CHAPTER 2
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“Y ou’re telling me I can buy your book in bookstores and everything?” Mallory asked her friend as she drizzled syrup all over a short stack.
Alice Snyder beamed at her, nodding so fiercely her head could have popped off. “Yes!” She squealed, digging an overstuffed envelope from her tote bag. “When James and I were in New York we got everything sorted.”
Mallory snatched the papers from her friend and hurried to scan through them. “Holy crap,” she said on an exhale. “Alice, they want at least two books? That’s amazing.” She reached across the table and hugged her as firmly as she could without crumpling the papers or getting syrup on their clothes. “I’m so excited for you.”
Once they broke apart, Alice dabbed at her eyes with a napkin and grinned. “I can’t believe it’s all happening. I’ve been talking about doing this for years, and it’s finally happening.”
“You’ve earned it,” Mallory insisted, understanding all the hard work her friend had put into her writing passion. While only friends for the last year, the two had grown close. Alice was the sister of Buckeye Falls’ mayor, Anthony, and was currently dating one of the hottest artists in the country, James Gibson. When the pair got together months before, it was clear that Alice was head over heels. Mallory savored every moment of their courtship and loved living vicariously through Alice. Plus, it didn’t hurt that James was a minor celebrity and fueled her passion for pop culture gossip.
Alice sliced into her omelet and took a greedy bite. “Well, I think James gets an honorable mention here. His friend is the reason I got an invite to meet the publisher in the first place.”
“No argument there, but your writing is why you have that fat contract.” She gestured to it with her fork and took a bite from her pancakes. Evan had added extra chocolate chips, and she felt a cavity form as she chewed. Totally worth it!
For a few minutes, the pair ate in companionable silence, both too distracted by their breakfasts to talk beyond their obsession with the diner’s food. “I always love the food here,” Alice said between bites, “but I can tell when CeCe is cooking. This sourdough toast is ridiculous. How can bread be this amazing?”
“Because she’s the freaking best,” Evan chimed in, leaning in to refill their coffee cups. “I take it everything is delicious.” He winked at his sister.
Alice and Mallory nodded, both with matching satisfied smiles. “Please marry that woman,” Alice said sarcastically. “If she was my type, I’d jump on that train.” Evan shot Mallory a warning look that confused Alice. “And I think I just said the wrong thing.” It was a statement, not a question.
Evan’s voice was low. “Mal, I thought you weren’t going to say anything.”
Mallory balled up her napkin and tossed it at Evan’s head. It bounced off his blond curls before falling to his feet. “I didn’t, dumbass, but you certainly did.” She raised an eyebrow at her brother who had the manners to look embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his neck and scanned around them to see if anyone was listening. Fortunately, everyone else was too invested in their pancakes and waffles to pay them any attention.
“Oh, my God,” Alice stage whispered. “Did you pop the question?” She clapped her hands in front of her, fanning herself from the impending news. Both Lawson siblings shushed her, Mallory adding a kick under the table for good measure. Alice rubbed the sore spot but didn’t complain.
“No,” Evan said, waving his hands for her to keep the volume down.
“But it’s on the menu,” Mallory added, seemingly pleased with her food analogy.
Evan rolled his eyes but continued, “I’m working on it. Now both of you keep quiet, or I’m not giving you any to-go muffins.”
Alice’s eyes grew ten sizes as she fell back in her seat. “Blackmail.”
“That’s harsh, Ev,” Mallory agreed. It was a poorly kept secret that CeCe had been trying new muffin recipes for an online contest, and everyone in town was eager to try them. Those muffins were half the reason Alice got out of bed that early, as she tended to operate at a snail’s pace on weekends.
“I’m serious, Mal.” Evan pointed at his sister before turning his wrath to Alice. “And I love you, Alice, but you are sisters-in-law with CeCe’s best friend and the biggest gossip in Buckeye Falls. Zip it.” No one could argue with that assessment of Natalie, Buckeye Fall’s First Lady and all-around gossip hound. She might as well wear a megaphone around her neck.
Mallory raised her hand, pulling an invisible zipper closed over her mouth. “I’m a vault, and Alice is too.”
