Page 19 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

Zach’s mom, Anita, was there, deep in conversation with the ladies from the bakery, while Mrs. Humphrey was laughing about something Mr. Alders from the hardware store had just said.

Their table was already half-filled with drinks and plates of appetizers, with empty seats waiting for their various dates to arrive.

Good thing they’d claimed their spots early.

There was something about the tavern on a Friday night. Right now, it was packed with everyone from families loading up on pizza to singles meeting up at the bar and everything in between.

Kids stood in front of the kitchen’s glass barrier, their hands pressed to the glass, watching the chef slide pizzas into the red-brick oven with a long wooden paddle.

The fire flared with every pizza, lighting up their faces as much as the exposed brick walls.

A guitar player sat in the corner, his voice almost lost against the current of conversation.

Madison walked forward, feeling the uneven cobblestone floor beneath her feet. While it might have added to the old-world charm, Madison knew from experience it became an obstacle course after a few cocktails. She’d have to keep that in mind with her boots—low heel or not.

She tried to take in the warmth of the place, the flow of conversation, the way people called out to each other. But as soon as her eyes drifted toward the pool tables, the memories came rushing back.

The last time she’d walked into this bar, she’d come to surprise Zach and found him flirting with another woman. On their anniversary.

The bastard.

“Hey! You made it.” Liam’s voice jolted her back, and she managed a smile as he gave her a one-armed hug. His other hand held a cold bottle of beer.

“Don’t sound so surprised,” Madison said, forcing her voice to sound light.

Liam leaned in slightly. “He’s over at the bar if you’re looking for him.”

Madison raised a brow, feigning innocence. “I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

Still, Madison’s eyes couldn’t help but drift toward the bar top, where a familiar head of sandy-blonde hair and a worn red flannel shirt caught her attention. Zach leaned casually against the bar like he belonged there. He does belong here , she thought. I’m the outsider.

Madison tried to look away, but her gaze kept returning—drawn, despite herself, to the blue-eyed blonde chatting him up, just like all those years ago.

The woman kept playfully pawing at Zach, trying to get her hands on him any way she could.

To be fair, he seemed rather distracted himself, looking off into the distance, only catching part of the conversation.

But the woman was definitely interested.

Madison smoothed her expression, not wanting to be caught shooting daggers their way. Her insides were another story. Madison’s stomach twisted into a knot that she had to fight to unwind. You have no claim to him now. It shouldn’t matter who’s talking to him. And yet?—

“Welcome to the wildest night in Maple Falls,” Emily announced, looping her arm through hers and leading her to their high-top.

Madison smiled, welcoming the pull from her thoughts. “This town doesn’t exactly do wild.”

“Oh, just wait until the cinnamon whiskey starts flowing.” Emily laughed. “Your gram is the one that usually starts it.”

“I can believe that,” Madison said, looking back over toward the table of seniors. Gram already had a drink in front of her.

It took Madison all of two minutes to realize she had walked straight into a high school reunion. It seemed like everyone from their old friendship group had come out to celebrate, including ones like Zoe, who Madison didn’t think were back in town.

“Madison, so good to see you.” Zoe came around the table and squeezed Madison tight.

“Zoe? What are you doing here?” Madison hadn’t seen Zoe in years. Last she heard, she was working for the National Park Service somewhere in the Appalachians.

“Moved back about a year now. I took over Mom’s flower shop, Cherry Crush,” Zoe told her.

“Good for you.” Madison nodded. Zoe had always loved the outdoors, flowers, plants, exploring.

“Ope, Mrs. C. is calling me over. I’ll catch up with you later. Welcome home!” Zoe waved and walked away.

Madison’s heart squeezed tight. Was this still her home? Or was she just a visitor now, someone who had traded small-town roots for big-city dreams and lost her place in the process?

“Hey! I didn’t know you were coming out tonight. We could’ve walked down together,” Kit said, sidling up next to her as if they were long-time friends. She wore a green and gold beret perched on her head that matched her gold loop earrings, creating a style that was unique to Kit.

Madison laughed. It shouldn’t surprise her that Kit fit right in. She seemed to have made fast friends with the entire town already. And if Kit could do it, Madison could too. She looked away, drawn back to the bar again, and Kit’s gaze followed.

“Ohh, who’s the hottie we have our eyes on?” Kit lifted up on her tiptoes. “Wait, is that Zach?” She peered through the crowd. “Hey, now, what’s the story there? You two have history, huh?” She bumped her hip into Madison’s.

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Madison said a little too quickly.

“Don’t let her fool you; she knows exactly what you’re talking about. She just won’t admit it,” Liam said, suddenly appearing at their table.

Madison shot him a glare, but he only smirked. “What can I get you to drink?”

“I thought we were supposed to be buying—it is your birthday, after all,” Madison pointed out.

“True, true. I’d bet you’d love an excuse to saddle up at the bar right now,” Liam teased.

Madison rolled her eyes. “I’ll take an Old Fashioned.”

Liam turned toward Kit. “And for you?”

“Tequila on the rocks,” she said without hesitation.

Liam’s eyebrows shot up. “Okay, I see how it’s gonna be tonight.” He grinned.

“I am celebrating a new job, after all,” Kit said, flashing a broad smile at Madison.

“Is that so?” Liam looked to Madison.

“That, I will gladly raise a glass to,” Madison replied.

She still couldn’t believe how many people she recognized in the tavern—and how easily they fell into conversation. It was as if no time had passed. Old friends asked about her life in New York City, whether it was really as hectic as it looked on TV, and if she had ever been to Times Square.

“I don’t know,” Zoe said, shaking her head. “I got lost on the subway once. Scared me to death.”

“It’s not that bad, trust me,” Madison said. “Once you get the hang of it, you learn to ignore people mostly and just do your own thing.”

The conversation drifted to high school memories—like the time Zoe laughed so hard that chocolate milk came out of her nose, or when Liam danced to “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” in the talent show.

All the while, Zach remained cornered at the bar, sleeves rolled up, forearms flexed, hand wrapped around his tumbler like he owned the room. He looked a hell of a lot sexier than was fair.

Madison couldn’t stop her eyes drifting back to him.

The last time she’d been here, she’d witnessed how little he really cared for her. Devastated beyond words, she’d left this place, and him, behind.

But that was then.

Tonight, she had a chance, a shot at a little payback.

A reminder of everything he gave up when he ruined what they had.