Page 37 of Pity Present
I’m so hyper-sensitive toward Blake right now that I’m afraid if I talk to him, I’ll either declare my undying love or ask him torun away with me. As such, I do my best to ignore him and I walk over to Krista. “That was amazing!” I tell her.
“How was it riding double with Blake?” I can’t tell if she’s asking out of curiosity or jealousy.
“Oh, him.” I turn and give him a passing glance. “That was okay, but the zip-lining was positively thrilling!”
“I told you you’d love it.” She smiles at me, but her gaze keeps shifting over my shoulder.
Blake walks up behind me and slips his arm around my waist like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Good job, Molly!” he says. “How do you feel?”
I open my mouth to respond, but nothing but “Uhhhh” comes out. Which is probably a good thing because my instinct is to ask him to keep holding onto me and to never let go.
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 reallyarewell-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 myswimsuit 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?”
