"That's nice that you have someone," I said, the words feeling empty in my mouth because I'd never been in a relationship where I'd move in with them and their daughter.What she had with Maddox was special.
"They're everything to me.I adore his daughter, and I love spending time with them.I highly recommend finding that guy that's right for you."
"I just opened the store.I don't have any plans to meet anyone."Except I'd just thought about that the other day, before Maverick took care of me.
She raised a brow."You're staring at Maverick all day, every day, and you aren't having any naughty thoughts?"
My cheeks flushed."He is attractive."
Eve fanned herself with a napkin."Especially with those muscles and tattoos, and he has that whole broody thing going for him."
"He's so closed off and grouchy most of the time."
"I'm sure he'll soften for the right woman," Eve said as she buttered her toast.
"Probably," I agreed, thinking about how concerned he'd been when I was sick.How he'd taken care of me.But it had nothing to do with me per se.He'd do that for anyone who needed help.I wasn't special.
"Natasha reunited with Ford during the inn's renovation, and Hudson and Angela got to know each other better when her pipe burst.I just assumed that we'd have ourselves another little love story at the bookstore."
I shook my head before she even finished speaking."We're total opposites."
Her eyes lit up."Those are the best relationships.When I met Maddox, he was all grumpy, and the fire chief thought I could soften him.It wasn't easy, but he came around for me."
"This is a different situation.We had a little thing in high school, and it ended badly."
Her eyes lit up."Tell me everything."
I leaned close and lowered my voice."You know how you flirt with the bad boy in school?
Her eyes widened."I can't say I've ever experienced that.But continue.This sounds juicy."
I laughed at her reaction despite the familiar pain that I felt when I thought back to that time."We flirted here and there and kissed under the bleachers."I rolled my eyes."So cliché.I know.Then he asked me out, and I was so excited.My first real date.He was going to pick me up in his sports car and take me somewhere.I spent forever deciding what to wear, and then I waited for him to come."
Her face fell."He stood you up?"
"He recently apologized, saying he'd thought we were too different.I told myself I'd never be in that position again and certainly not with the same person."My parents had been particularly caustic that night, making me feel like there was something wrong with me.They hadn't been supportive at all.
"So Maverick isn't the right man for you.But he has one more brother, Morgan," she said with glee.
I shook my head."I'm focused on the store and the renovation.I'll worry about finding someone later."
She frowned."I was so hopeful that our town relationship streak would continue with you two."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but we have a past and not a good one."I didn't want to revisit that time in my life or repeat a mistake.He'd already shown me the kind of man he was.Hadn't he?A voice in my head asked about how he'd taken care of me when I was sick, and he'd apologized for his actions as a teenager.It was something, but I shouldn't discount everything that came before.
"Aspen said something about covering the store when you were sick the other day.She mentioned that Maverick found you and took care of you."
I nodded."He did."
"That sounds like something a nice guy would do."
"It was."
She sighed."If you say he's not for you, then he's not for you.We'll find you someone."
I shook my head."I don't need to find anyone.I'm good on my own."
She waved her hand."I want everyone to find the happiness that I have with Maddox."
