Page 28 of Stuck with my Mechanic Daddies

It wasn’t an accusation, but it wasn’t exactly a casual question, either.

I waited a beat before answering. “It’s different.”

Lila laughed. “That's a nice way of putting it.”

A third woman pulled up a chair, dark hair framing her face as she settled in. Her eyes flicked toward me with interest, and something about her felt familiar, too, though I couldn’t quite place it.

“Morgan Hayes,” she said. “I think you’ve met my mom. She runs the Medford Inn.”

Ah, yes. She had the same sharp but welcoming energy as her mother.

“I have,” I said, nodding. “She's been great.”

Morgan smirked. “Yeah, she has a way of making people feel at home. Whether they want to or not.”

I huffed out a small laugh, and her smirk turned into a grin.

“If you think Medford’s different now, wait until the summer fair,” she added. “The whole town goes full small-town cliché.”

I shifted in my seat. “I don’t know if I'll still be here by then.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Morgan raised a brow. “No?”

I swallowed. “No, I have… a life elsewhere.”

Lila tilted her head, thoughtful. “Well, while you're here, you might as well have some fun.”

I didn’t respond right away. Because the truth was, Iwashaving fun.

More than I expected. More than I wanted to admit.

Especially when I glanced at Owen, only to find him already looking at me.

And damn it all, I liked the way that felt.

A sharp whistle cut through the noise, and a familiar voice drawled, “Well, well. If it isn’t our bookstore girl, holding court.”

Mason.

I didn’t have to look to know he was grinning, but I did anyway. Sure enough, he was leaning against the table, arms crossed, that lazy smirk firmly in place.

That smirk that reminded me of the other night.

“Don’t let us interrupt, ladies,” he said, flashing a wink. “I just came to see if Aurora needed a bowling coach.”

“I think she's good,” Owen said dryly, shooting his brother a look.

Mason pressed a hand to his chest. “Ouch. That's the thanks I get for offering my services?”

Lila rolled her eyes. “Mason, you're terrible at bowling.”

“Details, Lila. Don’t get caught up in the details.”

I shook my head, fighting a smile. Mason had a way of pulling people into his orbit, like he was born to be the center of attention. I could see why women probably fell at his feet.

But it wasn’t just Mason who made my pulse do stupid things.

---