Page 47 of Matched with the Grumpy Secret Prince

I nod, my jaw clenching as I focus on the road ahead.

When we pull up to Mia’s house, Sophie unbuckles her seatbelt without a word.

“Thanks for the ride,” she says flatly, opening the door.

“Sophie—”

She pauses, one foot on the pavement, but she doesn’t look back.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, my voice softer this time.

She hesitates before stepping out of the truck, shutting the door behind her without another word.

SOPHIE

Ican’t sleep.

No matter how many times I shift positions—on my side, on my back, curled into a ball—nothing helps. My mind refuses to quiet down, replaying the moment in the flower shop over and over like a movie I can’t turn off.

Graham’s face, inches from mine. His hands on my face, gentle and warm. The way his eyes flickered down to my lips. How my breath caught in my throat, heart hammering in a way it absolutely shouldn’t have.

And then—the crash.

The vase hit the floor, shattering into a hundred jagged pieces.

I exhale sharply, flipping onto my stomach and burying my face in the pillow. That stupid vase. It was as if the universe itself decided to intervene, reminding us that whatever was about to happen shouldn’t happen at all.

And yet, I can’t stop thinking about it.

What would’ve happened if the vase hadn’t fallen? If we hadn’t snapped back to reality? Would he have kissed me? Would I have let him?

I groan, turning my back again and staring up at the ceiling.

This is a problem.

The last thing I should be doing is catching feelings for Graham. We’re supposed to work together, designing the outdoor setup for Ethan and Riley’s wedding, not get caught up in… whatever this is. It was supposed to be simple, clean, and professional.

But no. Of course, it had to become something else. Something complicated.

And the most frustrating part?

Deep down, beneath all my logic and rational thinking, I can feel that it’s already too late. I like him. I don’t want to, I shouldn’t, but I do.

I squeeze my eyes shut, pressing my fingers to my temples.

This is not part of the plan.

I left Bardstown years ago to chase my dreams, to build something for myself. I didn’t come back to fall for a man who keeps his emotions locked up tighter than a vault, who can go from warm to distant in a single heartbeat.

But no matter how much I tell myself this is just a fleeting attraction, something my heart will get over soon enough… I know I’m lying.

Because the truth is, I don’t want to get over it.

The smell of coffee is the only thing keeping me from crawling back into bed.

I drag myself into the kitchen, my socks skidding slightly against the hardwood floor. My body feels heavy, my limbs sluggish from a night of tossing and turning.

Mia is already at the counter, scrolling through her phone with one hand while sipping from her favorite mug with the other. She’s effortlessly put together—hair in a sleek ponytail, blazer perfectly fitted, looking every bit like someone who actually got a full night’s sleep.

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