Page 42 of Tinder Embrace
Gwen went on, pretending like he hadn't said anything, keeping her gaze firmly affixed to mine. "Dallas is cute and single. You're not interested?"
Zander pulled a stool from the next table, scraping it loudly across the tile floor. He leaned his chin on his hands, watching me intently as he wedged himself into the spot in between us.
"Watch out, Zander, or I'm going to thinkyou'reinterested in me," I cautioned.
He pouted, his puppy-dog eyes round with reproach. "Can't I be one of the girls, just for tonight?"
Given that Gwen was still refusing to acknowledge his presence, I was going withno.
Her stony silence raised all kinds of new questions for me. While their sign rivalry was a thing of legend in Campfire, Gwen didn't usually give him the cold shoulder in person. She'd even bid on him in the bachelor auction, though she'd been close-lipped about what they'd done on their day together. I considered her mulish expression before shifting my attention to Zander.
He watched Gwen like a hawk. Time to find out if he’d actually been paying attention. Learn if he was worthy.
She had too big a heart to bury her dreams.
She needed a push, and I needed to prove that unrequited love could lead to a happy ending. Maybe not today, but eventually.
Zander wore his heart on his sleeve, but Gwen acted like all his shirts ended at the shoulder seam. Maybe all she needed was a shove into his arms to realize what he was trying to tell her about his feelings.
Tortured metaphors weren’t always wrong.
"All right. You can hang out with us.Ifyou can pass my quiz."
"Hit me." Zander bobbed his head, grinning confidently.
"How does Gwen take her coffee?" I asked.
"Cream, no sugar."
His prompt answer didn't surprise me, but Gwen looked startled. Not that her beverage order was a state secret, but it was one of the little things you only knew about close friends and family. If Zander was going to join us, he'd have to prove himself.
I bit my lip, searching for something harder. "What's Gwen's favorite flower?"
"Easy. Daffodils."
"Wrong."
At least that got a response from Gwen. I arched my brows. Honestly, I thought he'd gotten it right. One of the things I loved about spring was the driveway bordering Sprouts & Sprigs. Gwen had blooms of every variety adorning the paths, and it made a visit feel like walking in sunshine, even on the gloomiest days.
"It's theNarcissus Actaea."
Zander rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure that's Garden Nerd for daffodil."
Gwen huffed. "Fine."
I rubbed my hands together, debating my last question. Did I want to go there? Pushing them together had to start with clearing the air.
"Why is Gwen so snippy with you?" I finally asked.
Both Zander and Gwen stilled, making me regret my nosy question. Clearly, there was history there. But getting either of them to admit to it might be impossible.
Zander drew a design on his pint glass, not meeting my gaze. "I did something unforgiveable in the throes of self-pity after my dad's heart attack," he muttered, not looking at Gwen.
Maybe he should have been watching, because Gwen seemed stricken by his admission.
"I'm not sure exactly what I did, but it must have been really bad," he added softly, gaze focused on his glass like it held the answers to my question.
"You can finish your beer with us," Gwen muttered before I could probe further.
