Page 14 of Tempted By the Mountain Man
“What was the best date that you were ever on? I should know what I’m competing against.”
She shifts, looking a little uncomfortable and I open my mouth to try to backtrack but she speaks first.
“Most guys never asked me out,” she admits quietly.
“Then they were idiots.”
She starts to unroll her silverware, avoiding my eyes, but I want her to know that I’m serious.
“You’re gorgeous, Camden. Fucking stunning. If other guys couldn’t see it, then they must be blind or stupid. Either way, their loss is my gain.”
I hold her eyes and she flushes slightly under my gaze.
“Thanks,” she whispers, and I shrug.
“Just telling the truth.”
Nora comes back with our drinks and sets them down in front of us.
“Are you ready to order?”
I nod, placing both of our orders and Camden smiles, happy for me to take the lead here. Once Nora has gone back to the kitchen, the conversation turns to lighter subjects.
“What book are you reading lately?” I ask her.
“I’m actually between reads. I finished my last book on the plane and then I was busy arguing with this guy about staying in my cabin, so I’ve been a little preoccupied to start a new one.”
“The guy sounds like a real catch,” I joke and she laughs.
“Maybe.”
Hope swells inside of me. Could she be softening toward me? Could she want me too?
Nora comes back, our plates in her hands, and I lean back in the booth so that she can set them down in front of us.
“This looks great. Thank you,” Camden says with a sweet smile and I fall a little more in love with her.
She’s such a sweetheart. I’ve been out on a few dates and you can tell a lot about the person by how they treat the waitstaff or other people. Camden is telling me that she’s patient, understanding, and polite. All positives in my book.
We both dig in and we’re quiet as we eat. I finish my plate first and lean back in the booth.
“Should we try to go to the grocery store after this?” Camden asks, pushing her plate toward me and offering me some of her fries.
“We can try. They might be closed already though,” I warn her and she nods.
The storm is still raging outside, and I’m betting that the market in town has long since closed with weather like this.
Camden finishes her food, and I pay the bill. She tries to argue, but I just grab her hand and drag her over to the front door.
We run back to the truck and I hold the door open for her so that she can just climb in.
“You didn’t have to get my door,” she says as I climb behind the wheel.
“I’m a gentleman.”
I start the truck and back out of the parking spot. We drive past the Honey Peak Market but all of the lights are off, so we head back down the mountain to the cabin. It takes almost twice as long to get back home. It’s pitch black outside, the rain putting a glare on the road and everything else the headlights touch.
I park as close to the cabin as I can and we make another run for it into the cabin. Both of us try to shake off the rain as we walk in, flipping on a few lights as we go.