Alice crossed her heart and picked up a piece of toast, eating half of it in one bite. “Me too. Please don’t take away my carbs.”
Evan relaxed and picked up his coffee pot. “I’ll be back with your muffins, but I’m watching you.” He gestured between them before backing away.
As soon as he was in the kitchen, Alice looked over her shoulder to ensure they were alone. “Holy crap! Why didn’t you say anything?”
Mallory kicked her again and laughed. “Because I knew you’d get like this. At least don’t geek out in public, Alice.”
“Pfft, whatever.” Alice shimmied in her seat and ate the last slice of toast.
Evan returned with their checks and two paper bags. He slid the goodies in front of them, pointing to each bag as he explained CeCe’s latest creations. “This one is a caramel pecan banana muffin, and this one is a double chocolate zucchini muffin with peanut butter chips.”
Alice snagged the chocolate one and stuck out her tongue.
“Real mature.” Mallory laughed as she scooped up her muffin and tucked it in her purse. No one needed to know she wanted the banana muffin all along.
“Those are for your silence,” Evan cautioned Alice as she slid from the booth.
“If I promise to never say anything ever again, will you give me some cheesy bites?” A devilish grin cracked her face. Mallory was impressed with Alice’s strategy; Evan didn’t know who he was messing with.
Crossing his arms over his chest he said, “There are four in there already.”
Alice giggled and clapped her hands. A lottery winner would appear less enthusiastic. “I love you Lawsons!”
“Do I get the goods too?”
Evan gave his sister his full attention. “If you say yes to this favor, I promise to have CeCe make a whole batch just for you.”
Mallory was skeptical. “I thought this was for my silence. Now you want favors too?”
“I think you’ll like this one, promise.”
Raising an eyebrow, she waited for Evan to continue.
“I need your help planning a housewarming party for Foxy.”
Mallory’s pulse spiked and she felt her mouth go as dry as cotton wool. “What?” she asked, striving to keep her tone light. She had to swallow three times before she relaxed.
Evan shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his heels. “He’s basically moved in, but he doesn’t really know anyone in town. I know you are great at party planning, so I hoped you could help me get something together.”
Picking up her coffee cup, Mallory tried to hide her sour expression. Her attempts of hiding were interrupted by Alice’s question. “Who, or what, is Foxy?”
“My oldest friend, Beckett Fox. He just moved to Buckeye Falls.” He hitched a thumb toward Mallory, completely unaware of her internal meltdown. Warning alarms sounded in her head, blaring louder than the weather sirens of a tornado drill. Couldn’t he see the steam shooting from her ears?
Alice inched closer. “Old friend, huh?”
Evan, completely oblivious, kept on talking. “Oh yeah, since we were in elementary school. Mal’s friends with him, too. Isn’t that right? We all grew up together.”
“Mmhmm.” Was the only sound she could muster without looking completely deranged.
Helen, one of the other waitstaff, called Evan’s name from the kitchen and he excused himself. “Text me later and we’ll gameplan.” He waved over his shoulder as he strode back to work, his sneakers slapping on the tiled floor.
After draining the last of her coffee, Mallory hurriedly packed up her things. Snatching the check in her hands, she tried to stand up, but Alice was too quick. “Yeah, I don’t think so. You’re going to spill the beans on whatever this is.” She mirrored Mallory’s pinched expression and twirled her finger around her face. “You were asked to plan a housewarming, not an execution.”
“Same thing,” Mallory muttered as she eased back into the booth.
Alice checked her watch and grimaced. “I have ten minutes until I need to get to the library, and you need to start talking.” The look she gave her friend left no room for argument.
“ Cliff Notes version?” Mallory asked hopefully.
With a nod, Alice tapped her watch. “Get talking. I want the abridged version now, and the full story over drinks and that promised box of cheesy bites.”
“Beckett is Evan’s best friend.”
Alice blinked, waiting for more. “And he’s a total asshole?”
The notion of Beckett being anything but perfect brought a belly laugh from Mallory. “Hardly, he’s a sweetheart.”
