Page 16 of Matched with the Hollywood Heartthrob (Matched for Love #4)

MIA

T he day is beautiful. The sun streams through the windows of the flower shop, casting golden streaks across the countertops.

The scent of fresh blooms fills the air, mixing with the earthy fragrance of roses, tulips, and lilies.

I should be in my element, doing what I love.

But every time my mind quiets, Jack’s face fills the space—his eyes, the way his lips felt against mine. I can’t shake it.

I pull a stem of daisies from the cooler and arrange them carefully in a vase, my hands moving automatically.

The act of arranging the flowers should be calming, but instead, I feel a strange tension in my chest, a restlessness I can’t seem to get rid of.

That kiss. Why can’t I stop thinking about it?

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to clear my mind, but I only see Jack—his lips, his touch, the weight of the air between us right before it happened.

“I was just thinking about kissing you.”

It might not have seemed like it, but the moment he said those words, my brain stopped, then started pulsing faster than normal. So many thoughts had flitted through my mind, all about why such a kiss would be a mistake and how I should disappear and never return.

But the moment Jack’s lips touched mine, all sense of reasoning stopped, and all I wanted was more. More. More of his kiss. More of his nearness. More. Of everything. If Brody hadn’t interrupted us, I hate to think what could have happened. How did I let myself get so carried away?

“Okay, spill it.”

I open my eyes to find Emma standing at the counter, holding a bag of snacks in one hand and raising an eyebrow at me.

I was so lost in thought I didn’t even hear her come in.

“I’m not thinking about anything,” I say casually, focusing back on the vase in front of me.

Emma doesn’t buy it. She sets the snacks down and steps closer, her gaze narrowing. “You’re lying. You’ve been quiet all day. I don’t need to be a psychiatrist to know when you’re lying, Mia. What’s going on?”

I sigh. “Nothing. Just… busy.”

“Busy thinking about him?” she teases, glancing toward the door. “What, you’ve got Jack on the brain now?”

I freeze. Of course, she knows. How could she not? She’s my best friend, my partner in crime. But I don’t want to talk about Jack right now. I especially don’t want to talk about the kiss. I quickly glance away, pretending to rearrange the flowers with more intensity than necessary.

Emma takes her hand. “Mia? What’s wrong?”

“I’m just overwhelmed,” I answer.

The truth is, the closer it comes to Jack and Denise’s date, the more tension coils in my chest. I planned this date, yes, but thinking about Jack sitting at the table with Denise puts me on edge for some reason. I know I’m acting crazy, but I can’t help it.

“I’ve never seen you like this,” Emma complains. “But you’ve been so pensive since Jack came into town. If there’s something bothering you, you can confide in me.”

I suddenly understand how my friends and family feel whenever I meddle in their affairs. I’m a little frustrated that I’m trying to hide my emotions, but Emma is insisting.

Before I can respond, the bell over the door rings, signaling someone’s entry. I quickly turn, eager to get away from Emma. But the person who steps through the door shocks me more, and my heart does a strange flip in my chest.

Standing in the doorway, smiling like he’s never been away, is Ryan.

I blink and feel Emma freeze beside me. No!

Ryan—my high school sweetheart, the boy who promised me forever, the one I watched walk out of my life all those years ago. His smile is just as I remember—warm and easy, the kind of smile that made me feel safe and like everything would be okay.

My breath catches in my throat. It’s been seven years since he left town, since he chose the city over me. And here he is. Back.

Emma immediately lights up. “Ryan!” she calls, her voice full of excitement. She practically jumps over the counter, enveloping him in a hug like no time has passed.

“My goodness. I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Seven years,” he laughs, his gaze finding mine.

I stand frozen, my heart in my throat, watching them. Ryan’s back?

He steps toward me, and I can’t help the wave of emotions that rush over me. It’s him. I feel like I’m still that seventeen-year-old girl eager for his attention. But we’ve both changed.

“Look at you,” he says with a grin, pulling me into a hug, just like old times. It’s like no years have passed. But they have. So many things have happened since he walked out of my life.

“Hi, Ryan,” I manage to say, pulling away but keeping my hands on his arms. I smile. There’s really no bad blood between us, just painful memories. “It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah, you too,” he says, his voice soft. “I’ve been meaning to come back. Needed a change. Figured it was time.”

I take a step back, still unsure how to process his sudden reappearance. “What brings you back to Bardstown? I thought you were building your career in the city?”

Ryan nods, running a hand through his hair. “I’m moving my private dental practice here. Figured it’s a good place to settle down. I missed the peace of the town. It’s a good change.”

The words feel like a punch to the gut. He’s moving back? After all these years, he’s here. In this small town, where I’ve spent the last seven years building a life without him. I didn’t expect this.

Emma grins, clearly thrilled. “You’re moving back for good?” she asks, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Ryan shrugs casually, his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, for good this time.”

I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. “That’s… that’s great, Ryan.”

I smile again, though this time it feels strained. I’m in a great place now, and I’m okay with Ryan, but to constantly see him around and share the same world with him? I don’t know.

“Well,” he says, glancing at both of us, “I just wanted to stop by and let you know I’m back.” He looks at me again, and a flicker of something in his eyes makes my heart skip. “I’ll be around.”

With a final nod, Ryan turns and heads toward the door. Emma waves, calling after him, “We should grab dinner soon!”

He turns back with a smile. “Definitely. Take care, Mia.”

