Page 40 of Matched with the Hollywood Heartthrob (Matched for Love #4)

“What was the point?” I ask softly. “Back then, it hurt too much to talk about. And later? I just didn’t want to dig it back up. I was over it.”

She sighs, shaking her head. “Wow. Look who’s regretting that decision now.”

“Well, too late. And not just because of my feelings for Jack, because even before Jack’s situation, I was well over Ryan.”

The bell above the door jingles again and I turn, extremely excited about how fast business is this morning. My smile widens when I see Riley walk in.

“Hi, Riley,” Emma and I chorus.

“Hello, ladies.” She waves, looking cute in her usual jeans, flannel, and boot combo. “I haven’t seen you in ages, Mia.”

“I know. Just been out and about,” I answer. “I’m fully back now. So be prepared to be sick of me.”

Riley laughs. “Can I get… ten bouquets of calla lilies?”

I blink. “What? No!”

Riley blinks right back at me, deadpan. “What?”

Emma laughs under her breath as I stare at Riley like she just asked me to hand over my kidney. “Someone has to tell me what’s going on with calla lilies today. Why is everyone ordering lilies? Is it National Calla Lily Day or something? What’s happening?”

Riley chuckles—a rare sound, soft and surprising. “There’s a big art festival happening today. Here. In Bardstown.”

I frown. “What? How did I not hear anything about it?”

She shrugs. “I dunno. People have been buzzing about it for like a week.”

Emma grins and nudges me with her elbow. “You didn’t hear because you’ve been moping around and missing someone. You weren’t paying attention.”

I let out a breath and shake my head. “You’re right. I’ve been so caught up in my head, I forgot the town even existed.”

Riley doesn’t comment—just watches me with that calm, unreadable expression of hers while I gather the bouquets.

“You really want all ten?” I ask, double-checking.

She nods. “Yeah. I told them I’d help with setup.”

I box the last bouquet and follow her to the door, arms full. “Since when did you become interested in art anyway?”

She shrugs again. “I’m not. But this is one event I don’t want to miss.”

I squint at her, suspicious. “That’s vague.”

She smirks. “Exactly.”

I walk back into the shop, frowning. “Emma, you knew about this art festival?”

“Yep.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why didn’t you mention it?”

She shrugs. “I thought you knew. Besides, I haven’t seen you since you got back. We had more important things to talk about than a festival.”

“Hmm.” I lean against the counter and cross my arms. “Are you going?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she says, grinning. “Sam is going, too.”

My frown deepens. “Sam? Really? That’s… surprising.”

“Exactly.” She gives me a knowing look.

I roll my eyes. “Maybe I’ll show up.”

She lets out a laugh but doesn’t push. Instead, she yawns dramatically and stretches like a cat. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry.”

“And you’re always grumpy when you miss someone,” she says, completely deadpan.

I toss a napkin at her, but she just laughs harder. Minutes later, Emma stands and brushes imaginary lint from her cotton pants. “All right, I’ve got to run. Some clients to check in with before the festival kicks off.”

“Oh.”

She leans over and kisses my cheek. “Try not to overthink, okay? Just… breathe. Everything will be all right.”

I roll my eyes but nod, watching her disappear out the door with her usual graceful steps.

The shop goes quiet for a few moments, and then, as if the universe was just waiting for Emma to leave, the door swings open. And again. And again.

Four more customers walk in.

All ordering the same thing.

Calla lilies.

I swear, if one more person asks for them without an explanation, I might start screaming.

Aunt Dotty walks in with Margot several moments later. Margot is a good friend and a key member of our book club. As I exchange pleasantries with Margot and ask about her sisters, Hazel, Thea, and Juniper, my attention is diverted when Aunt Dotty requests calla lilies.

“What’s with the lilies today?” I ask, playfully frowning at Aunt Dotty, who’s wearing an oversized straw hat and sunglasses indoors.

“Art festival, sweetheart. You haven’t heard?”

“Why’s everyone so interested in this festival? And why calla lilies, they’re my favorite.”

“Maybe they’re everyone’s favorites,” Margot chips in with a giggle.

“No way! I don’t believe that.”

“Why? Calla lilies represent love.” Margot winks. “Maybe we’re celebrating love in Bardstown today.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

Aunt Dotty laughs. “You’ll see soon enough, dear.”

Then she gives me a wink, grabs her bouquet, and walks out with Margot like she just dropped a secret. That in itself is surprising because Aunt Dotty usually stays a few more minutes after her order to talk and fish for new gossip.

Another couple comes in right after. “Calla lilies?” I ask before they can open their mouths.

They nod, grinning like they’re in on something. “Big day in Bardstown,” the man says. “Very special.”

“Okay, but what kind of special?” I try to dig deeper, but they just chuckle and leave me with no answers—only more questions.

By the time I finish tying another ribbon around the tenth bouquet, I realize something unexpected. Why should I worry about the festival? I’m making bank!

Whatever this festival is—cryptic and dramatic as it may be—it’s made today my best sales day in months.

I smile as I wipe down the counter, arms sore from wrapping and arranging. “Keep the orders coming, Bardstown. Just keep buying my flowers while you’re at it.”

An hour later, the door swings open, and I nearly drop the bouquet I’m working on. It’s my mom, out of breath and wide-eyed like she just ran a marathon.

“Lock up,” she says.

I blink. “What?”

“Lock. Up. The mayor’s declared the whole town is at the festival. There’s no one left to buy flowers.”

“Oh, you also knew about the festival?” I screech. “And I didn’t hear anything about that.”

She rolls her eyes in that dramatic way only mothers can. “Darling, you hear nothing when you’re cooped up in this shop of yours. Now grab your things. We’re going.”

I don’t even argue. After the day I’ve had—the strange customers, the calla lily mystery, the secrets in everyone’s eyes—I’m too curious not to.

We walk together, and the second we turn onto Main Street, I feel it.

The entire town is buzzing.

And when we reach the park… I stop in my tracks.

There’s a pathway. Not just any pathway. It’s lined with calla lilies—rows and rows of them—and framed with canvas after canvas of artwork.

Art.

Everywhere.

The whole park is transformed into an outdoor gallery, and everyone—everyone—in Bardstown is here.

I swear I catch a glimpse of Emma and Sam in the crowd. Beside them are Riley and Ethan. When I try to move toward them, my mom holds me back.

“Just go,” she says softly, nudging me toward the flower-lined path.

“Mom, what’s going on?”

She doesn’t answer—just gives me that look. That you’re-about-to-understand-everything look.

Reluctantly, I step onto the path.

That’s when I notice the red carpet. It’s subtle, just peeking beneath the petals, but it’s there—and I’m the only one walking on it.

As I take a few slow steps forward, something catches my eye.

A painting.

Of me.

I freeze.

And then I see another.

And another.

Each piece captures me in a different light—laughing, thinking, arranging flowers in the shop, sitting on my porch, standing in the sunlight with my hair blowing in the wind.

My breath catches. It’s like someone’s been seeing me this whole time.

Really seeing me.

I walk faster now, heart hammering in my chest.

And then—at the end of the aisle—I see him.

Jack.

Standing tall, nervous, hopeful. A giant bouquet of calla lilies in his hands.

My breath leaves my lungs in a gasp.

The crowd around us quiets, parting just enough to let the moment bloom between us.

That’s when I realize the truth.

The town knew.

They all knew.

And they helped him do this.

I cover my mouth with my hand.

Jack smiles—just a little—and my world shifts again.