Page 5 of Matched with the Grumpy Secret Prince

“Something like that,” I reply, glancing at her hand as she adjusts the box. The diamond on her ring finger catches the light, sparkling enough to make me blink.

“They weren’t kidding about the wedding,” I say, nodding toward her hand.

She laughs, lifting her hand to show it off. “What do you think? Ethan did good, didn’t he?”

“I’ll say,” I reply, smiling. “Congratulations, Riley. He’s a lucky guy.”

“Thanks,” she says, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I’m pretty lucky too. However, between you and me, I think the town’s more excited about this wedding than we are. Every time I step outside, someone’s got a new idea for how to make it ‘bigger and better.’”

I laugh. “That’s Bardstown for you. Always ready to throw a party.”

“Tell me about it,” she says, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. “At this rate, I’ll need to build an extension just to store all the wedding gifts people keep dropping off.”

“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The people of Bardstown love you, Riley. You should be used to it by now.”

She laughs, tossing some packing material into the trash. “So, what brings you by today? Don’t tell me you’ve finally decided to renovate that place of yours.”

“Not quite,” I say, scanning the shelves. “Just need a few supplies. Running low on everything—coffee filters, nails, maybe a lightbulb or two.”

“Typical Graham,” she teases, shaking her head. “Can’t let the house fall apart before you get that fancy library contract done.”

“Exactly,” I say with a grin.

She steps out from behind the counter and helps me grab what I need, chatting as we go. Riley’s always been easy to talk to, and even with the wedding looming, she’s the same as ever—down-to-earth and quick with a joke.

As I load the supplies onto the counter, she leans against it, crossing her arms. “So, are you coming to the wedding?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I reply. “The whole town’s buzzing about it already. Feels like Bardstown hasn’t had this much excitement in years.”

“Yeah,” she says, smiling softly. “It’ll be nice to have everyone together. And maybe, for once, I can sit back and enjoy it instead of organizing the whole thing.”

I laugh. “Good luck with that. Something tells me you’ll still be running the show.”

“Probably. But Mia is also involved, so I think it won’t be so hard. Speaking of, she should be here any minute now,” she admits.

Mia is coming here?

I need to make a run for it. Mia is too inquisitive for her own good, and she just makes me feel like my past cannot be well hidden around her.

I grab the last of my supplies from Riley’s counter and toss the bag over my shoulder. “Thanks, Riley. I’ll see you around.”

“Don’t work too hard,” she calls after me with a grin as she turns back to the boxes on the counter.

The bell jingles as I step outside, squinting against the sunlight. The parking lot is almost empty—just a couple of old pickups and the same red car I’ve seen dozens of times.

I freeze.

Mia’s car.

Bright red, freshly waxed, and impossible to miss. The driver’s door is still open, her large leather bag perched on the seat, like she’s just arrived.

My chest tightens. There’s no mistaking it’s her—Bardstown’s human lie detector.

I glance at the hardware bag in my hand, the truck just a few steps away, and then back to the store door. I could make it to my car, but Mia has a way of appearing when you least expect it.

Not today. No way.

I pivot on my heel and head back into the store like it’s a matter of life and death. The bell jingles again, and Riley looks up with a confused smile.

---