Page 24 of Entranced in the Mountains
“Of course not,” I say, standing in the lobby.
He looks at me for a long moment before he finally tears his eyes off of me and leaves. I feel all giddy inside as I watch him go.
“Can we help you?” one of the receptionists asks.
“Oh no,” I say as I step a little closer to the desk. “I’m just here on a date.”
“Oh,” Tina says, looking blank-faced at Tiffany. “She’s on a ‘date.’”
She does those little air quotes when she says date. What’s that supposed to mean?
“Did your ‘date’ book a room?” Tiffany asks, staring dead-eyed at me.
“What?” I ask, looking around in confusion. “We’re having dinner.”
“But who’s booking the room after?” Tina asks. “You or him?”
“Does it come out of your rate?” Tiffany asks. “Or, is that extra for him?”
My mouth drops open. “I’m not a… prostitute.”
They glance at each other with blank faces. Their faces are expressionless, but I can tell they don’t believe me.
“I’m not!” I snap. “I’m on a date with the Sheriff.”
“TheSheriff,” Tina says with a grin. “Scandalous.”
“This keeps getting better and better,” Tiffany says, bitting her bottom lip.
“I’m not…” I do up the two buttons on my dress. “This is highly inappropriate. I’m havingdinner.”
“But what’s for dessert?” Tina asks.
“And how much does it cost?” Tiffany adds.
“We’ll book you the room in the Western Suite,” Tina says, typing something on her computer. “It’s pricey, but the Sheriff can pay.”
“What?” I say with my heart pounding. “No. Don’t.”
“Are you ready?” Ryland asks. His smooth masculine voice normally puts me at ease, but I nearly jump two feet in the air when I suddenly hear it behind me.
“Yes,” I say, shooting those strange girls a dirty look before I take his hand and leave. They just stare at me blankly. Weird.
Dinner is amazing and romantic. We get the best table in the house, a romantic little spot beside a fireplace and far from the kitchen. I spend the next two magical hours with Ryland, sitting over candlelight, eating incredible food, and drinking delicious wine.
I feel like I’m in a movie the entire time.
“Tell me something I wouldn’t guess about you,” he says as he swirls his wine glass, those warm brown eyes resting on me.
I grin over the rim of my glass. “I was on the debate team in high school.”
“I would have guessed that,” he says with a laugh. “Let me guess—you were terrifying.”
“Oh, completely. I once made a senior cry during regionals. I was ruthless.”
Ryland grins as he watches me. “What were you debating?”
“If space exploration is worth the cost,” I say, smiling as I remember how I took Chad down in front of an auditorium full of people.
