Page 20 of The Cinnamon Spice Inn (Maple Falls #1)

FOURTEEN

ZACH

Zach knew the Kettle was going to be busy. The tavern was always packed on a Friday, but add in Liam’s birthday, and it was guaranteed to be standing-room only.

Zach was counting on it. That way, he could stop by for a quick drink, a “happy birthday,” and then get out before he had to socialize with half the town.

He walked in with his hands tucked in his jeans pockets and scanned the crowd.

It was easy to spot Liam—he had a big, broad grin on his face and was shaking hands with nearly everyone, clapping the rest on the back, or leaning in for hugs.

Zach couldn’t help but smile. Liam had no problem being the center of attention.

Zach, on the other hand, would rather be renovating his kitchen, living room, or, heck, even the bathroom. Give him a power tool, wood, and silence any day over a party.

But he owed it to Liam to be here. Liam had been his best friend since Zach was the new kid in town. Liam had a way of making you feel like you belonged. Like you weren’t just the kid whose dad bailed and whose mom was barely scraping by.

Zach had barely taken two steps when Mrs. Bishop sidled up beside him, pretending to use his arm for support as they walked.

“There you are,” she said, her voice full of warmth. “Mrs. C. didn’t think you were going to show up, but I told her you wouldn’t miss your best bud’s birthday.”

“Evening, Mrs. Bishop. How you doing?” Zach asked. He would always have time for a woman who had once shown up at their door with casseroles after his grandpa died.

“Oh, can’t complain, except maybe about the color of my kitchen.”

Zach inwardly groaned. He was hoping he wouldn’t have to repaint the room a third time. “Are you sure? Thought you loved that color.”

“Oh, I suppose I did at one time. But, well, maybe it’ll grow on me.” She patted his hand.

Zach was waiting for her to ask him to do another job for him when he realized she was leading him straight to a blonde woman standing at the bar.

A woman whose name, for the life of him, he couldn’t remember. Was it Amy? Maybe Ashley?

That was the extent of what he knew about the woman—her name started with an A and she wasn’t a local.

“Ah, here we go. Zach, this is Alyssa.” Mrs. Bishop thrust a drink in Zach’s hand and then stood behind him, pressing both of her hands on his shoulders, forcing him to sit down on the barstool. In terms of setups, it wasn’t the most subtle.

“Hi,” Alyssa said, smiling as she brushed a light touch over his arm. “It’s nice to officially meet you.”

Zach subtly pulled his arm away, using the hand to lift the drink to his mouth. It was bourbon and cranberry. At least Mrs. Bishop had gotten that part right.

“I’ve seen you around town,” Alyssa continued, still smiling.

“… Right.”

Zach didn’t want to do this. Alyssa was sweet and pretty by anyone’s standards, but he just wasn’t interested.

Zach had tried dating over the years since Madison, but the relationships were doomed from the start. He wasn’t built for easy charm or constant conversation. He was built for loyalty. For the long haul. And the only person he’d ever wanted to share that with had walked away.

He tried to catch Liam’s eye across the room, but at that moment, Madison walked in, and Liam was giving her a hug while the rest of their friends welcomed her to their table like old times.

“So, Mrs. Bishop says that you’re a contractor?” Alyssa tried again.

Zach looked back at the woman, remembering that he was supposed to be chatting with her.

“I am. I own my own business. Maple Falls keeps me pretty busy.”

He knew it was his turn to ask a question, but honestly, he just wanted to finish his drink and leave.

Alyssa didn’t seem deterred. “That’s great! So, do you do mostly houses? Or do you work on businesses too?”

“Businesses, some houses,” he replied vaguely.

She smiled, swirling her drink with her straw. “That must be really rewarding, seeing something come together like that. I bet you love it.”

He shrugged. “It’s work.”

Her brows lifted slightly, but she kept going. “And you grew up here, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I think that’s so nice—small-town roots and all.” She paused as if waiting for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, she pushed on. “Did you ever think about leaving? You know, seeing the world?”

Zach took a sip of his drink, trying not to glance over at Madison, who was laughing at something Liam had said. “No, figured I’d always stay.”

Alyssa tapped her fingers against her glass. “That’s really refreshing. A lot of guys want bigger things.”

He forced a polite smile and nodded, hoping she’d take the hint.

“So…” She leaned in slightly, hand on his arm. “What do you do for fun?”

Zach exhaled quietly, then tilted his drink toward her. “This.”

She laughed, but he wasn’t joking.

No matter how much Zach tried to ignore Madison, he could feel her.

He could hear her laugh and picture her expression when she rolled her eyes at something Liam said.