And just like that, he’s gone. The door chimes softly behind him.

I stand there, unsure of what to feel. Ryan’s back.

It takes a moment for Emma to speak, but when she does, it’s with an air of excitement. “Well, that was unexpected!” she says, her eyes gleaming. “How do you feel about that, Mia?”

I force a laugh, but it’s hollow. “I don’t know. I didn’t expect to cross paths with him again.”

She narrows her eyes. “You’re over him, right? You told me you are.”

I scoff. “So over him. Just a little taken aback is all.”

Before I can respond, my phone rings. I glance down at it, and my heart almost stops when I see Mom .

I answer it, trying to sound normal, but her voice cuts straight to the point. I already know why she’s calling. News spread fast in this town.

“Mia, is it true Ryan’s back in town?” she asks, a little too eagerly. “You should invite him to dinner. I’d love to catch up with him. It’s been forever.”

My family doesn’t know the real reason Ryan and I broke up. They thought it was a mutual understanding.

“Mom,” I groan. “No. That’s not happening. The man has hardly taken a deep breath since being in town, and now you want to invite him over.”

“He knows the family,” Mom insists. “I’m sure he won’t mind. Plus, the poor thing is probably dying for a home-cooked meal.”

“I literally just saw him.” I slide Emma a glance. She’s laughing so hard she almost falls off her chair. “He doesn’t look like he’s dying for anything. He looks good.”

“Oh, he looks good,” Mom gasps. “I knew it, I knew you still liked him! I’ll just go ahead and invite him over then.”

“Mom—”

“Bye, dear!”

I’m stunned for a moment. “What? Mom, no, you don’t?—”

But she’s already gone.

I stare at my phone for a few moments, at a loss for words. Did she really just do that?

“Well, I guess that settles it. You’re having dinner with Ryan. Such a cute family setup.”

“Stop.”

“What? I think it’ll be nice,” she says. “You need someone to get your mind off Jack. And who better to get your mind off one hot guy than another hot guy?” She winks. “I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.”

“Shut up, this is pure trouble,” I groan, hiding my laugh.

The door jingles again, and I glance up, expecting more customers. Instead, it’s Riley, the owner of the town’s hardware store. She steps into the shop, looking as casual as ever—flannel shirt, worn jeans, boots. Her look has always been more tomboyish, but that’s part of her charm.

“Well, well, well,” she says, grinning as she strolls in, “Look at this—two of my favorite ladies in one place.” She pauses, eyeing us both, and with a chuckle, adds, “This feels like a breath of fresh air after spending all day around men and hard tools.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That sounds like the perfect comparison,” I agree, my smile reaching my eyes.

Emma bursts out laughing, too, the sound light. “I can only imagine. It’s good to have a break from the daily grind.”

Riley walks over to the counter, her hands tucked in her pockets, exhaling a satisfied breath.

“I see you’re still up to your usual mischief,” she says to me. “What’s this I hear about an actor being in town? And then Ryan’s back? Seems like this is your season, girl.”

Riley has never been one to engage in small gossip, so I’m surprised she’s showing an interest. “It’s not what you think. It’s just my job, really. And Ryan,” I scoff. “I don’t care about that. The ship sailed a long time ago.”

Her face softens. “So, how’s everything? Ethan and I have been working in our own little corner of Bardstown and haven’t checked in on y’all in a minute.”

I chuckle. “Just keeping busy, Riley. You know how it goes. Same old stuff.”

“Right, same old, same old,” she says, crossing her arms, but her eyes twinkle a little. “And what’s your current book of the month about? Aunt Dotty is so invested. Stopped by this morning, and she forgot to tend to her gardening because she was reading.”

We all burst into laughter. “That’s good to hear. I should start reading, too. I’ll get to it before the next meeting.”

Then Riley changes the subject, her face lighting up. “So, I’m looking for a bouquet—something special. Ethan’s coming back into town today, and I wanted to buy him something to welcome him home. He’s been gone way too long.”

I nod, already mentally running through the flower arrangements in the shop. “You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got plenty of options—you can take a look around.”

She strolls around the aisle and finally returns to the counter with a chrysanthemum bouquet.

“Looks like everyone’s getting hitched these days,” I add casually as I arrange the bouquet. “Seems like everyone is starting families now, and honestly, I love it. Makes me feel like this town is changing in the best way possible.”

Riley grunts, while fighting back a smile.

“It’s changing in the best way possible,” Emma butts in with a playful wink at Riley. “Especially in the romance aspect. Look at me. Look at Riley…”

Riley rolls her eyes. “Now we better do something about Mia.”

“We’re on it,” Emma answers. “Don’t worry. We’ll all gang up on her and matchmake her with someone the same persistent way she did for us.” She turns to Riley. “Right?”

Riley scoffs. “Call me when it’s time to snatch her up and drive her over to the home of the next Prince Charming. Sometimes a little force is welcome.”

“Oh, come on, you two,” I laugh. “I’ll get to it when I’m ready.”

As I bag Riley’s flowers, I think about what she said. Even if my friends gang up on me, who in town would be my perfect match? An image of Ryan pops up in my mind. For a split second, I pause and shove it back down. No.

So what if years have passed? What if we’re now adults with a new perspective on life? What if he looked at me like he wants to hold me in his arms like he used to those years ago? I’ve moved on!

As I wrap up my thoughts, I see Jack, and this time, I shut it down faster than I did with Ryan. Impossible, and that’s all I’ll say about it.