Page 11 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

She puts her coffee down, opening and closing her mouth several times.

“I know it’s weird to interfere with other people’s relationships, but by being here, we are interfering,” I explain.

“How so?”

“Ellen is going to be concerned about taking care of you and making sure my feelings aren’t hurt. Mike is going to try not to flaunt their budding relationship in front of me.” I grin as I spread my hands. “If we weren’t here, they’d be flirting up a storm at every chance they get.”

Bella nods slowly. “That’s true. And Mike does seem like he’s a kind man. Ellen deserves to have some kindness in her life again.”

“It will help distract her from trying to fix your problems.”

“And give me something to do.” Bella chews her lip as she taps her chin, then nods. “Alright. Let’s do it. Aaron and Bella, Matchmakers at Large.”

I laugh, getting to my feet. I grab my cell phone and look up local events.

“We’ll want to get them out of the cabin and out in the community,” I say as I flip through the options. “We’re going to have to put them on sneaky dates.”

Bella giggles. The sound is light and bell-like. “What’s a sneaky date?”

“It’s when we say the four of us are going out, but you and I bow out, leaving the two of them on their own.” I find an event happening today and click on it. “The town is putting on a scavenger hunt.”

Bella leans in, her warmth practically melting through my shirt. “Oh, yes! Ellen mentioned she wants to hit up the scavenger hunt in town. This is perfect! Wow, we’re already expert matchmakers!” She grins like we just solved world peace instead of planning a date.

I tilt the phone in her direction, distracted by her closeness. “It’s an all-day thing and everyone who completes it will get a ten-dollar gift card to the local grocery store.”

“Fantastic! We can make it a day, and tonight have a picnic on the beach,” Bella suggests. “A fire would be more romantic, but I noticed you don’t have one.”

She leans in a little closer, her hair brushing my lip.

I pull away and close my phone. “Sounds great to me. I’ll be in charge of drinks and sides if you’ll take the main meal.”

Bella grins at me. “Sounds like a plan.”

She gathers her sketchbook.

“Are those your new designs?” I ask, not wanting her to leave just yet.

She clutches it to her chest defensively. “Um, yes.”

“Can I see them?”

Bella shakes her head emphatically. “Absolutely not! They’re not ready.”

“Oh. Okay.” I grab my coffee again. “Maybe—”

But she’s already gone.

Chapter five

Bella

The library is hosting the scavenger hunt, so we head there to grab the rules. With Castleton being so small, the four of us agree to stroll through town as we search for clues.

“This is so exciting,” Ellen gushes, pouring over her piece of paper. “I haven’t done a scavenger hunt in years. Okay, let’s see. A statue of a fish.”

Mike leans in close to her. “I think I saw something that in front of the sporting goods store.”

They trail off a few feet in front of Aaron and me. The two of them look just a happy couple, standing with their heads nearly touching.

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