Page 78 of Small Town Sizzle

“I hope it’s because they think we’re a good match and not because Laura’s desperate to keep you home,” she murmurs.

I cock an eyebrow and look back at her questioningly. “It’s because we’re a good match. Nothing else. Don’t get in your head.”

She glances down at her plate, embarrassed, before nodding slowly. “I guess I did without realizing it.”

“Laura asked me what my intentions were with you.”

“Are we in the fifties?” she giggles.

“Similar to what I asked her,” I laugh. “She cares about both of us and wants to see us happy, but she’s also overprotective of you, if that helps.”

“It does, thank you,” she sighs. “This breakfast is incredible, by the way. You have some hidden skills.”

“There’s plenty more where that came from,” I chuckle as I wink back at her.

“I can’t wait to find out.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Maya

The car rolls to a stop in front of my house, and I feel a pang of regret that the drive is over. Garrett kills the engine and turned toward me, his hand draped casually over the steering wheel. His gaze locks with mine, and my body responds.

Welp, there’s a wet spot in his front seat now.

Seriously, how can a man do this to me so effortlessly?

“Thanks for dinner and…the many orgasms,” I tease. “I needed it more than I realized.”

He smirks, leaning a little closer. “Glad I could deliver.” His voice is low, smooth, and sends a shiver racing down my spine.

Before I can respond, he closes the space between us. His lips brush against mine, soft at first, almost testing the waters. But when I don’t pull away—when I lean into him instead—the kiss deepens, his hand cupping the side of my face as he takes his time, making me forget my own name.

By the time he pulls back, I’m breathless, my pulse pounding. His thumb strokes my cheek, and I swear there’s something like pride in his eyes at how thoroughly he’s unraveled me.

“Go inside before I change my mind and keep you in this car all day,” he teases, his voice husky.

Is that a promise? Shit, no! I have responsibilities!

I laugh, my cheeks heating. “Bye, Garrett.”

“Bye, Maya,” he murmurs, his gaze lingering on me as I climb out of the car and head for the door.

I step inside, close the door behind me, and lean back against it, my fingers pressed to my lips. I can still feel the ghost of his kiss, which causes me to grin widely.

It’s like I just got a puppy for Christmas.

Get it together, Maya.

I push off the door. But as I head upstairs, I replay every moment of the evening—how he looked at me, made me laugh, and made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. I’m giddy and can’t stop smiling from ear to ear.

I am in love with this man, and I’ve never felt it like this before.

After a quick shower, I wrap myself in a robe and towel-dry my hair, trying to shake off the distracting thoughts of Garrett. I still have some time before I need to pick up Jazlyn from Laura’s, but my mind refuses to settle.

It’s not just Garrett—it’s the way he’s made me feel something I’ve never felt before. He’s not just charming; he’s thoughtful, kind, and patient in a way that terrifies me. It was so hard to tell him no earlier, to set that boundary about the kids. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to see him integrate into our little world like he’s always belonged there.

Because I’m that certain that he does belong here and that this is forever. I have fallen in love with this man.