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“I think you have a better mattress than I do.”

“Sawyer!”

He laughs, and I start to laugh, too. It’s so perfect. Just how I want it to be between us—with a lot more sex.

He passes the sketchbook to me again. “Are you hungry? It’s lunchtime.”

“Oh, I have an idea.” Gathering my things, I catch his hand. “Come with me.”

Burgers n Suds has been in the middle of Harristown for generations, and the old-school frosty mug sign adorned with neon lights is a landmark. It’s not even a real restaurant, just a shack with glass windows and picnic tables on the side. Patrons park and walk to the window to order and either eat on the premises or take the food with them.

“I haven’t been here in ages. Do they still have the best burgers in town?” Sawyer climbing out of my gold Prius makes me grin.

He’s way more suited to the old red Chevy or his newer Silverado, but I’m not complaining.

“You’ll have to let me know. Mr. Comeaux retired a few years back, but they say he left his secret recipe behind.”

“Not so secret anymore?”

We’re walking to the window, and I notice a small cluster of women sitting around one of the picnic tables. My throat tightens when I recognize Beth Hebert and Elizabeth Haynes McMillan among them. To my dismay, they notice me at the same time.

“Mindy! Hey, girl, how’s it going?” Elizabeth rises and walks over to where I’m standing, waiting for Sawyer to fini

sh ordering.

“I’m okay.” I look down, wondering why this woman still has the power to make me feel small.

“What do we have to expect for this year’s poster? I really loved the still life you did last year.”

“Can I get you something?” Sawyer steps up beside me. “Cheeseburger? Fries?”

“I’m not feeling so hungry anymore.” I look up at him, and he frowns.

“Why Sawyer LaGrange, aren’t you just as handsome as always.” Elizabeth actually twirls the side of her hair.

“Hey, Liz.” Sawyer’s voice is dismissive. “How’s Pat doing?”

“Same as always.” She blinks up at him, and I want to kick her in the shins.

First, she’s married, and second, is she really flirting with Sawyer right in front of me?

Not that anyone knows about us…

“You don’t want anything?” He frowns down at me, and I shake my head.

“I’ll just wait in the car.”

“Hey, Mindy!” Beth jogs up beside her friend. “Where’s Deacon?”

She’s always asking about him. “Probably in his office.”

“Is that Sawyer LaGrange you’re with? Lord, I haven’t seen him outside the peach orchard in ages.” She looks at me, and I feel my cheeks heat. “Is something going on between you two?”

“Well, I declare.” Elizabeth looks me up and down. “No wonder you get that peach poster every year. Cozying up with the biggest orchard in the county—”

“It’s not like that at all!” The Peach Festival poster isn’t a big deal, but suggesting I’d use Sawyer to get the job offends me.

Beth shakes her head like it’s a foregone conclusion. “I don’t know why I didn’t put that together before now.”