Page 63 of The Deal Maker

“Well, that’s great. Welcome. Can I get your name to put on the order? That way we can look you up if anything is wrong.”

“Of course. I’m Maggie Dean.”

The woman’s mouth drops open and she reaches out to take my free hand in hers. “You’re Duke’s scavenger hunt partner. Oh, you’ve been just the best person for him. And you’re beautiful, Maggie. I’m Linda, Duke’s mom.”

Heat rises to my cheeks and I try to smile through my awkwardness. “It’s so nice to meet you, Linda.”

“You too. I’ve heard so much about you. You’re the owner of the candy shop?”

“Co-owner with my cousin. She’s getting married in two days which is why I need the dress.”

“That’s great. I really wish Duke would figure out what he wants in life.”

Something about that sends up my defenses. “I think he’s almost there. He just needs time.”

Linda nods her head a few times and then takes my card and finishes the transaction “He’s a good guy. Direction and grit to stick to something and finish it all the way through would go a long way to helping him.”

“I actually admire his ability to try out different things. I wish I’d done the same when I was younger. Not that I’m that old right now, but how do we know if we’re good at something, orwill be able to put up with forty years doing the same things over and over if we don’t try it?”

Linda looks stunned. She hands me the card and receipt and says, “Well, it was nice meeting you, Maggie. Good luck at the wedding.”

I leave the building feeling nothing but guilt. Should I have said all that to Duke’s mother? I don’t know why I felt the need to protect him so badly. Maybe because he’s not what I thought he would be as a smarmy salesman. He’s just a guy wanting to find something he’s passionate about and live life to the fullest. And I can understand his frustration when everyone thinks they know what’s best for him. All he needs is a little room to breathe and a chance.

That’s all I need too.

I carry the bag outside and take in a breath of the cool air. The sky is overcast, which seems strange this summer. We’ve had mostly humid, sunny days.

“Did you find a dress for the wedding?” a familiar voice says. I do a quarter turn and see Duke walking on the other side of the boardwalk, but he’s crossing over to me, holding Champ on a leash.

I nod, wishing I could run and hide. Instead, my pulse is racing and I’m pretty sure this fresh air is contaminating my lungs.

“I did. You have Champ on a leash?”

Duke grins. “It turns out that this boy escaped from the rescue center. So he is now officially my dog.”

“You adopted him?” I ask, surprised at how quickly that happened.

“Yeah. I figured he could use a home after running wild for a week.”

I swoon a bit, which is a surprise because I have never been great with dogs.

“I’m glad my parents’ shop had something for you. What else do you have to do to get ready for the big day?”

Why is he the most curious person I’ve ever met in my life? And yet, I’m okay with it right now. I’ve missed the relaxed Duke and it seems like he’s back.

“I think this is about it. Hope hired a wedding planner for everything, so I don’t have to do much.” I stop myself before I go further. I don’t need to tell him that I need a date. Which I don’t because I fulfilled the terms of Hope’s agreement. But I also still want him there. He’s like a big comfy blanket and with him around, I would be just fine getting through the wedding and all the memories that come with it.

“That’s cool. Is she doing a centerpiece? Big bowls with goldfish in them?”

I can’t help but laugh at that. “Goldfish at a wedding?”

Duke nods. “I’ve seen it before.”

“Where?”

“At my aunt’s wedding about ten years ago.”

I blink several times, trying to process this. “She just had bowls of water and goldfish swimming around?” He nods and I laugh again. “I’d like to see that.”

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