Page 13 of The Matchmaker Club

Lainey let out a laugh she couldn’t hold back anymore, and my grandmother narrowed her eyes, a smirk forcing its way out. She picked up her cloth napkin and threw it at me before laughing along with us. Lucas smiled a real smile but didn’t laugh.

There was a light about him when he smiled like that. Maybe his name did suit him in moments.

“So, Lucas.” My grandmother grabbed a roll from the basket. “What brings you to our sleepy little Maine town? We don’t get many tourists around these parts.”

Lucas’s smile faded back to his usual scowl. “Business.”

Everyone waited for him to expand on the answer, but he didn’t offer. So the conversation turned away from him, and he seemed a bit relieved by that, but not by much.

When we finished, I got up and began clearing the table.

Lucas stood up. “I’ll help.”

“You’re a guest, you don’t have to,” I said.

He grabbed a plate from my hands, his eyes penetrating my own. “I want to.”

I swallowed, turning away from his gaze. My grandmother looked at both of us and smiled before inviting Charlie and my aunt into the parlor.

“You’re here on business?” I scooped up the basket and the honey butter off the table. “I thought you were buying a house.”

He balanced a few more plates on his arm like he had done this before. “No, not buying. We already own property.”

We? Was he married?

Lucas followed me into the kitchen as we piled plates into the sink. I put the rolls and honey butter on the counter. I opened a cabinet and tried to grab hold of the Tupperware on the top shelf.

“Here, let me get that for you.” As he reached up, the sweatshirt rose, revealing a good portion of his tight abs… and a trail of hair that led down beneath the band of his pants.

I turned away, my face flushing. “So…who iswe?”

He handed me a large, square container. “My family.”

“Oh. You have kids?”

His usual scowl returned, but this time, he didn’t look me in the eyes. “No. I’m not married.”

“You don’t have to be married to have children. I mean, look at us.”

That kind-of smile returned. “I have no children.”

The doorbell rang, and I nearly dropped the remaining rolls in my hand.

Austin.

I almost forgot.

“Is that who I think it is?” my grandmother called from the parlor.

“Sorry, I have to get that. You don’t have to finish up in here, I’ll take care of it later.” I booked it to the front door before my grandmother had a chance to get there first. “It’s okay,” I said. “I invited him here.”

“So that’s why you got all prettied up.” She shook her head. “And what about your guest?”

“It’s fine,” Lucas said from behind her. “I should be going anyway. Thank you for dinner.”

“It was my pleasure.” My grandmother narrowed her eyes my way before turning back to Lucas. “Your clothes should be dry by now. I’ll have Lainey get them for you.”

The doorbell rang a second time, and I opened it. “I’ll be out in a minute, now go park yourself on a porch chair and wait.” I shut the door before Austin had a chance to respond.