Page 4 of Wedding Season
“I appreciate you taking care of me,” Mariella told the bakery owner as she took the bag.
“Actually, you two have a work ethic in common.” Mary Ellen’s gentle, maternal gaze switched between Mariella and Alex. “I drove by the old mill last night on my way home from book club. It was after ten, and I saw your car in the parking lot. It had been there on my way to work as well. Either you’ve moved in or you’re burning the candle at both ends.”
Alex blinked. He’d been in Magnolia for several months now but still wasn’t used to the way everyone in town seemed to know each other’s business or how people cared about their neighbors.
“Maybe you need a couple of energy bars as well,” Mary Ellen suggested.
“I’m fine,” Alex said automatically. As if fine was the best he could expect. “There’s a lot to take care of with the company’s move to Magnolia. I don’t mind the hours.”
“You still need to rest.” Mary Ellen patted his shoulder. “I’m glad you’ve hired Heather. She deserves a chance, and I think she’ll be able to make sure you don’t burn out.”
“Yeah, she’s great.” Alex flicked a glance at the door. “I should go.”
“Me, too,” Mariella said. “Not with you,” she quickly amended with another glare at Alex, earning a chuckle from Mary Ellen.
“I’m going to be watching out for both of you,” Mary Ellen said before heading back to the counter.
Alex followed Mariella out onto the sidewalk, where a gentle breeze blew her blond hair away from her face. The scent of citrus and whatever lotion or soap she used curled around him, nearly making his knees go weak.
He needed to get a handle on his reaction to her and remember that they were enemies.
“Who’s Heather?” she asked as she turned to face him, looking angrier than ever.
He forced his lips not to curve into a smile. Mariella clearly hated her curiosity when it came to him as much as he detested his own in relation to her. He liked having an effect on her. “My new assistant. She moved to town a few weeks ago and worked at the bakery but has an interest in fashion so was looking for a foot in the door at the Fit Collective. Mary Ellen asked if I’d do her a favor and hire the kid. She’s young—just starting college in the fall—but really sharp.”
“Some small-town version ofThe Devil Wears Prada?” She gave him a dismissive once-over. “Or Levi’s, in this case.”
Alex didn’t bother to hide his grin. “I’m plenty happy to have traded Brooks Brothers for clothes I can buy at the local hardware store.” He let his gaze wander from her cashmere sweater to the leather capris she wore. “Nice shoes, by the way.”
“You still don’t belong here.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and he commanded himself not to notice her body, perfect as it was.
“That makes two of us, and yet here we are.”
“I was here first,” she muttered. He’d heard the argument before, but it didn’t sway him.
“You’re not running me off, Mariella. I needed a fresh start, and this is the place I’ve picked for my home.”
“My plan was to leave the past behind me. You are a physical reminder of so many mistakes I’ve made.”
“I can’t say that upsets me too much,” he lied. It didn’t make sense, but he hated that he made her so uncomfortable. Hated even more that sometimes he’d purposely drive by her shop to get a glimpse of her through the picture window. Talk about a glutton for punishment.
She let out a low growl. “You are an infuriating man. Stubborn and callous. I don’t even know if you have a heart.”
“Funny.” He kept his voice steady even as memories flooded him, making his head pound. “That’s the rationale Amber gave me for why she cheated with your fiancé. My lack of emotions pushed her into his arms. What was his excuse?”
She looked out at the street for nearly a minute, and Alex wondered if she was even going to answer. He followed her gaze to the park across the street, situated in the center of the town. There were kids at the playground and several families walking dogs on the path that circled the perimeter. Magnolia was the perfect place to raise a family.
If a person had the heart to be that kind of a man—the type who married the woman he loved and set out to be a good husband and father. Alex wasn’t cut out for a family, but he liked it in the small coastal town just the same.
“I was too committed to my job,” she said suddenly and so quietly he almost missed it.
“Ironic since it was your job that introduced him to Amber.”
“Yeah.” She made a face. “This is what I’m talking about, Alex. A past I don’t want to revisit.”
“Then stay away from me, Mariella,” he advised. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
“Then maybe I will,” she said and walked away.
