Page 33 of One Sweet Match Up

Okay, yes.

But this was Donovan Foster. The man who fired her and truly only cared about himself. Saturday, he’d fully lived up to that reputation. She didn’t believe for one minute that his idea to go into business was motivated by him wanting to help her.

There was no way she’d share a kitchen with him. Yeah, she needed the money, but she’d find it another way.

She pulled on the handle and entered the boutique, greeted by loud dance music. A little over the top for a posh boutique, but she liked it.

“Hey, Zoe!” Will moved from behind the counter, taking the dress from her. She couldn’t help but notice he was looking more casual today in jeans and a black cable sweater.

“Interesting music choice.” She nodded to the ceiling.

“I’m going for a wedding reception atmosphere. I’ve been doing some maintenance in the back and needed a pick-me-up.” He chuckled. “My mom’s classic taste lasted all of five minutes.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t return this to you on Saturday.” After her humiliating runout, she’d dashed back to the Ice Heaven, loaded up her car with the frozen yogurt cups, and dropped them off to the center’s back door, profusely apologizing to Loretta saying she wasn’t feeling well and needed to go lie down.

Then, she hid out in her apartment for the rest of the weekend.

“No problem. Let me hang it back up.” He maneuvered across the boutique and slipped the dress in a nearby rack. “Listen, Zoe. I’m sorry about Saturday.”

Feeling a little warm, she unzipped her coat and glanced around. Will must be experiencing the same dry spell she was because there wasn’t a soul in the boutique. “Sorry about what?”

“Not giving you a heads-up about my last-minute replacement.” He came back with a bottle of champagne. “Care for a drink?”

She smiled. No wonder he didn’t seem to miss his old mechanic gig. “I’m good.” It probably wasn’t a good idea to stay too much longer. It was nearly dark, and the town was about to be blanketed with another round of snow. Nothing like the last time, but she wasn’t taking any chances and planned to be snuggled deep under her covers with a mug of hot chocolate and her Kindle before the first snowflake fell.

“C’mon. Just one.” Will popped the bottle and grabbed two flutes from below the counter. “I hate to drink alone.”

Well, it wasn’t like she had any customers to rush back to. One glass wouldn’t hurt. Then, she’d go back to the Ice Heaven, close up shop, and head home. “Okay, sure.”

Will poured the sparkly wine, handing one to Zoe, clinking his glass to hers. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.”

“If the guys in the auto body shop could see me now.” He tipped up his glass.

She laughed. “Do you miss it?”

“Not really. My brother, Dan, has things pretty much under control.” He maneuvered behind the counter. “So, again, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For Saturday. Donovan and I didn’t know it would upset you when we switched.”

“It’s fine.” She took a long sip, delaying her asking the one question that she feared the answer to but wanted to know it anyway. “Why did you?”

He paused for a beat, then said, “Rachel.”

“Rachel?”

“Yeah. I saw her come in and didn’t know what to do.” He set his glass down on the counter. “I know. Stupid, but I didn’t know she was going to be there. If she saw us getting married—”

“Pretending to get married,” Zoe corrected him.

“I didn’t want to risk her wrath.”

Well, she couldn’t argue with him there. She asked the last question, trying hard not to show that she cared. “So, you convinced Donovan to step in?”

“Didn’t have to.” He gave her a wink. “He was happy to play the part.”

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