Page 8 of Pinch of Love

I bit my lip and sucked in a deep breath, watching her. “If you want a different place, I’m more than happy—”

Maya shook her head frantically. “Nonsense. I find it fascinating. Now, show me the kitchen.”

Fascinating? What was I dealing with?

I walked into the newly remodeled kitchen with white granite countertops, light grey kitchen cabinets, and a white subway tile backsplash. I’d done most of the work myself, and at times, thought about moving to this rental and renting out my current house in its place.

“The view of the lake is absolutely breathtaking,” Maya said, sweeping her fingers along the silky countertop. “And this kitchen just sets it all off. Wow. The pictures were beautiful, but I wasn’t prepared for this.”

“Thanks. I did most of it myself.”

She turned to look at me with curiosity dripping from her expression. “You did this?” She waved her hands around the room.

I nodded. “It’s what I do. I pick up wandering guests who are lost and remodel my rentals in my spare time. I even got that thing working.” I pointed at the door in the wall.

“What is it?” she asked.

“A dumbwaiter. It goes from the basement to the primary suite.” I opened the door where a platform hovered, waiting for snacks to be served.

She giggled and leaned against the counter. “I’ve just never met a man who’s so handy. Shoot. Rob had to calla handyman to change a lightbulb in the ceiling.”

“Why didn’t you just change it?” I asked, realizing that came out wrong too.

Around this woman, nothing came out of me smooth, polished, or even somewhat polite. It was like this female had some sort of mystical powers that turned me into a bumbling jerk. What was it she said? Not even a lip curl in the northern direction? Just the thought made me smile, but I didn’t.

Maya straightened and let out a sigh. “Believe me, had I known he was calling someone to do it, I would have just grabbed a ladder and changed it myself. I only found out when I walked in on a stranger balancing on the top step to change out the lightbulb. Rob always acted as if money grew on trees.”

I didn’t realize I was studying her so hard until her cheeks pinked up all the way into her forehead.

“Who’s Rob?” I asked without thinking and quickly added, “Not that it’s my business.”

“I’m an open book, Cash. Ask me anything you want. As for Rob? Good ol’ Robo? He’s the asshat who left me at the altar.” She let out a grunt. “And, unfortunately, he’s also my business partner. Grandma Millie told me not to do it. But did I listen? Nope. I was young and in love.”

My jaw dropped open. I couldn’t imagine any jerk leaving Maya anywhere, let alone something as sacred as a wedding. I recognized both the pain and embarrassment in her words and looked out toward the lake.

“It’s his loss.” I brought my gaze back to hers.

She flashed a smile in my direction. “You think so? I thought I’d probably ban myself from all meet-cute encounters.”

I licked my lips and nodded, trying to regain some semblance of order with my thoughts. “I know so, and what the hell is a meet-cute? Sounds ridiculous and like you’re not missing out. Is it some British lingo you’re dropping on me?”

She laughed. “Just so happens that a meet-cute is generally the first romantic brush between two characters in a romantic film or book. I happen to read a lot, so...” She shrugged. “It just sounds sweet and innocent and so much better than purely hooking up.”

“Whatever.” I batted the air between us for absolutely no reason at all. How did this woman make me feel so vulnerable and like a babbling idiot? “Any man would be lucky to have a cute meet with you, or a hook-up, so don’t say that.”

“It’s a meet-cute.” Her gaze softened, and she nodded her head. “But thanks. I think I needed to hear that from a male.” She wandered toward the family room. “The mind can play terrible tricks on a person, but that’s why I needed to come to Buttercup Lake. I just needed time away so I could get my head squarely planted on my shoulders again. Because I know there’ll be a fight ahead, and I have to be ready for it.”

I watched her wander into the family room, and I couldn’t imagine anyone just dumping someone so rudely. But I’d seen a lot in my forty years, and I was learning not to let it all surprise me.

Maya’s phone rang again, and I realized who was on the other end.

Rob.

And I knew there was a lot left to the story that Maya just didn’t want to tell.

Chapter Three

Maya