Page 63 of Hoax and Kisses
Matt dips his chin. “He’s planning a week-long expedition this year, with the help of Oliver and his girlfriend, Charlee. They’re taking the ninth graders from Pine Falls’ school on a scientific research trip to investigate soil quality in the Great Bear Rainforest. They’ll study how climate change is impacting the habitat of many species there. Coop offered to host the fundraiser for the trip here.”
“It’s gonna be a great night,” Cooper chimes in from where he’s setting a floral arrangement on a table. “We’re gonna raise a ton of money. You know,” he says, waggling his brows at Matt, “Patty is excited about it.”
Matt responds with a groan.
Frowning, I hammer the next nail. “Patty?”
“The lady who owns the hair salon.”
“Oh.” I straighten, still confused. “Why would she be excited?”
Matt pinches the bridge of his nose and huffs. “No reason.”
“You’re gonna have some competition tonight, Zoey,” Cooper says. “Hope you don’t mind a little fight.”
I whirl on him. “What? Why?”
“I’ll fill you in later,” Matt grumbles.
I drop the subject at the sound of his annoyed voice, and we continue to work on the stage.
“Thanks again for breakfast this morning,” he says, glancing at me as Cooper disappears toward the truck to retrieve another arrangement.
And once more, it feels like he’s saying thank you for more than just the pastries.
“Don’t worry about it.” I focus my attention on the next nail, ignoring the warmth that spreads through me. “I had to talk to Mia anyway. Figured I’d drop off a little treat for you guys on my way back.”
It’s not a complete lie. I did need to see Mia. But yeah, part of me wanted to do something nice for him, but showing him I care makes me want to barf.
He hums. “It was still a sweet gesture. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.” I look back down at the nail and hit it with the hammer.
Once we finish the stage, the venue is finally ready. Cooper gets the beers out, and for a moment, we’re quiet, each of us taking a well-deserved swig.
“Oh, this is good.” Matt tilts the bottle to his mouth again.
Cooper chuckles and follows his lead. “Figured a blonde would be the perfect choice after all that sweating. But hey, seems like brunettes might be more your style.”
I flush and quickly change the subject. “I can’t believe we did all this.” I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand, taking in all our hard work.
Cooper even strung lights along the wooden walls, adding a cozy touch to the atmosphere.
“You did great.” Matt surveys me, a flicker of pride shining in his eyes. His gaze drifts up to my forehead and the corner of his mouth lifts. “You and I need a good shower if we’re going to look presentable tonight.”
“I brought a change of clothes, but I didn’t think I’d need a shower.” I scrunch up my nose. “Do we have time to go back to the cabin?”
Matt pulls out his phone and checks the time. “Shit. Doesn’t seem like it. The event starts in an hour.”
My shoulders slump a little. Oh well. Surely there’s a sink around here somewhere. I can at least wash my face and rinse my armpits. Though seeing how catastrophic my first impression on the town was, it would’ve been nice to freshen up properly so I could redeem myself.
“You guys can use my bathroom,” Cooper says. “There’s only one, but it shouldn’t be an issue, right?”
Matt and I exchange a silent look. We have no good excuse to say no.
But the mere idea of being locked in a small room with this man while he showers on the other side of a flimsy curtain is doing things to long-dormant corners of my body. Corners I’d rather not wake up,thankyouverymuch.
I don’t want to think about him naked, lathering up—while the shower stream drenches his long hair and rinses the dirt off his body—but I also can’tnotthink about it. And by the way Matt’s pupils have dilated, I’d say his mind has wandered in a similar direction.
