Page 57 of Tempting the Heart

“I don’t know what to say.” I shook my head, not wanting to embarrass her.

She was a pretty woman, clearly intelligent, and looking for a little fun.

So, what was my problem?

I was single. Mae and I had established we weren’t going to do anything we’d regret, which meant we weren’t going to do a thing.

Here in front of me, I had a completely available, no-strings-attached option batting her lashes, and all I could think about was the woman across the street who I couldn’t have.

“Is there someone else?” She slid back in her chair and stared at me.

“Not really. Kind of.” I shrugged. “It’s complicated, but I just don’t think I need to bring anyone else down in the weeds with me.”

She giggled and threw her blonde hair over her shoulders. “I think slithering with the weeds could be fun. There’s no rules that way.”

Mae would never toss me one-liners like this, and for that, I was grateful.

That was the thing about Mae. We just fit. She didn’t need to sling flirtatious banter in my direction for me to fill up with desire. Just knowing Mae was near lit me up like a firecracker.

I just wanted Mae.

All of her, because of who she was, not because of what she promised.

“Bethany, I really don’t want to make this awkward between us. You’re beautiful, funny, smart… all the things that should check the boxes, but I’m just not in the right frame of mind.”

Her expression dropped, and she grinned with a roll of her eyes. “Shirley warned me this would happen.”

I scowled. “Shirley? Wow. She’s still here? I went to school with her.”

“Yeah. Shirley mentioned that too. Along with the fact that you had some secret crush on Mae Evans but were too chicken to make a move because you were best friends with her brother.”

“Ah, the Marigold rumor mill.”

“Is it true?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I had a crush on Mae.”

“Do you still?”

Scratching my chin, I looked out at the water as the bartender came up to us.

Bethany glanced up and smiled. “Hey, Rick. Can I get another glass of wine? I’m just walking home, so I might as well enjoy the stroll.”

The man laughed, and I pointed to another Coke for me.

“Rick is so sweet. I’m surprised he hasn’t married one of the Evans sisters. We’re down to two now, right? Audrey and Mae.” She let out a sigh. “It will be a momentous day when they finally get hitched. Then maybe the rest of us won’t be left with scraps.”

I chuckled, spinning the ice in my Coke around. “What do you mean?”

“Those sisters are just like perfection tied up with a pleasant bow. They’re so sweet, beautiful, smart. Even if I wanted to be annoyed with Mae over your crush, I can’t be. They’re just too good of people. You know?”

I nodded slowly, understanding exactly what she meant. “They’re a special family.”

The bartender dropped off another glass of wine and did some mild flirting with Bethany before he left to help at another table.

“The bartender seems cool,” I offered.

“Rick is great. He actually owns this place.” She chuckled. “And been there, done that.”

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