Page 4 of One Sweet Match Up

“I feel so used,” he said, zipping his jacket all the way up, unable to prevent the bone-chilling air seeping through his skin. Damn, it was cold. He hoped they’d brought in enough firewood.

“I’ll see you soon. Be safe.”

“See you soon.” He clicked off the phone. Well, great. How the hell was he going to get home?

A huge gust of wind slammed into him, knocking off his baseball cap and taking it down the street with him.Dammit!He loved that hat.

He lowered his head, trying to shield his face from the bone-chilling cold with his jacket, and crossed the street for the Buttermilk Tavern. Maybe he’d find someone in there to bum a ride from.

He passed Ralph’s Pizzeria and stopped.

Well, what do we have here?The Ice Heaven’s crystal blue sign lit up the street, signaling it was still open. He let out a sarcastic chuckle. Maybe his soul mate could give him a lift.

Curious to what Zoe Mathews looked like, he walked up to the glass door and peered in.

Holy moly!His breath caught as his gaze landed on easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She moved behind the counter in a light pink sweater, her blond hair falling past her shoulders.

Mesmerized, he watched as she dipped a spoon into a Styrofoam cup and brought it up to her lips. Seconds later, her smile widened, and she fist-pumped the air.

Whatever she’d made, it appeared she was thrilled.

More than thrilled.He cocked his head and took in her jubilation, recognizing exactly what he was witnessing because he’d had it once upon a time.

A spark.

Intrigued, he pulled on the glass door handle. It was time to meet his soul mate.

Oh, hell no.

Zoe Mathews dropped to the ground, hidden behind the counter.

Why was Donovan Foster standing inside her yogurt shop in the middle of a snowstorm?

She got down on all fours and scurried across her shiny white floor over to the counter’s side, taking a cautious peek. Her heart raced at the sight of Donovan shaking snow off his coat. Sitting back on her heels, she steepled her hands together and prayed he would leave.

This moment was bound to happen.

When she moved to Buttermilk Falls last summer, she’d wanted to put her former life in Colorado behind her. Never in a million years did she think she’d be reunited with the man who was the sole reason to why she left in disgrace.

Over the holidays, she’d spotted Donovan walking into Rachel’s flower shop and had stood a safe distance across the street, absolutely mortified to realize the two Fosters were related.

What were the freakin’ odds? In all the small towns in America she could have moved to, she happened to pick the one that Donovan Foster was from to rebuild the career he’d single-handedly destroyed.

She’d kept a low profile shortly after that sighting, relieved to have overheard some chatter at the Spring Curls beauty salon while getting her highlights done that Donovan was only in town for the holidays.

But three weeks later, she’d been sitting alone in the Star Lite diner enjoying Mel’s, infamous BBB Burger—full of blueberries, bacon, and smothered with blue cheese—when Donovan had sauntered in with Rachel. She’d grabbed her purse and put her head down, avoiding eye contact as she scurried out.

“Hello. Is anyone here?”

Oh, God. I’ve got to do something.Zoe took a deep breath and counted to ten. Like it or not, she’d have to get up. It wasn’t like she had any employees. She grabbed onto the counter and hoisted herself up, turning to face him.

Her heart beat fast, and she tried to ignore it, pasting on a smile. Donovan was just as handsome as he was the first time she’d seen him cook in his white coat, black pants, and white hat in his Rocky Top kitchen. The scruff he now sported on his chin only made him sexier.

Her thoughts rewound to the first night she’d met him. Well, not really met him. Stood on her tippy toes in the back row with twelve other budding chefs watching the master at work.

The evening had been memorable on many counts. That night, a national cooking show had taped a segment for the Culinary Channel that spotlighted acclaimed restaurants for their cozy, winter menus.

Zoe had stood proudly in the back, smiling for the camera when not in complete awe at the genius at work.

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