Page 92 of The Matchmaker Club

Bill and Javier arrived a little early with a couple bottles of wine that Lucas approved of—they were even sealed with a cork and everything. While everyone was busy making them comfortable, the doorbell rang, and my heart sputtered. That had to be Austin.

I opened the door to find a beaming smile, his best jeans, and a white button-up that contrasted nicely with his tanned skin. He looked more grown up than I had ever remembered. He swung up his arm, revealing a bouquet of flowers in his fist.

Oh no.

I pushed him out and shut the door behind me.

“Are you crazy, bringing flowers like that into this house?” I grabbed the bouquet.

“What? It’s a thank you gift.”

“Do you even remember Lainey’s rants about the flower industry?”

He scratched his head and scrunched up his face. “Oh yeah. She doesn’t like ’em, does she?”

“That would be a hard no.” I thrust the flowers to his chest. “Go hide them in your truck.”

I waited as he sprinted across the driveway and tossed them through his opened window. We walked back inside and joined the others on a brief little tour. Parlor, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and finishing off with the “make yourselves at home” bit. Everything was going fine as we popped open wine and my aunt got the appetizers ready.

Lainey could barely sit still, and I knew now wouldn’t be the time to try and match her and Bill. The right time would be after the meal, when she could finally relax and stop playing hostess.

Javier and my grandmother seemed to hit it off when he found out she loved Bette Davis. Apparently, he was a fan of her movies as well. Bill and Austin were talking about work and tractors, which left Lucas and me to each other while Lainey was preparing last-minute touches for our meal.

“So, what’s your plan?” he asked.

“I was thinking Lainey could show him her garden progress after dessert.”

“Hmm.”

“What?”

“She seems pretty intent on making that a surprise.”

I sighed. “True. Maybe she can show Bill some of her woodworking, then.”

He nodded. “Or they could play a game of Never Have I Ever.”

My heart warmed, remembering the night we had played in the tent. “That’s always a great option.”

Lainey walked into the parlor. “Dinner’s ready.”

My grandmother directed people as to where to sit, being sure that I was between Charlie and Austin to avoid any discomfort on Charlie’s end. I was surprised when she didn’t sit Lainey between Bill and Javier… and again when she asked Lucas to sit at the head of the table, opposite to her.

“It’s your home,” he said. “Lainey or Taylor should have it.”

She swatted his words away with her hand. “Nonsense. This house holds your history as well.”

He nodded and took his seat. “Thank you.”

I helped Lainey bring out the food and the wine. As soon as the glasses were full and the food served, my grandmother held up her cup. “A toast.”

Everyone grabbed their wine.

“To new friends, old friends, and lasting memories.”

We clinked our glasses in cheers and took a sip.

My grandmother cut into her stuffed pork, and we all dug in. She held her fork, just about to take a bite, and looked over toward Bill and Javier. “So, how long have you two been a couple?”