Page 7 of Meant for Me (Magnolia Bay #3)

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“I t’s like I’ve never baked a day in my life.

” Zoey drummed her finger on the table she shared with Rosalyn Dupree, the aroma of fresh ground coffee beans wafting from the front of Chug a Mug.

The coffee shop was hopping for a Tuesday afternoon, and judging by the scowl fixed firmly on Miley’s face as she worked the milk frother behind the counter, the brew would be extra good today.

“I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong with all these failed recipes. ”

“Have you asked Elisa to help?” Rosalyn leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her torso. She wore designer workout gear, her long blond hair tied up in a top-knot—per usual after she taught the noon aerial class at Madame Paulette’s ballet studio.

“No, she’s got enough going on with the wedding planning right now.” Zoey shook her head. “I don’t want to bother anyone.”

She hadn’t told Elisa specifically where she was staying yet, either—also on purpose.

Her friend would have way too many questions, or worse yet, try to convince Zoey to come back to the Blue Pirogue.

Which obviously wasn’t good for her and Noah, and Zoey was tired of feeling selfish for being so needy.

“Friends aren’t bothered by friends.” Rosalyn offered her a smile. “But, I know what you mean. Elisa’s plate is pretty full these days.”

“I think my focus is off. I tried an actual recipe last night instead of winging it, and I think that batch of cookies would have been good, but…” Zoey wrinkled her nose and fought back a shudder.

“I accidentally grabbed cumin instead of cinnamon.” She could still taste the remnants of the mistake if she thought about it long enough.

Rosalyn grimaced. “Yikes. To be fair, though, you have a lot on your plate too.”

“That’s true.” Zoey lifted her mug of half-drunk joe. “I just really need to get some income rolling, and I’m not sure how to go about it besides some form of baking.”

“I’m not surprised it’s hard for you to concentrate.” Rosalyn winked as she picked up her teacup. “Especially if there’s a handsome pirate lurking around the kitchen.”

Zoey sprayed her coffee. “A what ?” She swiped her mouth with the back of her hand, half laughing and half gurgling.

“What else would you call a massive, dark, brooding man on a boat?” Rosalyn leaned across the table with a conspiring grin. “Don’t tell me you don’t think Linc is attractive.”

“Well, sure he is. I’m not blind.” Zoey smirked as she wiped another dribble of coffee from the table. “And apparently neither are you.”

“Of course not.” Rosalyn lifted both hands. “But Cade is much more my type.”

“Which type is that? Stylish pretty boy?”

“Exactly.” They shared a grin.

“I’m happy for you two. But it’s not like that with Linc, trust me.” Zoey searched for a way to change the subject without technically changing the subject, before Rosalyn noticed her runaway heartbeat. “I mean, for one, the man must do his laundry like an elf makes shoes.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, in the middle of the night. Like an elf.” Zoey gestured with her napkin. “I’ve been there three days, and I haven’t seen so much as a single sock on the floor.”

Hadn’t seen much of Linc either, for that matter. He’d been working long hours, and most of his evenings were spent at the gym. Besides hearing the shower crank on after she was already in bed for the night, well, she might as well be living alone.

Which was fine, right? She didn’t need companionship, she needed a roof over her head, which Linc was generously providing.

So why did it feel like he was avoiding her?

Rosalyn lifted her tea, pink lipstick staining the rim. “I’m not following.”

“He’s either a secret neat freak, or he’s scared to let me see he’s human.” Zoey frowned. “Wait, scratch that. Linc’s not afraid of anything.”

Maybe he simply regretted her being there.

She knew she’d be in the way to some extent, even though she’d made sure to clean the already-clean kitchen every morning after he left.

Ran the vacuum cleaner too, after finding it stashed in the laundry room closet.

And she’d been sure to keep to his quiet hours, as requested, though she’d skipped the pushups.

Linc was doing her a huge favor, and she had nothing to give back.

Worse yet, nothing to do during the day to combat the fear and anxiety circulating her brain.

The insurance company wouldn’t return her multiple voicemails seeking more details on her case, instead sending a form email stating they’d received her inquiry and, due to “a high volume of inquiries,” they could take up to forty-eight hours to return emails.

It was harder these days to be sunshine by herself, hence her desperate text to Rosalyn to meet her for coffee after the noon class today.

“Maybe he’s just being courteous.” Rosalyn set her cup down, her naturally arched brows furrowed. “You know, making sure you’re comfortable being there.”

Ha. “ Linc ? Courteous?” Zoey shook her head, hair swishing.

“Sometimes I forget you don’t know Linc very well.

