Page 43 of One Sweet Match Up

“Memory?”

“Yeah.”

That question drew out a smile. Not so much for the memory, but Zoe had finally asked about him. “My favorite . . . hmmm.” He thought about that for a second while he added in the mushrooms and goat cheese. “Well, there were many wild parties on that lake during high school. The gang was a bit wilder back then, especially Caitlin and Abby.”

She laughed. “Kids have a way of slowing you down.”

“My favorite memory . . . hands down the time I was eight. My grandpa bought both Rachel and me fishing poles for our birthday. He took us out onto his pier and showed us how to fish. I can still remember how it felt the first time my pole shook.”

“Let me guess.” She rolled her eyes. “You caught one on your first try.”

He turned back and flipped the egg over the mixture. What did that jab mean? Maybe he was too sensitive after Abby’s declaration that he was only interested in perfection. “No. Not at all. I got so excited that I lost my balance and fell into the water. Good thing I’d already learned to swim.”

She tried to stifle a laugh.

“It was funny. You have my permission to laugh.”

“Were you close to your grandparents?” she asked.

“Definitely. Especially my grandma on my dad’s side.” He chuckled. “My Grandma Foster knew how to put me in my place. I miss her. She passed away a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“She was a great lady.” He flipped the omelette to cook on its other side. “How about you? Any relatives still in Denwood?”

She shook her head. “No, not Denwood.”

Donovan detected sadness in her voice.I wonder where her father lived, then. He continued to work on her dinner, finally sliding her omelette onto a plate, added the hash browns and toast, and brought it over, telling her to go ahead and eat while he made one for himself.

In no time, he had his meal and suggested they move to the living room.

“I really like your house,” Zoe said as they made their way to the sofa.

“Rachel’s.”

“Right. It’s cute.”

“Yeah, she and Adam bought it together years ago. When they broke up, she decided to stay here.” He chuckled. “I think she likes being close to the winery next door.”

They continued their light conversation, in which he learned not only did Zoe know about frozen yogurt, but she knew her wine. “We should check out some of the wineries some weekend,” he suggested. “We’ve got a lot of great ones.”

“I’d like that.” Zoe smiled and finished her plate.

Score!He gave himself a mental high five. Would it be a date? He hadn’t mentioned anyone joining them. “Good. We’ll sync up our calendars,” he said, feeling like he just asked a girl to the prom. Majorly excited and a little awkward.

“This was delicious. Thank you.” She pointed to her plate.

“You’re welcome. Did it satisfy your craving?”

Zoe’s cheeks turned red, and damn, she was adorable. “For eggs,” he added. Yep, she was definitely blushing, and he found that hot.

“It was really good,” she admitted.

“I love making breakfast food. Omelettes were one of the first things I learned to cook from my grandma. She was a master in the kitchen, and I’d watch her make these incredible Sunday brunches. Half the town would show up for one of Grandma Foster’s meals.”

“I bet that was something to experience.” Zoe smiled at him and his insides warmed.

“It was. When I was seven, she handed me two eggs one day and said go to it.”

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