Page 30 of Simply Yours

“Because people are listening.”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes.“So? Let ’em listen. They should be buying your bread and then getting in line for the kissing booth—where you should be puckering up.”

Her frustration boiled over, making her voice sharper than she intended.“Why are you doing this to me? Why do you even care?”

Matthew’s playful grin softened for just a moment, sincerity flickering beneath the mischief.“I’m doing thisbecauseI care…”

Her heart twisted at that, but she shook her head, refusing to let him get away with it.“No, you don’t, because if you did, you’d drop it and let the matter rest.”

He heaved an exaggerated sigh, then extended the bread toward her again.“Sell me another loaf.”

Caitlin stared at him, utterly unimpressed.“No. I ought to refund you for the first one, but I’m too stubborn.”

Matthew smirked.

“Youarestubborn.”

She crossed her arms.

“Fine.”

“Fine.” His eyes danced with amusement.

They stood there, locked in a ridiculous staring contest, until his smirk deepened.“You’re halfway cute when you get mad—in a weird, sisterly way.”

She made a face.“You’re the weird one.”

Matthew gasped dramatically, clutching at his chest.“It’s a shame you don’t make my toes curl because I really like you and would do anything for ya, Caitlin.”

A pang of something—gratitude, affection, maybe a bit of sadness—settled in her stomach.“We both know fate has a sick sense of humor, and it was like kissing a potato when we kissed.”

Matthew perked up.“Mmm… potatoes.”

A beat of silence stretched between them, and then, as if choreographed, they both burst into laughter. The kind that made their stomachs ache, the kind that earned them more than a few puzzled looks from passing festival-goers.

Caitlin wiped at her eyes, still chuckling.“You know I mean this in the most platonic way, but I really love you, Matthew.”

He beamed, leaning forward.“I love you too, Caitlin—in the most platonic way ever.”

“Best friends, always.”

Without thinking, she leaned across the table, and he met her halfway, wrapping her in a warm, solid hug. And for a moment, everything felt simple. Easy. Right. Because Matthew was a light in her life, an anchor, the person she could count on no matter what. He was the best person ever and had the most wonderful outlook on the world with a carefree sense of joy that seemed to call to others – and it was true. Shelovedhim with her entire being,but as a friend.

Now, Matthew's brother?

…Oh mannnn.

Forgetsparks—Jason couldincineratewith a single glance. He radiated heat, that slow-burning kind that smoldered beneath the surface, waiting to ignite at just the right moment. And that was what had been missing with Matthew.

She had tried—oh, how she had tried—to convince herself otherwise. Matthew had been sweet, kind, and predictable. But Jason? He could flash a smile, and she’d hand over a kidney without hesitation. No questions asked. And wasn’t that just the most humiliating realization of all? Because no matter how much she might have built him up in her head, he wasn’t interested.

Not in her.

That sting was still fresh, still raw, and as Matthew stood before her, the weight of that knowledge pressed against her ribs, making it hard to breathe.

"Don’t push things," Caitlin blurted out suddenly, hugging Matthew tight, as if she could squeeze the words into his stubborn brain. "Don’t push things or try to set me up with him because it won’t work."

Matthew leaned back, his brows furrowing. "Did you find someone else?"

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