Page 42 of The Fake Date (Brides of Beaufort 4)

“Of course, dear. Why wouldn’t I be?”

I shifted in the booth, not sure if I should be blunt or play it off. Eh, whatever. She was the one with the near-constant matchmaking schemes, so she probably wasn’t unused to being called out. “Uh, I don’t know, maybe because you were trying to hook her up with your son?”

“Oh, please,” she said with a hearty laugh. “Brett was just acting as a catalyst.”

“A catalyst?”

“Yep. You see, Beau, I’ve had my eye on the two of you for a while now. You two were my real targets, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have successfully pushed you together.”

All I could do was stare. She’d placed a hand on the table between us and leaned down, speaking softly with that gleam back in her eyes. This woman was really something else.

“Wow. I don’t even know what to say right now.”

“They never do, honey.”

“Does Brett know about this?” I asked.

Just then, he came up behind her with a to-go cup of coffee in each hand, giving one to his mother. “Know about what?”

Ms. Hattie accepted the cup with a smile. “About my plan to get Beau and Lyndi together.”

“Oh, that,” he said, blowing out a long breath. “Yeah, sorry, man. My mom’s no joke, but I’m used to her.”

“Again, speechless.”

He nodded, sliding his gaze to his mother with a smirk. “She does have that effect on people.”

The bell above the door chimed, drawing my attention. I flicked my gaze there out of reflex more than anything, but when my eyes landed on Lyndi, I couldn’t look away.

She wore a soft purple tee and jeans—so casual, so ordinary… and yet not at all. Her brown hair was woven into a thick braid over her chest, sunglasses hiding the light brown eyes that had always fascinated me. They were so light they could almost pass for hazel like mine, but without the green flecks.

“Lyndi, good morning,” Ms. Hattie said as she and Brett stepped aside to give her room to slide into the booth.

She gave them each a small smile as she removed her glasses. “Good morning, Ms. Hattie. Hi, Brett.”

“Hi,” I said, intending to ask her how she was, but then Ms. Hattie sent me a stern look. I held my hands out in front of me to let her know I wasn’t going to bring up her little plan at the moment. It would probably only make Lyndi uncomfortable anyway. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” she replied, a light blush coloring her cheeks.

“Lyndi, I’m glad I ran into you,” Ms. Hattie said, stealing her attention. “My niece—you remember Nikki, right?”

“I think so, yes.”

“Well, she called today to let me know she and her daughter are planning to come home for a visit from California. She recently got engaged, and I’d love to hire you to take their engagement photos if you have the availability.”

Lyndi brightened, her entire posture changing from apprehension to excitement. “Oh, wow, I’d love to. Thank you for thinking of me. When are they coming?”

“After I leave, thankfully,” Brett grumbled.

I quirked a brow. “Not a fan of your cousin?”

He snorted, taking a swig from his coffee. “I’m not a fan of her fiancé. The dude’s a huge tool.”

“Now, now, Brett,” Ms. Hattie scolded him. “Take it easy. We hardly know him.”

“I don’t have to know him. It’s just a gut thing. I hate all the stuff he posts online like she’s his property or something. It’s weird.”

Ms. Hattie harrumphed and turned back to Lyndi. “I’ll send you the dates so you can see what would work best for you.”