Page 31 of One Sweet Match Up

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Donovan fell backwardonto the queen-size bed and stared up at the bright yellow ceiling. What a disastrous day.

He’d thought there was a chance that Zoe would say no to his idea, but not once did he think that when he said, “I do,” she’d turn white, say “I don’t,” and full-on run out on him.

Yeah, he probably could have waited until after the wedding ceremony role-play to spring his idea on her, but when he saw her walking toward him, looking so beautiful . . .

Well, he wanted to work side by side with her and needed an answer right then and there.

And it really didn’t have anything to do with going into business with her.

He reached for the remote control off the nightstand and flipped on his massive flat screen TV, the only thing in the frilly room that belonged to him. It was the first thing he’d set up when he moved into Rachel’s. If he was going to have to stay here among his twin’s frilly pink comforter and matching pillows, he was going to watch the Culinary Channel and March Madness while doing it.

He fluffed a pillow, lying his head back down. The afternoon train wreck still consuming his thoughts. He should have known better than to catch Zoe off guard. What he should have done was thrown Will out of the kitchen with the jacket and tie.

However . . . He moved a hand over his chest. If he’d done that, he wouldn’t have experienced the sensation of his heart flipping when he saw Zoe, in all her bridal beauty, walking toward him. Damn. A feeling he could definitely get used to.

He placed his hands behind his head, resting his elbows on the pillow. Why had she sprinted on him like that? Sheesh. All she had to do was say no to his proposition.

“Spending your wedding night alone?”

Donovan turned his head to see Rachel crossing the doorway holding two open beer bottles.

“You could say that.” He moved his legs so she could take a seat.

She handed him a beer and slid onto the bed, stretching her legs, her fuzzy white slippers touching the floor. “Today was fun.”

Right. “I’m not sure Zoe felt that way.” He tilted the long neck back. After he finished this one, he’d head into the kitchen for another. Maybe down a six-pack. It was that kind of day.

“What I’m dying to know . . .” Rachel started, tapping his knee. “What prompted you to ask Zoe to go into business in the first place?”

“I don’t know. Dumb idea I guess.” He took a long sip. “I thought it might work. She needs customers, and I need a job. I don’t have many options in this town unless you want to start selling edible flowers in your shop.”

“Not really.” Rachel smiled. “I don’t think you and Zoe working together is necessarily a bad idea, and I’d love to have you across the street from me. I’d put in a good word for you, but I’m not her favorite.”

“Yeah. Thanks for the offer, though.” He couldn’t help but notice his sister seemed to be more chipper than her usual self. “Didyouhave fun today?”

Rachel shrugged a shoulder. “I guess. I mean, I did have to give up my Saturday and all.”

“You didn’t seem to mind when I promoted you.”

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

“C’mon, Rach. We’re seriously going to play this game? Why can’t you admit you’re into Will?”

“Because I’m not.”

He held her stare. From years of experience, he’d win this battle.

“Okay . . . I’ll admit today didn’t suck, but Will’s not the right guy for me.”

“Because you think he belongs with Zoe.” His sister was stubborn, but he’d wear her down and pull the real reason out of her.

“Maybe . . . no . . . it’s just Will’s so . . . I don’t think he’s capable of a relationship.”

“How do you know?” Donovan pulled himself up. He’d never admit it to her, but he kind of missed these talks with his twin. Living in Denver, it had been difficult to schedule long-distance time with her. Sometimes they’d video chat, but with her working days and him nights it was next to impossible.

She leaned back on her elbows, tapping her slippers together. “Things were easy with Adam. We were a couple for so many years, and then we weren’t . . .”

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