Page 2 of Second Chance Saloon

“But you’re so beautiful,” he blurted.

Jackie’s eyes widened. For a moment, she stared at him. Then, she burst into raucous laughter. “Well, thank you. That’s a problem?”

“I don’t really go out. As in, date.” He dropped his gaze, embarrassment clawing inside his stomach. “Between school and swimming, there’s never been time. I took my lab partner to the prom. We got burgers after.”

Fuck, why was he still talking? Just digging a deeper and deeper hole.

Jackie chuckled, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead. “I’m sure the post-prom burgers were great. But you’re not in high school anymore.” She stepped back, spreading her arms and spinning around. “We’re freshmen in college—it’s time to try some new things. Be big. Bold. And I’d like to start off by going out with you, Mitch from Portland.”

She winked at him and he felt as though the earth moved underneath his feet.

He was in so much trouble, and he hadn’t even found his room yet.

But she was right. College was meant to be all about new experiences. So, what if he had never been on a real date? Maybe it was time. His heart strained against worn reins of everything familiar. He’d spent all this time being safe, but deep down, he craved the excitement. Surely, there had to be more to life than swimming and studying?

Mitch glanced at Jackie again. She looked like joy personified. And she wanted him to ask her out. Bouncy ribbons of a sensation he hadn’t felt before twirled inside his stomach.

“Would you go on a date with me, Jackie?” he asked.

A wide smile spread across her lips. “Took you a while.” She turned on her heel, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

Mitch’s chest squeezed. Damn it, he should’ve asked her right away instead of waiting. What if he never saw her again? What if this was his one chance and he blew it?

When he thought she would walk away, Jackie looked back and fluttered her lashes at him. “I’d love to go out with you, Mitch from Portland.”

CHAPTER TWO

Mitch

Mitch blew out a shaky breath, tugging on his red bow tie. He glanced at his open laptop, where a YouTube how-to video was playing on the screen; it seemed more complicated than any veterinary surgery he’d ever performed. Closing his eyes, he reminded himself of the reason for all this. This was just one day. One stupid bow tie. He could do it.

Or maybe not. Would it be so bad if he skipped wearing it altogether?

Grunting, he pushed his fingers into his dark blond hair and dropped the tie on the laptop.

The wooden floor creaked under his weight as he crept to the tall window. Pulling the burgundy velvet curtain back a bit, he peeked outside at the winter wonderland of White Mountain National Park. A thick layer of fresh snow made the ground shine in the dim sunlight, as though pebbled with diamonds. Paired with the gorgeous frozen lake and white-capped trees, the resort looked like someone had plucked it out from a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Cozy, magical and romantic.

It was the perfect place to start their lives together.

The door to the room flew open and Mitch shuddered at the gust of wind that blustered in.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Mitch Craigton is really getting married,” a familiar voice boomed as a tall, dark-haired man crossed the threshold, wiping his snowy boots on the doormat.

Mitch’s face split into a smile. “Hunter, I didn’t think you’d make it!”

Hunter waved his hand, his gray eyes twinkling in the warm glow of the fire. “I was cutting it close. We were stuck in New York for four hours. But never mind, I’m here now. Ready to fulfill all my best man’s duties.”

Mitch pulled his best friend into a hug and then stepped back, clasping his hand on Hunter’s right shoulder and taking a good look at him.

Hunter was three inches taller than Mitch. He wore jeans, a thick gray woolen coat and a navy scarf. Windswept wet hair framed his face, the skin tinged with pink from the temperature outside, but his wide smile reached his eyes.

A low chuckle rumbled in Mitch’s chest. “You look happy.”

Hunter pushed his hands into his jeans pockets and nodded. “Marriage is treating me well.”

“I still can’t believe you didn’t invite me to the wedding.” Mitch picked up his bow tie again, staring at the crimson silk with frustrated annoyance.