“A sweetheart who’s mean to you?”
“No!” She practically shouted her denial. “Beckett is like Evan, kind of. He’s super sweet, patient, smart, kind, funny, and—” Her voice hitched as she flushed, images of all the reasons she loved Beckett flittering through her skull. Given the time, she could recite all the qualities she adored about him. Her head suddenly felt crowded, like when that last person squeezed onto an already crowded elevator.
Alice smirked. “You like him.” It was a statement, not a question.
Mallory’s rebuttal came out as a squeak. “I do not. He’s Evan’s friend, I’ve known him forever.” She flapped her hands in the air, as if able to send the truth away on the wind.
“How much of forever have you been pining after the guy?” Alice leaned over the table and poked Mallory’s arm. “Something is definitely up.”
“Nothing is up. I just haven’t seen him in a while.” Knowing that wasn’t enough of an excuse, she added, “Work has been crazy and I guess I’m tired. The idea of planning a party seems daunting.”
“If you think it will be a problem, we can ask Natalie or Ginny to help. It’s kind of their job.” Alice snorted, referring to the very successful event planning business her sister-in-law and friend ran. They could plan a large corporate event or a small wedding without breaking a sweat.
Mallory waved off the suggestion, although she appreciated Alice’s willingness to help. It wasn’t her fault that Mallory hadn’t been honest. “I’ll figure it out.”
Alice glanced at the time again and groaned. “You get a pass for now, but I know you’re holding out on me.” She gathered her treats and sniffed the bag. “Ugh, and this is the only reason I’m keeping my mouth shut about the other thing. I’d sooner eat a box of hair than lose access to these delights.”
Joining her friend, Mallory handed her credit card to the hostess and checked her phone. “You still free for happy hour next week?”
Alice shot her a thumbs-up. “You know it. James is out of town for a meeting with his agent, so the timing is perfect.” She kissed Mallory on the cheek before stepping outside. “Text me!”
Mallory paid and walked to her car, her mind going at a thousand miles an hour with no destination. She needed to help Evan with the party, otherwise she would have to come clean on why she didn’t want to. It was annoying to have yet another reason to be involved with Beckett beyond the wedding festivities, but she wouldn’t wallow—much.
Once she was behind the wheel, Mallory realized she couldn’t pinpoint why planning the party threw her. It was more than just seeing Beckett again. What she told Alice wasn’t a lie, as she felt overwhelmed with her workload at the hospital. But being in Beckett’s space, celebrating his return to her life, it felt too private to share with others, even with Evan. “Just rip the Band-Aid off,” she chastised herself the whole drive to the market.
Whenever she was ready, she would text Evan for Beckett’s address. There was no use hiding from the man. Not only was Buckeye Falls too small, but she also wouldn’t live in fear. Maybe the time had come to face her past head-on—consequences be damned.
*
B eckett woke up on the floor of his new apartment, a candy bar wrapper stuck to his cheek. The night before had been a lonely one, filled with boxes to unpack and papers from his grandfather’s estate to go through. Feeling tired and overwhelmed, Beckett opted to order a pizza and have a few beers to relax with his favorite video game. The only problem was he hadn’t accomplished anything, including putting linens on the bed. He’d been in town for two whole days, and he still couldn’t relax, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Easing himself to stand, he pulled the wrapper from his face and let it flutter to the floor. He needed to watch his eating habits, but junk food was a comfort. And comfort felt in short supply these days. God, he missed his grandfather. He missed his laugh, missed his wit, missed how they could sit in silence and enjoy each other’s company. Now that he was truly gone, Beckett didn’t know where he fit in the world.
After plodding to the fridge, he yanked the door open and remembered he hadn’t bothered going to the grocery store. The convenience store provided the candy bars and beer, but Beckett needed to get actual food. He covered his rumbling stomach with his hand and sighed. It was time to go to the diner and learn what all the fuss was about. Plus, he needed to see his friend again to thank him for the help with moving.
