Page 30 of Small Town Sizzle

Figure out her own life? What does that mean?

I swallow hard. “I didn’t know,” I say quietly. “I mean, I wasn’t here, but… I didn’t know it was like that.”

“Yeah, well, you weren’t exactly reachable,” Ethan says, a touch of bitterness in his tone. “You were off doing your own thing.”

“I know,” I say, not wanting to argue. “I just… didn’t expect any of this.”

Ethan smirks. “So, why are you so curious about Maya? Don’t tell me you’re suddenly interested in PTA meetings and bake sales.”

“I’m not,” I snap, too defensive for my own good. “I was just trying to place her, that’s all.”

“Right.” Ethan crosses his arms, his grin widening. “Because you’re such a history buff when it comes to the people around here.”

Laura chuckles, cutting in before I can retort. “If you’re asking about Maya because you’re interested, just know she’s not the kind of woman to put up with nonsense.”

“I’m not interested,” I say firmly. “I just… didn’t remember Megan having a sister, and it caught me off guard. That’s it.”

“Sure,” Ethan says, dragging out the word. “Whatever you say.”

I roll my eyes and finish my coffee, but the conversation lingers in my mind.

Maya doesn’t fit the mold I thought Megan’s family would. Megs was someone who was terrified of her own shadow and afraid to make people mad at her. She was constantly complaining about her parents not understanding her, but she never mentioned a little sister.

Maya, on the other hand, is sharp, fiercely independent, together, and someone who doesn’t seem to tolerate anyone stepping out of line around her. Maybe that’s why she annoys me so much—she doesn’t fit into any box I can put her in.

As Laura and Ethan start discussing something else, I excuse myself, needing a moment to clear my head. But even as I leave the room, the image of Maya and the questions about her linger, unsettling and oddly compelling.

The sound of hammers and drills echoes through the youth center’s open hall, bouncing off the bare walls. I lean into the beam I’m helping to steady, keeping it in place as one of our guys secures it with heavy-duty screws.

I’m not exactly focused on the task at hand. My eyes keep flicking toward the door at the far end of the hall, the one that leads to the offices and other smaller rooms.

“You good, boss?” one of the workers asks, snapping me back to reality.

“Yeah, fine,” I mutter, adjusting my grip. The beam wobbles slightly, and I tighten my hold. “Just thinking.”

He smirks. “Uh-huh. Thinking about what, exactly?”

I don’t bother answering, mostly because I don’t have a good one.

What am I thinking about? Why am I scanning every face in the building, hoping to catch a glimpse of her? It’s ridiculous. I’m here to work, to help out, not to play some game of Where’s Maya?

Finally, the beam is secured, and I step back, brushing sawdust off my gloves. “I’m taking five,” I announce, heading for the hall without waiting for a response.

I need to stretch my legs and maybe grab some water. But as I wander outside, my steps slow as I walk toward the nearby house, Maya’s office. Two people are in the parking lot, voices drifting out—a woman’s, followed by a deeper, male voice. My stomach twists unexpectedly.

I move closer and see Maya standing with a guy I don’t recognize—dark-haired and tall, with a clean-cut look that immediately rubs me the wrong way. They’re close, their heads tilted toward each other in easy conversation.

As I get closer, Maya makes eye contact with me. The raised eyebrows and irritation on her face show me that she’s not enjoying her conversation. She makes another face, mouthing the wordhelpwhen the guy isn’t looking.

“Maya,” I say, keeping my tone neutral, almost casual. “Got a minute?”

Her eyes soften as she smiles back at me. “Garrett,” she says, her voice steady. “What’s up?”

I nod toward the building. “Just had a question about the fundraiser. Thought you might have some insight.”

She hesitates, glancing at the guy beside her. He’s watching me now, his expression unreadable. After a moment, she stepsaway from him, brushing her hands against her jeans. “Sure. What do you need to know?”

Her hand immediately goes to my arm, and I hesitate for a second as an electric shock rips through me. I force myself to keep my arms on her. She mouthsthank youas the man goes to his BMW.

---