Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

BLAKE

I ask Molly if she wants to ride doubles with me on all the zip-lining runs. I'm secretly hoping she does, while at the same time I'm relieved when she says no. It turns out she's a natural, which is kind of surprising being that she can't walk across a room without tripping over her own feet.

I'm going to have to work overtime to get her and Thor together because the way things stand, I'm in real jeopardy of declaring my interest in her. Which, I remind myself, is not the reason I'm here. I will not screw up my new job before it starts.

It takes two hours from start to finish before our final run is completed. By the time we turn in our gear, I know I need some space from Molly, so I announce to the rest of the group, "Why don't we go our own way for a while and catch up at the buffet tonight?"

Molly looks relieved, but Krista looks disappointed. This gives me an idea how I might be able to push Thor and Molly together. "Would you like to come with me, Krista?" I ask her. "Maybe we can put our swimming suits on and hit the outdoor jacuzzi."

She looks surprised that I've changed my plans to include her. " I'd love that!" Taking my arm, she leads me toward the lodge and away from our zip-lining partners, who I'm hoping will pair up as well.

Looking back at Molly I see anger in her eyes, but I can't engage in that. Instead, I turn around and face front. Then I tell Krista, "You're something of a zip-lining pro."

"I've been about a dozen times," she says, "but I'm no pro. Unlike you, I've never done this any place particularly dangerous."

"Life isn't fun without a little danger though, is it?"

I've been in a near sprint to put some distance between me and Molly, so Krista is practically running to match my stride. As I slow my pace, she says, "My motto has more been along the lines of better safe than sorry."

"If you ever get the chance," I tell her, "you should really try the runs in Santa Teresa, Peru. It's like nothing you've ever experienced."

"That's near Machu Picchu, right?" she asks before saying, "You really are well-traveled for being a barista. What coffee shop do you work at, anyway?"

I haven't gotten that far in creating my false persona, so I ignore her question and tell her, "You fly right over the Sacred Valley, and I swear it feels like God is right there with you."

"That sounds amazing." As we enter the lodge, Krista announces, "I'm on the third floor, where are you?"

"Second," I tell her. "Why don't we meet in the lobby and go from there?"

She smiles brightly. "I'll be about fifteen minutes." And then she's off.

As I watch her go, I realize that I really do enjoy spending time with her. It's just that there's no electric feeling like I have when I'm around Molly. I sound like I'm likening the experience of spending time with her to scooting across a shag rug in wool socks before touching the refrigerator. Zap!

When I get back to my room, I hurry to change into my swimsuit before opening my laptop. On the page I've started for Molly, I write:

Not all trials end in a hanging. (Note to self: Maybe rethink likening dating to execution?) At least that appears to be the case for Polly Anderson. Last night I worried she would be defeated by running into her ex at the first mixer, but today she's back on track and spending time with a successful television producer. I have a feeling things may just work out for Polly, and despite my reservations about this event, I'm happy for her.

So far, Trina Rockwell's approach to matchmaking appears to be less intrusive and more about creating ways for people to converse. I'm not sure if that makes her endeavor different from a singles cruise to Puerto Vallarta, but I suppose time will tell …

After putting on the robe that's hanging in the closet, I reach for my phone and keycard before heading out the door. Krista's sitting in front of the fireplace when I get there. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

She blushes prettily. "I got ready fast. I'm excited to warm up in the hot tub." The coy look she offers indicates that the person accompanying her—me—might have had something to do with it as well.

As we walk toward the elevator that will take us down to the spa area and subsequently outside to the jacuzzi, I ask, "So, what are you looking for in a man?"

She answers easily. "I want someone that I enjoy spending time with. You know, a man who can zipline as well as carry on an interesting conversation." Oh yeah, she's talking about me.

Hoping to lessen her interest, I ask, "Is his career important to you?"

She looks thoughtful. "I hadn't really considered that. I suppose if he makes enough money to pay for his life, that's all that matters."

"Yeah, but you want to make sure he's going to be capable of more than mere survival, don't you?"

"I guess. But dreams are important, too." She takes hold of my arm and squeezes it. "Like your dream of being a novelist. I think that's cool."

" If it happens," I tell her. "What if I'm destined to do nothing more than make coffee for the rest of my life?" I hated this assignment when I got it, but I'm starting to really resent Gillian. I don't want to give women the wrong impression as to why I'm here. Yet the long and short of it is, that's the only impression I can give them if I'm to maintain anonymity so I can write about them.

Unaware of the conflict coursing through me, Krista suggests, "You could always start your own business and become the boss." Releasing my arm, she adds, "I just teach kindergarten. It's not like I'm destined to be the head of a Fortune 500 company."

"That's a refreshing attitude," I tell her while turning left and walking out the double doors that lead to the outside spa area. The jacuzzi has been built against a rugged rock backdrop that gives the illusion it's a natural hot spring in the mountains.

After dropping my robe on a nearby chair, I follow the narrow path that leads toward the entrance. Krista does the same. With her arms wrapped around herself, she shivers. "It's freezing out here!"

"Which is part of the fun. Have you ever done the ice dunk?"

"A hot tub dunk is more my speed."

"Let's do this," I say while submerging myself in water that feels like it's practically boiling. The frigid outside air has a way of making the heat feel much more intense than it really is.

By the time Krista gets in, I spot two other couples approaching who had the same idea we did. One of them is Molly's ex, Kyle. He's with a woman I haven't met yet. The other duo is Olivia, of all people, along with the guy I teased Molly about getting together with. I think his name was Ronald .

As soon as they're within greeting distance, I call out, "Welcome!" Krista looks less than pleased by the interruption.

Kyle says, "Hey, Blake." He gestures toward the woman with him. "This is Heather." That signals the start of introductions being made all around.

Everyone seems nice enough except for Olivia who appears to have taken offense at my very existence. "It's you." Her tone is full of loathing. Glancing at Krista, she adds, "I see you've met someone more to your liking."

Olivia doesn't seem to possess a governor in her brain that keeps unpleasant thoughts from pouring out of her mouth. Krista looks nervous, as I think we all are, so I tell Krista, "Olivia is a pet psychic. Isn't that interesting?"

"It is!" Krista sounds genuinely intrigued. Turning to Olivia, she adds, "What a fascinating job." Olivia grunts in response.

Turning my attention to Kyle, I say, "It looks like you're enjoying yourself." The woman he's with is average height with dark hair and blue eyes. It occurs to me that Kyle might have a type.

While the rest of the group gets to know each other, Kyle leans toward me and asks, "Have you seen Molly?"

"We went zip-lining today," I tell him.

"Did she talk about me?"

"Um, no. Were you expecting her to?"

He shrugs. "I guess not. I just can't stop thinking about her."

"Kyle." I say his name with a cautionary tone. "It might be best if you did."

"You don't think it's possible she'll give me a second chance?"

"You left her for another woman. What do you think?"

He hems and haws for a moment, before saying, "It's just that we already know each other and we get along …"

"You left her," I remind him.

"Are you interested in her for yourself?" he wants to know.

Yes. "No."

"Then do you think you might help me? "

No. "Maybe." I don't for one minute think that Molly is stupid enough to give Kyle a second chance, but what I do think is that this scenario might be interesting for my readers. Empowering even, when they see how Molly shuts Kyle down. Suddenly, I'm kind of looking forward to seeing that for myself.