Page 35 of One Sweet Match Up

She escorted the delivery man outside and pointed in the direction of her shop. He’d have to load them into the front. She might be able to get most of the perishables in her walk-in freezer, but she had no clue what she’d do with the rest.

Will joined her on the curb, rubbing his hands together. “You want some help?”

“No. You go home.” She zipped her coat all the way up and started to leave but stopped. “On second thought, yes. I do need you to do something for me. Text Donovan and tell him to get his butt down to the Ice Heaven now to pick up his items.”

“I’m soglad you’re here.” Abby took the baking sheet from Donovan and placed her mushroom caps in the hot oven.

“Anytime.” Donovan was grateful when Abby called asking for his help. It got him out of the office and away from the lavender purse . . . and its new contents.

He couldn’t resist checking it this morning. When he slid his hand in, sure enough he felt the seasoning and business cards, but weighing its bottom was something entirely new.

He’d discovered two eggs inside.

Two random eggs. He’d also found an old penny.

Did Mary want him to cook her breakfast? He’d charge her more than one cent.

“Happy to assist,” he said to Abby, meaning it. Not only was it a welcome diversion, but it was good to spend the afternoon in the Lakeside Inn’s kitchen assisting Abby in prepping for her catering gig.

Abby tossed over a wink. “And to think you could have been on your honeymoon.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” He really wasn’t surprised that Abby would tease him mercilessly about what went down at the Sweet Match Up. It was fully expected. News that Zoe had run out on him spread like wildfire. He currently couldn’t go anywhere without ladies whispering to one another while tossing sympathetic glances his way.

He sprinkled some parsley over the second batch of mushroom caps, finishing them off. Why was he still dwelling on what happened? It wasn’t like it was a real wedding. Although, when Zoe took off on him, the heavy block of disappointment anchored in his chest had felt real. “What I can’t believe is that it took you two hours to get a jab in.”

Abby came up beside him, fisted her hand, and gave his arm a friendly punch. “It’s called restraint. I told Brandon I’d work on my bluntness this year.”

He chuckled. “That guy is good for you . . .” He paused, adding, “. . . as I’m sure you are for him.”

Abby’s cheeks immediately turned red. “We both have our moments. I’m going to keep him around.”

“Well, I might have enjoyed the inn-owner life if Brandon hadn’t come into the picture.” He liked that he could flirt with his ex and get away with it. She knew it meant nothing. They’d always had a light banter between them even after the breakup.

Abby laughed, taking the mushroom caps from Donovan and slid them into the oven underneath the first sheet. “You and I would have never worked out.”

He knew that. He leaned against the kitchen island in thought. What he didn’t know was why.

They’d fooled around a bit in high school but started dating when he was home for the holidays one year. They’d stayed a long-distance couple while she was in college. She’d even come out to Colorado to see him. They’d always gotten along.

Maybe it was time to ask the question. Perhaps it was the root to why he was still single after all these years. “Why wouldn’t we have worked out?” He picked up a wooden spoon, pantomiming a circle. “Not that I’m stirring anything. I’m just curious. We had a lot of fun together and both like to cook.”

Abby’s hands went to her hips. “Well, for starters, there’s more to a relationship than those two things.”

Yeah, there was, but what? “So, you never thought about a future with me?”

Abby shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe . . . but . . .”

“I lived in Denver,” he finished her sentence.

“Yeah,” she said softly and busied herself collecting the dirty mixing bowls and utensils.

Donovan studied his ex, her silence speaking volumes. If they were meant to be, they could have worked the distance out. She could have moved to Denver after she graduated from college, but instead she broke it off. “It wasn’t the distance, was it?”

Abby moved across the kitchen, setting the bowls in the sink. “Truth?”

“Yes.” He cracked a smile. “Lay it on me.”

She spun around, leaning against the counter, but didn’t say a word.

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