, yes. Want to talk about it?”

“Yes, want to grab dinner after I close up?”

Caitlin smiled. “I’d love that. A new Italian place opened a block away from my apartment. Want to check it out?”

“Yes, I’ve heard great reviews already.”

“Perfect.”

The day ticked by slowly but after closing up at seven, I met Caitlin atNonna’s Pasta, both of us stopping home first to shower and change.Who wants to eat in sweaty clothes? Yuck.

We ordered a pitcher of red berry sangria, and while browsing the menu, we nibbled on bread and parmesan dipping oil.

“Okay, girl, spill it. You’ve kept me in suspense all day. Unless it’s a sensitive subject, then take your time.” Caitlin grinned before popping a piece of bread in her mouth.

I laughed. “So you know how I’m taking time off the next couple of weeks?”

“Of course, how could I forget? I’m in charge.”

“And a great boss you’ll be. Well, I decided to get out of the city for a little while. This is going to sound nuts, but I stumbled upon a dating site called Mountain Mates. It’s full of hunky mountain men from small towns. I figured why not have a little fling and enjoy the small-town mountain life for a little while?”

“Oh. My. God. You mean to tell me there is a dating website of just mountain men?” Caitlin sputtered as our server arrived with our pitcher of sangria. She filled our glasses, and we placed our orders before she scurried off with our menus.

“Yep. Insane right? An ad for it popped up while I was scrolling social media one night. So what do you think? Have I gone nuts?”

“If you think you can do it, not have any feelings involved, and come back to the city refreshed, then why not? More power to ya. Me personally? I’d probably be in love in a few days’ time.”

“That is true.” We clinked glasses and said cheers before taking our first sip of delicious sangria.

“I’ve kinda been talking to someone already,” I confessed and gulped down some sangria.

“I knew it! There had to be more to the distraction than just a website. Tell me everything.” Caitlin’s eyes lit up as she ate more bread.

I filled her in on how we’ve talked nonstop the past few days and how much I like him.

“The only problem? He doesn’t want temporary.”

“Wait, what? He doesn’t?”

“No. He’s looking for awife.” I blanched at the word. I couldn’t see myself getting married anytime soon, though maybe one day wedding bells would ring.

Caitlin wrinkled her nose. “Ew. Who wants that before they turn thirty?”

“He’s thirty-one. And has a two-year-old daughter. That’s who.”

“Oh no, Lainey! Run the other way. You wanttemporary.He’s anything but.”

I laughed at her wide eyes and shocked expression. “I know, I know. But I can’t stop talking to him.”

“Delete your messages and block him.”

“Ouch. That’s a little harsh. Besides, maybe I can change his mind?”

Caitlin tilted her head to the side and shot me a look that said-really?“Okay, I’m making the prediction now. You go there and you fall in love. You move there and I never see you again.”

Now it was my turn to send her the same look. “And I just abandon my dance studio I’ve worked so hard for?”

“No. You sell it to me.”

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