Twenty minutes later, Beckett stepped out of his car and headed toward the diner’s entrance. On his way to the door, he spotted a woman in blue hospital scrubs getting into a car at the far side of the lot. His heart stuttered in his chest—was that Mallory? Doing a quick inventory of his current state, Beckett exhaled with relief that he’d remembered a clean T-shirt and deodorant. Granted, his glasses were a little smudged, but that was usually the case.
Picking up the pace, he strode toward the car and hoped it was Mallory. Then his feet faltered, causing him to stumble against the hood of a pickup truck. This was no way to have a reunion with Mallory, chasing her down in a random parking lot. She deserved a real greeting; she deserved the world. Beckett ducked low behind the truck and waited for the car to turn and leave, heading west on Main Street. After pulling himself upright, he turned and walked right into a wall.
That wall was nearly six feet tall and covered in a cotton apron. “Foxy? What the heck are you doing hiding in the parking lot?”
Beckett felt his cheeks flush. Busted!
“Um, I thought I lost...” His hands helplessly padded around his pockets. “My keys?” It came out as a question, and Evan raised an eyebrow. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he pulled his keys out and held them in the air. “Found them,” Beckett declared with a little too much gusto.
Evan looked around the parking lot and frowned. “It’s a shame you weren’t a little quicker. Mal just left on her way home from work.” His friend slung an arm over his shoulder and turned Beckett toward the diner. “But your timing is perfect for breakfast. The rush died down and CeCe is dying to see you again.”
So that had been Mallory. Learning the truth made his skin prickle, but Beckett strained to keep his composure. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he confirmed Mallory was nowhere in sight. The realization should have relaxed him, but it had the opposite effect. He was both eager to see her again and terrified of her reaction. Would she remember the last time they saw each other? Would she even want to speak to him?
Beckett’s internal monologue ended when they stepped inside the diner. His nostrils were greeted to the sweet smells of cinnamon, chocolate, and berries as Evan slapped his hand on the counter. “Have a seat. I’ll bring out a menu and snag a coffee.”
“Thanks, Lawless.” Beckett slid onto a stool. He rested his forearms on the counter and savored the coolness. Outside, summer was taking over, and he wasn’t quite ready for the dog days of crushing heat. Then again, he didn’t know what he was ready for.
Evan was back in record time with a mug of coffee, a menu, and his lovely girlfriend in tow. “Hi Beckett,” CeCe greeted him with a wave, her other hand clutching Evan’s. Even though he’d only met CeCe a few times, it was clear that she loved his best friend. They looked at each other like his grandparents used to, with love and admiration. Their eyes sparkled with secrets and tidbits that only they knew. Man, he was jealous.
Beckett wanted that type of tenderness in his life, and he knew who he wanted to share it with. Hell, he’d had that and he’d made a foolish mistake and lost her. Don’t go there now, man.
“CeCe, looking lovely as ever. You sure you’re not tired of putting up with Lawless yet?”
With a playful eyeroll, Evan shoved a menu at his friend. “Real nice, man.”
CeCe elbowed Evan and a look flashed between them that could melt butter. Beckett cleared his throat before taking a swig of his coffee. The bitterness was exactly what he needed to wake up and get his head on straight. “What’s the special today?” he asked, hoping it was something sinfully sweet.
“Chocolate chip pancakes with strawberry glaze, but I also have a bunch of muffins if you’d rather something like that.” CeCe held up her hand and counted off several decadent flavor combinations until Beckett felt himself drool. It was a wonder that Evan hadn’t gained fifty pounds already.
“Let’s do the pancakes, and I’ll take a banana muffin to go?”
Evan chuckled. “Exact same order as Mal. I’m telling you, it’s crazy how in sync you two are.” He rapped his knuckles on the counter and headed back to the kitchen, CeCe hot on his heels.
“Great seeing you again, Beckett. We’ll stop by for dinner soon.” She ducked into the kitchen and left Beckett alone with his thoughts.
Thoughts of Mallory.
Of course, they still liked the same things. Back when they were kids, his grandmother would get gallons of ice cream for the neighborhood children, and he and Mallory were the only ones who liked butter pecan. When Halloween rolled around, they were the only two kids willing to swap a Snickers for a Three Musketeer. And when everyone at the winter formal dance in high school got food poisoning from the plastic chicken, he and Mallory were saved because they had snuck in their own bag of Taco Bell.
