Page 13 of Flare
“Give me a sec and I’ll heat it up.” Maggie scooped the sandwich out of the case and turned to the big panini press standing behind her.
Care packages from Cinnamon + Sugar had basically saved Ward’s life during his first semester at tech school in Boise. The dining hall had been a rude shock to someone raised on his family’s delicious cooking. And there was only so much fast food a guy could take.
Maggie’s overnighted boxes of cookies, cakes, and pastries had been the envy of Ward’s entire dorm.
While his sandwich heated, she propped her hip against the counter.“So, you gonna tell me how it went?”
“Howwhatwent?” Ward asked warily. Had“Matchmaker Maggie” heard about his latest dating debacle yet?
She grimaced.“Rob’s concert. I’m amazed you drove all the way to Spokane just to see his band.”
Ward shrugged, glad that Maggie hadn’t heard about therealreason for his trip… a ShiftMatch date that had fizzled out before they’d even ordered drinks.“I was in the mood for a road trip. Figured Rob could use a familiar face in the audience.”
“Other than his mate and all his dedicated fans?” Maggie teased.“Heard a rumor he fell off the stage. Did he?”
“He didn’t fall, but it was a close call,” Ward said, fighting a smile.“He tried to crowd-surf, but tripped on his amp cord. Rob’s normally really light on his feet, so it was pretty funny watching him flail around for a couple of seconds before he recovered his balance.”
Maggie whooped.“You’re gonna get so much mileage out of that story. You talk to him after?”
“We grabbed burgers. He and Natalie are doing great. They’re thinking about coming back home for Grandma Elle’s big Fourth of July barbecue if the band doesn’t score that gig at the Cascade Jam Summer Music Festival.”
“It’s so great he finally found the right person. But what about you, Eddie?” she said, switching to her matchmaker voice.“You ever gonna bring a girl home, or do I have to set you up myself?”
He rolled his eyes, but it was mostly an act.“Like there’s any single girl around here that I haven’t already dated. Besides, I signed up on ShiftMatch.”
“And you’ve been on how many dates now?” She shook her head.“Your bear is picky.”
“Don’t I know it.” Ward rolled his eyes.“At least I’m trying. Maybe you should worry about Ellie. All she does is work at Dad’s law office.”
His older sister had always been shy and a little socially awkward, but Ward knew she had a good heart and a wicked sense of humor once she warmed up around new people.
Maggie grinned.“I’m working on it.” Then her expression sobered. She dropped her voice, even though they were the only ones in the cafe.“Hey, do you remember Emily Clarke?”
Ward’s chest gave a little squeeze at the mention of her name.
He’d deny it to his dying breath, but the truth was he’d never forgotten Emily. Not for a minute.
Back in his high school days, she’d been the popular senior when he was a nobody junior and so far out of his league it hadn’tbeen funny. Curly blonde hair that looked incredibly soft, lips that he’d dreamed about kissing, and lush curves that would’ve fit perfectly in his arms.
With an effort, he kept his expression bland.“Sure. You guys were friends, right? Didn’t she move away after graduation?”
He’d been devastated when she and her mom abruptly left Bearpaw Ridge right after her high school graduation, but he’d never tell his cousin that.
Maggie nodded.“Yeah. She’s been living in Spokane.”
He’d been just a few miles away from Emily and hadn’t known it.
The panini press beeped, and Maggie turned to retrieve his sandwich. She put it on a plate and slid it across the counter to him.
He’d just taken his first bite when Maggie dropped a bombshell.“I tried connecting you guys last week, just in case you wanted to meet up before or after Rob’s concert.”
His chest squeezed again, but he kept chewing.“What did she say?”
“She blew me off,” Maggie said, to his surprise.“Sent the coldest text I’ve ever gotten. I wonder what I did to piss her off.”
Ward grunted.“Maybe she’s just busy.” He tore off another mouthful of the sandwich. Who knew something with an off-putting name like“kale pesto” could be so tasty?
Maggie shot him a look.“That’s what I thought until I got another text from her about an hour ago.”
