Page 22 of One Sweet Match Up

“No!” Zoe shook her head. “Definitely not. I’ll take my usual, please.” In five minutes she planned to be nestled in her go-to seat in the back row of the theater with a bucket of buttery popcorn and a Coke.

Donovan sauntered up beside her. “Even though this isn’t a date, we could sit together.”

Zoe parted her lips to say no, but once her eyes met his, that word died in her throat. She turned away and slid her hand into her purse to retrieve her wallet.

Oh, crap. She pulled out her hand. This wasn’t her black leather bag, and there wasn’t anything in it. In her rush to get out of her shop, she’d grabbed the lavender purse. “Caitlin, I’m sorry. I left my wallet back at the Ice Heaven. I’ll go get it.” She spun around, but Donovan reached for her arm.

“I’ve got this.”

“No, that’s not necessary.” The last thing she wanted was to owe Donovan Foster money.

“It’s not a big deal. I don’t want you to miss any of the movie.” He pulled out a couple of bills from his wallet, and a cream-colored notecard fell to the floor.

“You’re still carrying that?” Zoe asked, recognizing it immediately. Why did Donovan have Mary’s card in his wallet? She’d never found out that night what it said. Truth be told, she’d forgotten all about it after they kissed.

“Yeah.” He picked it up and started to slide it back in his wallet, but Caitlin was too quick and snatched it out of his hands. The mom of triplets apparently had some experience being quick with her fingers.

“Is this the card you two found during your snowstorm rendezvous?” Caitlin asked, nudging Donovan’s hip with her own.

Zoe shook her head. Of course, everyone knew that she’d spent the evening in the bakeshop alone with the hunky chef. Maybe instead of her fledging business, she should be worried about her reputation.

Donovan was the first to speak. “Yep, and it’s addressed to me.”

“What?” Zoe stared hard at Donovan, surprised by that big reveal. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you only asked if it was for you, and it wasn’t.” He took it from Caitlin. “Read for yourself,” he said and handed it to Zoe.

Zoe took the card, her hands visibly shaky.

“Want me to do the honors?” Donovan asked.

“No. I can do it.” She took a deep breath and flipped it open.

Donovan, Soup’s up. XX, Mary.

Caitlin came up beside Zoe to see. “‘Soup’s up’? What does that mean?”

“Don’t know.” Donovan laughed. Taking the notecard, he folded it and slid it back in his wallet. “Maybe Mary wants some of my famous cheesy tomato bisque. I can’t really blame her. It is to die for . . . although, I guess she’s already accomplished that.”

Zoe stood, terror freezing her in place. Sure, Donovan could make jokes about a deceased witch, and Caitlin could laugh along with him, but they were used to this Buttermilk Falls former resident corresponding amongst the living. Zoe hadn’t been in the town long enough for ghosts to not completely freak her out.

And yeah, she’d admit it. Right now, she was totally freaked out.

She shoved her hands in her coat pockets, watching Caitlin move around the counter to get their refreshments while Donovan paid for their tickets. At least Mary’s message had nothing to do with her. Donovan could supply the dead woman all the tomato soup in the world for all she cared.

The yummy thought made her stomach growl. That and the full bucket of buttery popcorn Caitlin placed on the counter along with her Coke. “You two have fun.” Caitlin’s wink aimed at Zoe.

Zoe took her popcorn bucket and soda, giving Donovan an obligatory polite acknowledgment for buying her ticket and refreshments. “Thank you. I can pay you back.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He smiled down at her, and damn if her heart didn’t start to skip again.

Stupid heart.

“Thank you.” She started in the direction of the large auditorium—the only one in the old theater.

“I do have something that I’m going to require.”

She stopped in her tracks. Of course, he did. She glanced back. “What?”

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