That night had been a favorite of Beckett’s for a lot of reasons, and ninety-nine percent had to do with Mallory. Agreeing to go as friends to the dance, they tagged along with Evan and his girlfriend at the time. They danced, laughed, gossiped about their classmates, and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. Being with Mallory was effortless, and he missed that feeling. The feeling of sharing your time and space with someone who saw you, someone who didn’t try to make you into someone you’re not. Beckett always appreciated that about Mallory, and it was a measuring stick he’d use when dating other women. So far, no one had come close to measuring up.
His musings ended abruptly when Evan returned with his breakfast. The pancakes were massive, with chocolatey decadence covering every square inch. “How are you not as big as a house, man?” Beckett asked as he cut into the first pancake. He took a massive bite, feeling a trail of syrup run down his chin.
Evan laughed and handed him a stack of napkins, which Beckett immediately swiped over his face. Thank God Mallory wasn’t here to see his table manners.
“How’s the unpacking going?” Evan asked as he tidied up the space around them. He carefully placed empty plates and coffee cups in a bus bin before wiping down the counter. Beckett took a moment to savor his breakfast and watch his friend’s routine.
Evan had a carefree demeanor that Beckett envied. No matter the situation, he knew that Evan would be calm, collected, and more importantly smiling. That was one of the reasons he liked Mallory so much, she was like Evan, but with a twist. Like her brother, Mallory was fiercely loyal to her friends and family, but she had a sense of humor that kept him in stitches. There was also a nurturing air about her. She genuinely cared about people. For a time, she cared for him.
Glancing back down to his breakfast, Beckett struggled to stay in the moment. He wanted to engage with Evan, but his thoughts kept going back to Mallory. Even the chocolate in the pancakes reminded him of her sweet tooth, and how her chocolatey hair always curled in the summer humidity. He used to keep a stash of hair bands in his car for when they’d hang out. Within ten minutes of leaving the house, she’d begin fumbling for something to keep her hair off her neck. In a matter of moments, she’d braid her hair or twist it into an intricate pattern. He didn’t know if she never noticed he had them at the ready, but he hoped she did.
“So how was breakfast?” Evan asked, finally drawing him back to the moment. He dropped a paper bag on the table, the smell made Beckett drool.
Beckett wiped at his face again, fruitlessly trying to get at the chocolate clinging to his stubbled cheek. “Delicious. You’ve got yourself a keeper, Lawless.”
Evan’s smile lit up the whole diner. “Don’t I know it.” Ah, the look of a man in love. Beckett hoped to someday have a smile like that on his face, but he wasn’t going there now. “Take these muffins with you. CeCe is experimenting again.”
“Twist my arm.” Beckett snickered, knowing those muffins would be gone in no time. “Where’s a good place to grab some groceries? As much as I love living off muffins and pancakes, I need real food too.”
“You’ll want to swing by the corner market,” Evan offered. He gestured toward the exit and added, “Turn right out of the lot and follow Main Street for about a half mile. You can’t miss it.”
After pulling out his wallet, Beckett tossed a few bills on the table and snatched his to-go bag. “Thank CeCe for a wonderful breakfast and these muffins.”
Evan came out from behind the counter and they shared a one-armed hug before Beckett stepped back outside. Seeing his friend had shaken him from his stupor, and he was glad to have him so close again. After Gramps, Evan was one of his favorite people.
As he pulled his car into the market’s parking lot, he tried not to think about his other favorite person. But it was no use, Mallory was never far from his thoughts. In fact, she was so entrenched in his head that he thought he saw her walking out of the market, but that couldn’t be. Was Buckeye Falls really that small? What were the odds they’d see each other now?
Apparently pretty good, he surmised as she headed toward the same car from the diner’s parking lot. She stalked forward with purpose, steering a small shopping cart. Beckett had a choice to make. He could duck behind another car and hide like a coward, or he could man up and walk over to her. Taking a deep breath, Beckett took one small step toward his future.