Page 125 of Whispers and Wildfire

“The only crazy thing in there was you.”

“I wasn’t being crazy.”

“You were being obvious. They must have been very wrapped up in each other not to notice you staring at them.”

“You know what this means?”

“No, what?”

“I’m basically a matchmaker.”

“How does that make you a matchmaker?”

“If I hadn’t outbid her for you,” she said, gesturing with her hands, “she wouldn’t have bid on Hank.”

I grinned at her. She was so ridiculous. “I don’t think that makes you a matchmaker.”

“Fine, matchmaker isn’t the right word. But it does mean I’m responsible for getting them together. If they get married, they better invite me to the wedding. I wonder if Jenna has any sisters. She might need a bridesmaid.”

“Somehow I don’t think you’re going to be in the wedding.”

“She and I bonded in the bathroom. We’re basically besties now.”

I laughed. “Okay, Mel. Bridesmaid it is. But that’s not the real question.”

“What is the real question?”

“Is she going to be a bridesmaid in yours?”

Her head whipped around to look at me. “I’m not getting married, so I don’t need a bridesmaid.”

I grinned again. “Of course not. Gotta win that bet.”

Pressing her lips in a smile, she narrowed her eyes but didn’t say anything.

Maybe I was the one who was being crazy, but I was going to win that bet. She was going to get married in less than a year.

And it was going to be to me.

She just didn’t know it yet.

CHAPTER 29

Melanie

Luke setmy iced coffee on the table and took the seat next to me. He scooted my chair closer so our legs were touching, and put his hand on my thigh.

I’d forgotten how much I loved the way he used physical touch. It wasn’t always sexual—although he was excellent in that department as well. Sometimes it was a mix of affectionate and possessive. A way of showing me, and everyone else in the room, that I belonged to him.

I was Luke Haven’s girl.

The Steaming Mug was about half full, with a short line at the counter and a few of the tables filled with chatting customers. It was midmorning on Thursday, and Luke had suggested we slip out for coffee. One of the perks of dating my boss, even if that part was temporary.

He leaned close and pressed a kiss to my temple. “How’s your coffee?”

I took a sip. “Perfect. Although I’m kind of looking forward to cooler weather and cozy cups of hot coffee. Maybe in front of a fire.”

“That does sound good.”

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