The Matchmaker's Billionaire by Maria Hoagland

Author:Maria Hoagland [Hoagland, Maria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Leaves Press
Published: 2020-03-10T16:00:00+00:00

11

“Good afternoon, ladies.” Grant held the door but stepped aside, a silent invitation for Emily and Hattie to follow him inside. “Can I buy you lunch?”

The invitation had been impulsive, but he didn’t regret it. He’d snagged a table by the window—quite a score, considering how busy the diner was—but had gotten distracted before he’d had the chance to order. Seeing the logo on the menu had brought back memories from this very shop that hit him like a slap to the back of his head. It had been years since he’d thought about sharing a booth with Emily. Then, as if conjured from memory, there she was—strolling toward him, talking with her friend. Not even thinking, he’d jumped out of his seat with the compulsion to stop them and say hello.

“Thank you,” Emily said as if he’d given her the moon. And he would have, if he could. “I’d love to.” Her enthusiastic response pushed away the slight chill he was letting into the restaurant.

“Rain check? I—” Hattie tugged at the strap of her purse. Her significant look to Emily was apparently enough of an explanation. “You two have fun. I’ll see you back at work later.”

Emily stepped past Grant and into the diner.

“Over there.” He pointed. “At our table by the window.”

Emily’s eyes swept over the room and chuckled. The location must not have registered before this. “Of course.”

He led her to the table and quickly pushed some paper and a book to the side. When the table was clear, she dropped into the booth with a barely held-back smile.

“Of course what?” He took the seat across from her, déjà vu settling around him, for once comfortable instead of disconcerting.

“Freddy’s Diner.” She giggled.

His heart climbed into his throat as his mind flashed back to the first time they’d sat face-to-face across this very booth. She’d had that same giggle then, the kind that chased away whatever cloud of disappointment had descended upon him that day. So far, today had been good, but with that laugh, the world had just gotten brighter, the sun warmer, and the concerns on his mind smaller.

He couldn’t help but smile. “You didn’t forget.”

“How could I?” she asked like it was a milestone life event rather than a random, unplanned afternoon where they’d happened to run into each other.

“We counted out how much money we had between us so we knew what we could order. I remember we pooled enough for a shake.” Emily rubbed her hands together. “Do you think we have enough to split a Neapolitan shake today?”

It sounded great. “We might could manage it, but Callum will make me pay for it later—kickboxing, sit-ups, running.” Grant placed a hand on his abdomen.

She grinned, showing her teeth, and wiggled her eyebrows like some sort of goofy GIF.

“You’re right,” he conceded. “It might be worth it.”

“Who needs Callum? I could teach you a thing or two.” She folded her arms. “Whenever you’re ready for a rematch.”

“Rematch.” He scoffed.

“Which came first, the spy novel

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