It was infuriating how quickly he’d fallen back into sensing her, knowing her actions, even without seeing her face.

It messed with his head. He should have been focused on the present—the woman in front of him. On moving the hell on.

Zach took two quick gulps of his drink. The whiskey burned his throat, and he coughed hard enough to draw a glance from a few tables over.

And maybe from Madison too, because when he risked a glance across the room, he caught her looking away too quickly.

Her cheeks pinkened from the blush rising and her expression made his heart stutter.

Hell. She could be blushing for anyone, laughing at anything.

But he knew that look. He knew her.

Alyssa leaned in and placed her hand on Zach’s forearm again.

“You’re always so busy. Maybe you should take some time off, and we could have lunch together?” she suggested.

Zach barely processed what she was saying. His eyes flicked back to Madison. He watched her tuck a stray hair behind her ear. She was pretending not to care, but there was tension in her shoulders and a fake smile plastered on her face.

She looked incredible tonight. Jeans that hugged her hips, that soft cream sweater that slid off one shoulder if she moved just right.

Realizing Alyssa was still waiting for a response, he turned back to her, clearing his throat.

“Sorry—what was that?”

“Lunch? You and me?” Alyssa laughed lightly.

Zach exhaled, then stood up. “I’m sorry, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” He kept his voice even. “But thanks for asking.”

He stayed long enough just to watch the hurt cross Alyssa’s face, and yeah, it made him feel like an ass, but leading her on would’ve been worse.

“You have a good night now,” he added before striding toward Liam.

Zach tried to ignore Kit, who was nudging Madison again, whispering something that made her shake her head. And Mrs. Bishop, who was scowling at him from across the room. Although, he swore he heard Mrs. C. say, “I told you so,” as she sat next to her.

“Finally, I see you’ve come to join the party,” Liam said dryly.

“Blame Mrs. Bishop,” Zach replied.

“Game of pool then?” Liam offered.

“Lead the way,” Zach said, hoping to put some distance between him and Maddie.

“Girls versus boys, yeah?” Liam asked the group.

Zach’s stony expression was answer enough.

“Yes!” Kit exclaimed. “You boys are going to go down!”

“I wouldn’t get too confident,” Liam told her. “Zach and I are an unstoppable duo. That is, unless Madison is playing.”

Liam’s words sent a ripple of amusement through the group as they migrated toward the pool table. Madison trailed behind, fingers curled around her glass, her mind clearly anywhere but the game.

Her head jerked up. “What? I’m not playing.”

“I guess Madison’s lost her touch,” Zach said, meeting her eyes in a challenge. He knew he was playing with fire but couldn’t help himself.

Their gazes locked for a fraction of a second too long.

Zach swore the noise of the tavern faded—the clatter of glasses, the guitar player in the corner, all the conversations dulling into the background.

It didn’t matter that everyone was watching them—old friends, his mother, Mrs. Bishop.

He couldn’t look away. He wouldn’t look away.

Not even if someone had a buzz saw at his boots.

Oh yes, the fire was still there, anger flickering around the edges of her emerald irises, but at the center, her pupils were dilated.

Deep black pools that Zach knew mirrored his own.

He felt the release of endorphins pulse through his body, starting in his chest and rolling through his fingertips down to his toes.

He simply had no control over the chemical reaction that took over whenever Madison was around.

“Alright, that settles it, then,” Liam said, breaking the spell. “Girls break first.”

Zach turned and tried to pretend they hadn’t just devoured one another with their eyes.

He knew Madison had felt it too—by the way she took an overly hefty sip of her drink before setting it down and rolling her neck.

“So, what, are you like a pool shark or something?” Kit asked, bouncing on her toes next to Madison.

Zach overheard Madison reply, “Hardly. I haven’t played since I left Maple Falls.”

“Maybe it’s like riding a bicycle,” Kit said hopefully.

Liam clapped his hands. “Alright, ladies, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Madison picked up a cue and stepped forward. Zach was determined not to watch the way she lined up the first shot—or the way her sweater hitched up on the side, revealing a triangle of perfectly peach-colored skin.

“Might want to try not to stare so much, mate,” Liam whispered.

Zach didn’t bother to reply. He looked back just as Madison’s break sent the balls scattering across the table, and he cursed under his breath. There was no denying it—it was a hell of a break. And by the smug look she shot him across the table, she knew it too.

“What did I say? Like riding a bike.” Kit came over and gave Madison a high-five before turning her attention to the men. “You boys ready to lose?” She grinned.

“Please. We’re just getting started,” Liam replied.

But Zach knew he was screwed.

In more ways than one.