Page 21 of One Sweet Match Up

Sure, she could admit that the night of the blizzard the food, the conversation, and the kiss hadn’t sucked, but none of it was going to happen again. Not with this pompous ass. Not after the way he treated her in Denver.

Donovan curled his lips, delivering one hell of a sexy smile. “Probably a good business decision.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked. Eyes narrowed, she motioned for him to get out. Sexy or not, she knew a diss when she heard it.

“Just seems a little slow right now.” Donovan took the cue and passed her, pausing to zip up his black leather jacket, his shoulder brushing with hers.

Ignoring the skittles shooting down her arm that his light touch caused, she stepped out into the cold air and pulled her keys out of her coat pocket, shoving one in the lock and turning.

Jerk.

He was right and that sucked. It was no walk in the park to own a frozen yogurt business in the dead of winter in Buttermilk Falls, New York. She probably should have picked a small town in Arizona or somewhere in Southern California.

She raised her head and jutted her chin, determined not to show that he’d rattled her. Her failing shop was none of his business.Be confident, Zoe. Be confident. “Things are picking up. As a matter of fact, I’m going to be catering an event for the senior center on Saturday. Peopledowant frozen yogurt in the winter.”

“Good for you.”

She stepped forward, mustering all of her confidence. So what if she didn’t know yet if she’d actually be catering the event? It was unlikely the thirty-something chef would be there. “Have a good afternoon, Donovan.”

With her perturbed ruffled feathers fully extended, she set course down the street with no desire to look back. “Pompous ass,” she mumbled, letting out a cold breath once she reached the corner. Her gaze rested on the light pole as she waited to cross the street.

Best kiss of her life or not, he was still a jerk.

And what did he know, anyways? Donovan had no clue how hard she worked coming up with her menu and how popular she’d been last year. He wasn’t here for her grand opening where there had been a line halfway down Main Street to taste her frozen yogurt or for the Halloween event she’d thrown only a few months ago where kids couldn’t wait to decorate their frozen cups with ghoulish toppings. Now, that day had been a huge hit.

Sure, she was having a hard time at the moment, but she’d be fine once the temperature rose. She just needed to be frugal.

She crossed the street and stopped in front of the movie theater, thoroughly annoyed. What she needed was to get lost in a half-price matinee for a couple of hours. That would lift her spirits. It always did.

“Catching a flick?”

Her head whipped around, recognizing the familiar voice. “Why are you following me?”

Donovan shrugged and pushed the glass door to the theater open. “I’m not. I’m going here.”

She narrowed her eyes, moving inside. His delicious minty scent now circling her air. There would be no coughing this time, unlike when she took in Will’s cologne. She hurried in before it could intoxicate her. “You’re going to the movies?”

“Yep.”

“In the middle of the day. Don’t you have to be at the bakery?”

“No.”

He unzipped his coat and damn did he look all casual Gap sexy in his V-neck black sweater with white T-shirt underneath. “What? Abby fire you?”

“Sort of. Emma’s coming back this week, and Abby doesn’t need me. I’m officially unemployed.” He nodded toward the concession stand. “If you’d like, I’ll let you buy me nachos. I like mine doused with extra cheese.”

She gave him a long side-glance. It was highly unlikely that seeing a movie had been his intent when he’d followed her down the street.

No matter. It was a big theater. She unbuttoned her coat, taking in the smell of fresh buttery popcorn. One of her favorite things to do was order a large bucket and enjoy the old flicks the theater played on Tuesdays. It reminded her of the times she’d go to the movies with her mom. Donovan’s annoying presence wasn’t going to ruin it.

It was crazy, but sitting by herself in the dark theater, staring up at a black-and-white movie was the only time she didn’t feel alone. She’d made it a point of taking in a matinee every week until she made friends.

Sadly, other than kissing Will at last month’s Holiday Hook Up event, she hadn’t really connected with anyone in Buttermilk Falls, and she certainly didn’t count her brief time with Will as a connection.

Not that the people weren’t friendly, but Abby, Adam, Emma, Josh, Caitlin, Bethany, Bridget, Tom . . . well, they were all close friends with years of history amongst them. Even newcomers Brandon and Jason seemed to seamlessly fit in, probably because Brandon was married to Abby and Jason engaged to Emma.

“Hey, you two.” Caitlin Stevens, the theater owner, greeted them in the main lobby with a wide grin that had all-knowing suspicion written all over it. “Is this a date?”

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