2. Aaron
2
AARON
I sit down across from the gorgeous brunette, cursing Wes under my breath for dragging me to this damn speed dating event. I don't belong here, surrounded by all these polished resort types. Give me the solitude of the mountains any day.
"I'm Rena," the woman before me says, flashing a warm smile that makes her brown eyes sparkle. "And you are?"
"Aaron," I grunt, trying not to get lost in those captivating eyes. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, tugging at the collar of this ridiculous button-up shirt Wes made me wear. It's a size too small and I feel like I can barely breathe.
"So, Aaron, what brings you to the speed dating event?" Rena asks, leaning forward with genuine interest.
I shrug, avoiding her gaze. "My brother thought it would be good for me to 'socialize more.' His words, not mine."
Rena laughs, a melodic sound that somehow puts me slightly more at ease despite myself. "Well, I'm glad you came, even if it was under duress. I'm always happy to meet new people."
I nod, not sure how to respond. Small talk has never been my strong suit. Give me a trail to blaze or a cliff to scale any day over this forced socialization.
"What do you like to do for fun?" Rena prompts, undeterred by my lack of verbosity.
"I'm a wilderness guide," I say, finally meeting her eyes. "Spend most of my time outdoors. Hiking, camping, that sort of thing."
Her face lights up. "That sounds amazing! I love being out in nature, but I don't get to do it nearly as often as I'd like. Maybe you could show me some of your favorite spots sometime?"
I blink, taken aback by her forwardness. Is she actually interested in me?
"My office is just off Main Street, next to the old library," I tell her, surprising myself with the information I'm freely sharing. You can sign up for guided hikes there if you're interested."
Rena beams at me, and I feel a strange warmth spreading through my chest. "I'd love that! I'll definitely stop by."
I nod, trying to ignore the unfamiliar flutter in my stomach. I'm not used to people, especially beautiful women, showing genuine interest in my work.
"So, what about you?" I ask, the question tumbling out before I can stop myself. "What do you do when you're not charming strangers at speed dating events?"
She laughs, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm a waitress here at the resort, and I'm also working on my online English degree. I'm hoping to become a writer someday."
"A writer, huh?" I lean back in my chair, intrigued. "What kind of stuff do you write?"
"Oh, a little bit of everything," she says, her eyes sparkling with passion. "Short stories, poetry, even the occasional attempt at a novel. I just love the power of words and how they can transport you to different worlds."
I nod, understanding the appeal of escape all too well. It's why I spend so much time in the wilderness, away from the complications of modern life.
As we continue to talk, I find myself torn between two conflicting emotions. On one hand, the five minutes we have together feels interminable. I'm acutely aware of how out of place I am here, surrounded by the chatter and laughter of the other speed daters. I long for the quiet solitude of the mountains, where I feel most at home.
But on the other hand, as Rena shares more about her dreams and aspirations, I find myself wishing we had more time. There's something about her warmth and enthusiasm that draws me in despite my natural inclination to keep people at a distance.
Before I know it, the bell rings, a jarring sound that interrupts the easy flow of conversation between Rena and me. I feel an unexpected pang of disappointment as I realize our time together has come to an end.
I stand up slowly, reluctant to leave this little bubble of connection we've somehow managed to create. Rena looks up at me, her warm brown eyes tinged with a hint of regret.
"Well, I guess that's our cue," she says, offering me a rueful smile. "It was really great talking to you, Aaron."
"Yeah, you too," I mumble, surprised by how much I mean it. I'm not usually one for social niceties, but something about Rena brings out a different side of me.
As I turn to move to the next table, I feel a sudden urge to say something more, to prolong this moment of connection for just a little longer. But the words stick in my throat, and I settle for an awkward nod instead.
"Maybe I'll see you around?" Rena calls after me, a hopeful note in her voice.
"Yeah, maybe," I reply, glancing back over my shoulder.
I make my way to the next table, but my mind is still back with Rena, replaying our conversation and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her love of writing. I barely register the woman who sits across from me, too preoccupied with thoughts of warm brown eyes and an infectious laugh.
As the next round of speed dating begins, I find myself going through the motions, answering questions on autopilot while my thoughts drift constantly to Rena. I can't shake the feeling that our brief encounter was something special, something worth exploring further.
The rest of the event passes in a blur, and before I know it, I'm standing outside the resort, gulping in the crisp mountain air. I feel a strange mix of relief and disappointment as I head towards my truck, ready to retreat to the solitude of my cabin.