Page 3 of One Sweet Match Up

None of it really made sense, and truth be told, he’d rather not get caught up in any of it. Leave magic to the pros. “So, it’s not Zoe,” he said to Abby.

“It most certainly could be.” She turned to Adam. “Tell them what you told me last week.”

Adam shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do.” Abby narrowed her eyes, leveling her gaze at Adam.

“Okay, fine. Back off, Hermione.” He turned to Donovan. “I might be outing last kisses when I cast the spell. At least, that’s what Bethany thinks I’m doing.”

“And I think your girlfriend’s right.” Abby nodded her agreement.

“Probably. Maybe it’s the way I chant the incantation. What if I said the spell backward and out loud?”

Donovan listened, thoroughly confused. Was there a magic book or, better yet, a ten-minute YouTube video he could watch to decipher this conversation? “I don’t get it.”

Abby set the mixing spoon aside. “I’ll explain. Adam whipped up some batter for Zoe and Will Jenkins’s name appeared, or rather his first name, Marvin, but that’s only because they’d made out at the Holiday Hook Up event right before Christmas.” She gave Adam a wink. “Don’t worry, Ron Weasley, you can still graduate from Hogwarts.”

“Glad to hear it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to vanish—in my truck. My broom’s in the shop,” Adam joked and slapped Donovan on the back. “It’s nice to have you back, man. Hope you like frozen yogurt.”

Donovan watched his buddy leave. He was glad that even though Adam was no longer dating his sister things between them weren’t weird. His friend definitely had an obvious spring to his step that Donovan suspected had to do with Adam’s recent pairing with Bethany Wilson.

Well, good for him. He liked seeing his friend happy. Plus, he’d never admit it to Rachel, but Adam and Bethany made a better couple. His sister needed someone who could challenge her in ways Adam never did.

He turned back to Abby. “So, is Zoe with Will?” He sort of knew that answer. While he hadn’t yet met the mysterious bachelorette in question, he’d seen Will at his sister’s house a few times over Christmas. Rachel has been messing around with him. She didn’t deny it when Donovan called her out.

When he moved back, the first thing he noticed was that Will was no longer coming around. Rachel had insisted they were done, but he knew his twin in some ways better than he knew himself. Her perpetual bad mood signaled her feelings for the auto body mechanic were far from over.

“I don’t think they’re together.” Abby’s response brought him back into the moment.

“Zoe doesn’t seem to be in to Will from what I’ve heard.”

Donovan cracked a knuckle. Well, that might be good news for his sister. “So, where do I find her?”

“She’s the owner of Ice Heaven, the frozen yogurt shop next to Ralph’s Pizzeria.”

“Ah . . . explains Adam’s comment about liking frozen yogurt.” Eight months out of the year had to be a bit nippy in Buttermilk Falls for frozen yogurt. “Does her business do well here?”

“What Zoe can create is pretty sensational. Wait until you try it. We’ve been talking about a partnership with my catering company for this summer. Everyone in town loves her.” She smirked. “I’ll have to let you taste for yourself.”

“I’ll have to do that.” He smirked back, appreciating Abby’s double entendre. “I should probably get out of here.” He grabbed his apron, walked back into the kitchen, and swapped it on the hook for his jacket. Slipping it on, along with his Colorado Rockies baseball cap, he said goodbye to Abby, Brandon, and the other guys still mingling around.

He couldn’t help letting out a chuckle as he left the bakery. Monday nights—his usual day off back in Colorado—had often involved cooking dinner for a beautiful woman followed by sharing an expensive bottle of red wine in front of his roaring fire and, more often than not, a hot breakfast served in his king-size bed the next morning.

Now he was relying on magical cake batter for the name of a woman who may or may not be his soul mate and going home alone.

The wind whipped through him, and he lowered his head to avoid the cold white flakes smacking his face. Picking up his pace, he walked down the snow-covered sidewalk toward his sister’s flower shop—his ride home while his own car was being repaired.

It only took a couple of minutes to reach his destination. He peered into the dark florist shop and tried to open the door, but it was locked.Where the hell is she?Pulling his phone out of his jacket pocket, he swiped her number. “Rachel, where are you?” he asked when she finally picked up.

“Donovan!” Rachel’s voice came through the phone. “I’m so sorry. I’m already home. I completely forgot you rode in with me. Can Brandon and Abby give you a lift home?”

He glanced down the street to see Brandon’s black SUV taking off in the other direction. The snowflakes were now coming down fast and furious. “It’s okay. I’ll find another way.” If his sister was tucked in for the night, he didn’t want her attempting to drive down her steep hill to pick him up. “You ready to ride out this storm?”

“I’ve got the margarita mix already in the blender,” her voice chirped.

He laughed. “That’s not exactly what I meant. Do you have all the supplies we need in case we’re stuck for a few days?”

“When did you become the responsible twin? If it’ll put your mind at rest, I’ve got the fire going and pulled out the candles and flashlights in case we lose power. There’s bread, milk, and plenty of water in the refrigerator—next to the beer and wine. The freezer and pantry are fully stocked for you to cater all of my meals while we ride out this storm. I’d like to put in a special order for your chicken and dumplings tonight.”

---