Page 67 of One Sweet Match Up

“What the hell, man?”

Donovan felt the hard shove from Will with that question. He steadied himself. “She lied to me. She’s been lying to all of us.”

“Yelling at her isn’t going to solve anything. That’s no way to treat a woman.” Will took off toward the entrance.

“That’s right, go run after her.” Donovan shook his head. “She’s probably your soul mate anyway.”

Will cast him a dirty look, then nodded to Rachel. “Make sure his dumb ass gets home

okay.”

“I will.” She reached for Donovan’s hand. “Come on. I think you need a time-out.”

Since the party was still gathered at the bar, she led him into the kitchen. Once alone, she put her hands on her hips. “What has gotten into you?”

Donovan shook his head, leaning against the long prep table. Why was everyone casting blame his way? Zoe was the imposter. “She lied to me.”

“You didn’t even give her a chance to explain.”

“What’s to explain? What could possibly be her motivation for coming here other than to get some type of revenge?”

“I totally agree.”

He glanced over. “You do?”

“Yeah, totally. Zoe upped and moved to Buttermilk Falls last summer on thechancethat you’d return here . . . I don’t know . . . eight months later so she could ruin you. It makes perfect sense.”

Donovan looked away, biting down on his lip. His sister could shove her sarcasm. “Fine. Don’t believe me. Maybe you’ll believe Mary.” He reached into his back pocket. Pulling out the Joker card, he slapped it on the prep table. “Apparently, the joke’s on me.”

Rachel came up beside him, picking up the card. “What does this have to do with anything?”

“I found it in the old purse tonight.” He let out an aggravated breath. “I thought Mary was trying to help me win Zoe’s heart by leaving items in the bag, but apparently this ghost gets her jollies in playing men for fools. Probably payback for my breaking her blue spoon.” He dropped his head back, pointing up at the ceiling. “You got me good, Mary.”

“New beginnings,” Rachel blurted out, holding up the card in front of him.

“What?”

“Mary wasn’t trying to play you. It’s a sign.”

He had no clue what his sister was talking about, and he really didn’t care. Right now, he needed a drink. A stiff one. “I’m going to the bar.”

“Wait. You don’t get it. This”—she pointed to the flower on the card—“is a white rose. It symbolizes new beginnings.”

“How do you know?”

She gave him a look like he’d asked the stupidest thing ever. “I’m a florist. This”—she handed him the card—“is your new beginning with Zoe. Mary’s telling you you have a clean slate.”

He took the card from her, flicking its edge. He wished what his sister was saying was true, but how could it be? Why did Mary even care about his relationship anyway? “Maybe my new beginning began after I exposed Zoe for the fraud she is.”

“Do you really believe she’s a fraud?” Rachel pressed on before he could answer. “Do you really think she did all of those awful things you accused her of?”

He didn’t want to believe it, but what other explanation was there? “I don’t know. Why would she keep this secret?” He searched his twin’s identical eyes for answers, coming up short.

“I don’t know.” She paused, pointing at the both of them. “But whatwedo know is that Zoe was here way before you even thought about moving home. Unless she can predict the future, it seems like a crazy coincidence.”

She continued, “And you should be happy that fate gave you a second chance to get to know her. You’ve been happy these last two weeks. Like, unbelievably happy. Zoe’s helped you find that purpose you were looking for.” She reached out and touched his arm. “Look, I’m the last one to sign up for the Zoe Mathews fan club, but even I can see how she’s inspired you.”

“But I can’t trust her.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Hell, I don’t even know her.”

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