Page 12 of The Mountain Man's Paradise
I freeze. “What?”
“Come home with me.”
I stare at him, waiting for the smile that says he’s joking. It never comes. He sits up onto the edge of the bed, looking completely serious.
“You can’t possibly mean that,” I say, stunned.
“I do.”
“Barrett.”
“Rosalyn.”
My heart stumbles. I force out a laugh because the alternative is taking him seriously, and that feels too enormous. “Do you always ask women to come see your mountain after knowing them for two days?”
“I’ve never asked anyone.”
“Exactly.”
“So come.”
I shake my head because it’s the only response I can manage. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Is that a no?”
“It’s a…I mean…” I laugh. “Jesus. I don’t know.”
He stands and closes the distance between us. His fingers move beneath my chin, tipping my face up to his. “Promise me you’ll think about it.”
I nod, as if I’ll be able to think about anything else.
The farewell brunch passes in a blur. Everyone is tired and still glowing from yesterday’s wedding. Noah and Mindy look impossibly happy, and seeing them together makes me ache for a happy ending like that myself.
Barrett sits next to me. We don’t talk much because other people keep interrupting, but every time our eyes meet, the rest of the table feels like it fades away.
Eventually Mindy catches me alone while everyone starts saying their goodbyes.
“So,” she says with a knowing smile. “You and Barrett.”
I groan quietly. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to anyone with functioning eyesight.”
I cover my face. “I wasn’t planning any of this.”
“I know.”
“I’ve completely lost my mind.”
“I don’t think you have.”
I lower my hands. “He asked me to go home with him.”
Mindy blinks. “He what?”
“He just…said it. Completely seriously.”
“For how long?”
