Like everyone else, she was certain finding the right guy would change his mind.
Not. Going. To. Happen.
At least there’d be coffee. And maybe, if he played his cards right, a few of those chocolate chip cookies she pretended not to save for him.
Sweet & Simple’s bell chimed as Luke pushed through the door, the familiar scent of fresh-baked bread wrapping around him like a warm blanket. The scent always reminded him of Megan. For as long as he could remember, she’d been obsessed with baking the perfect loaf of bread.
What started as a hobby in the kitchen of their childhood home morphed into dreams of owning her own bakery. And she’d actually made it happen. His sister’s bakery bustled with the usual lunch crowd—a mix of regulars occupying worn wooden tables and tourists who came to Maple Hill to see the local artwork adorning exposed brick walls up and down Main Street. Recently, she’d hung smaller pieces around the bakery as an impromptu gallery, allowing visitors to take the local art home with them.
Megan stood behind the counter, her dark-blonde hair escaping its messy bun as she arranged a display of pastries. She glanced up at his entrance, narrowing her eyes. “You’re covered in dirt and sawdust.”
“Good afternoon to you too, favorite sister.” Luke brushed at his jeans, sending a small cloud into the sunlit air.
“Funny, I heard you tell Rachelshewas your favorite last week.” She pointed her pastry tongs at him. “And stop making a mess in my shop. You know where the broom is. Use it.”
He leaned against the counter, snagging a cookie from a nearby tray. “Don’t worry, I will.”
Luke loved getting a rise out of his sister. She was such a perfectionist he was surprised she hadn’t hired someone to walk around behind her customers, sweeping up the crumbs as they fell to the floor.
“Those aren’t—” Megan sighed as he took a bite. “Those are for Mrs. Patterson’s birthday party, you big jerk.”
“She won’t miss one.” He reached for another, but Megan swatted his hand away. “Besides, I spent the morning fixing Mrs. Chen’s porch. I’ve earned a reward.”
“Ah, so that’s why Mom texted me about Dr. Chen from Boston.” Megan’s lips twitched. “Apparently, he’s very successful. And single.”
Luke groaned. “So I’ve heard. Is it possible for those women tonotrally the troops in some sort of mission to get me to the altar?”
“Nope. Small town, big mouths. And it’s kind of sweet how dedicated they are to the cause.” Megan nodded toward the coffee machine. “Your usual?”
“Please.” He settled onto a worn wooden stool, watching as she worked the espresso machine with practiced ease. “And maybe one of those apple turnovers?”
“Those are for?—”
The bell chimed again, cutting off Megan’s protest. Luke turned, cookie halfway to his mouth, and nearly choked. Aaron—or was it Adam?—from last weekend’s bar hookup stood in the doorway, looking equally startled.
“Luke,” Maybe-Aaron said, a flush creeping up his neck. “I didn’t know you lived around here.”
“Born and raised.” Luke forced a smile, mentally cursing the universe. This was exactly why he preferred meeting guys in Afton. “How’s it going?”
“Good, good. Just thought I’d…” He gestured vaguely at the pastry case. “I stop in whenever I’m in the area. I swear, some secret ingredient makes it impossible to drive through without a pit stop to stock up.”
An awkward silence stretched between them. Luke could feel Megan’s curious gaze bouncing between them like a tennis match.
“Right,” Luke said, just as Maybe-Aaron said, “Well…”
They both laughed, the sound strained. Maybe-Aaron ordered his coffee and a dozen treats to go, and Luke pretended to be fascinated by the art showcase from students at the local middle school until the bell chimed his departure.
“So,” Megan drawled, sliding Luke’s coffee across the counter. “Want to tell me about that?”
“Nothing to tell.” Luke took a long sip, savoring the bitter warmth. “Just someone I met at Murphy’s last weekend.”
“And he clearly made quite an impression since you can’t even remember his name.”
“Andrew,” Luke said confidently, then winced at Megan’s raised eyebrow. “Aaron? Adam?”
“You’re hopeless.” She braced her elbows on the counter, fixing him with what he called her “mom look.” “Would it kill youto actually get to know someone before jumping into bed with them?”
“Probably.” He picked at the cookie crumbs on his plate. “Besides, I’m too busy for anything serious. Speaking of which, Keaton’s got that big renovation project starting next week, and?—”