He has zero filter. He tells people exactly what he thinks, whether they want to hear it or not.

” She hesitated. Well, that was true with most people.

With her lately, well—she had to make him touch the lamppost about her cookies.

What was that about? Linc had never held back with her before.

Rosalyn nodded. “I’ve witnessed that no-filter dynamic between Linc and Cade. Though to his credit, Linc usually seems right.” She chuckled. “Much to Cade’s dismay.”

“Yeah. I hate that part.” More like missed it. The little gleam in Linc’s eye, the hard-to-tell-if-he-was-joking-or-actually-mad expression, the arrogance—make that raw confidence—that accompanied his matter-of-fact, slightly sarcastic delivery of the truth.

She ran her finger around the rim of her cup. She’d always been jealous of that in Linc. What was it like, being able to say exactly what you thought, without having to worry about being too negative? Without having to worry about what would happen if you stopped being sunshine all the time?

And why had he stopped being that way with her the past several days? Zoey narrowed her eyes. “It’s almost like he’s being too nice.”

“Yeah, I hate when men are considerate…and clean.” Rosalyn grinned. “Such a hardship.”

Zoey laughed. “I just mean because it’s Linc. Like he’s holding back now.” She frowned. “I want him to be himself. I want us to be ourselves .”

She’d actually set a trap to test her theory before she left for the coffee shop that morning. If Linc was holding back with her, then he’d ignore the bait. Though, to be fair, he probably wouldn’t even go home midday to find it, so she might not know for a while.

Rosalyn leaned forward, caught Zoey’s eye. Her gaze softened. “Look, you and Linc must be pretty good friends, or neither of you would have been comfortable with this arrangement.”

“Best friends.” The words flew from Zoey’s lips on autopilot.

And she still believed them, even though they felt slightly less true than they would have several weeks ago.

Before the fire, when Linc held her in the raining ash and smoke.

Before Noah and Elisa got engaged, and Zoey became homeless and unemployed and?—

“Then I’m sure you’ll find your groove.” Rosalyn touched Zoey’s arm. “And hey, if it gets too weird, you’re welcome to come to my parents’ house again.” She winced. “I know Marta can be a little intense about her carpet staying clean, but?—”

“I can’t do that. But I appreciate it.” Zoey squeezed her hand back. “You’ve only been back in Magnolia Bay for several weeks. I’m sure you’re still adjusting to living with your parents and not out of a suitcase, yourself. I don’t want to be a burden.”

To Rosalyn, Elisa, Noah. Linc. To anyone.

That’s why she had to stay upbeat. Her friends had all been through enough the past year with the hurricane restoration, the lack of tourism, family drama, relationship issues…

Rosalyn had been running from the Mafia a month ago, for goodness’ sake.

Zoey didn’t need her friends worrying about her now that their lives had finally ironed out.

“It’s been interesting moving back home, for sure.” Rosalyn twisted her lips to the side. “But I’ll find my own place soon.”

“Unless Cade makes other plans…” Zoey grinned and wiggled her ring finger.

Rosalyn blushed. “ Way too early for that.”

“But?” Zoey raised her eyebrows. “I hear a but .”

Rosalyn’s blush deepened and her smile widened. “But…maybe one day. In the meantime, I look forward to being Cade’s date at Elisa and Noah’s wedding. Dressing up, dancing?—”

“Catching the bouquet?” Zoey winked.

“I think Madame Paulette might body slam me for it.” Rosalyn grinned, pausing to take a sip of tea. “Are you going to the wedding with Linc?”

Zoey’s stomach flipped. “I hadn’t thought about it.” Oh, but now she was. Linc in a suit, long hair slicked back and styled, broad shoulders encased in a gray jacket…

“You’re both in the wedding, right? I know Cade is best man, and Linc is a groomsman.”

“I’m maid of honor.” Zoey nodded. That excused her from needing a date, didn’t it? She released a sigh of relief. Not that Linc would have asked her, or she him.

But good to have that out of the way.

Sudden footsteps sounded. “Girls!” Delia Boudreaux rushed toward their table as fast as her slight, post-hip-surgery limp allowed, her graying hair askew. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Zoey pulled out the vacant chair between her and Rosalyn, frowning. “What’s wrong, Mama D?” Surely not the diner again…

Rosalyn leaned forward in concern as Delia plopped into the seat, breathing hard. “Can we get you anything?” She craned her head toward the front counter, gesturing for Miley’s attention.

“No, no.” Mama D caught Rosalyn’s hand, pressed it back down. “Don’t bother Miley. I’ve heard the weather report is extra cloudy today.”