“He’s lonely?”
Kennedy poured some lotion onto her hand and rubbed it up and down her arm, then switched to the other. She hadn’t told Andrew about Nicole, had she? She filled him in now.
They moved to the main room, and she slipped on her nightgown while Andrew kept his back to her.
“Damn,” Andrew said, sympathy clearly steeped in the one word as he turned around.
“Right?” She flopped down on her bed, thinking about the hot chocolate Maverick had mentioned. She’d been chilled to the bone when she’d walked into the inn and needed a hot shower before anything else. Now she was too tired to move. Closing her eyes, she replayed their kiss. His warm tongue inside her mouth, his hands everywhere, his arms holding her plastered against his solid muscles.
“Hey! Knock it off.”
Her eyes flew open.
Andrew pointed a finger at her. “No dreaming about him when I’m right here and wishing for my own tongue lashing from Liam.”
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly. Then yawned. “Do you want to canoe with us tomorrow?”
“And interrupt the sexy vacation vibe between you two? No way. We could walk into town for doughnuts and coffee, though, if you have the time first.”
“I always have time for doughnuts.”
…
“Good morning, Dr. Martin. Andrew,” Claudia said from behind the counter of Baked on Main the next morning. “Get you the usual?” Claudia owned and operated the bakery and apparently remembered everyone’s name and order. Even out-of-towners.
“Please,” Kennedy said.
“Looking good this morning,” Andrew said, drawing a blush from Claudia before he handed Kennedy a twenty and walked away to claim the last available table by the window. Kennedy didn’t know if he meant Claudia or the pastries. Probably both, given he loved to flirt.
Claudia wore her red hair in a high ponytail, her skin was free of makeup and impossibly smooth, and her hazel eyes were bright and cheery.
Before Kennedy handed over the cash at the register, she quietly said, “Would you mind adding Maverick’s favorite in a separate bag?” He hadn’t ordered anything the other morning when they’d stopped in, and while he probably would have eaten breakfast by the time they met up at eleven, she wanted to bring him something anyway.
“Sure.” Claudia smiled like she and Kennedy were sharing a secret, which they kind of were. Whether it stayed that way was beyond Kennedy’s control.
Gossip had never bothered her. Rumors and whispers were commonplace at the hospital, especially after her breakup with Trevor. The only time a mean or unflattering word stung was if it had to do with her abilities on the job.
“Dr. Martin?” a woman asked from over Kennedy’s shoulder.
“Yes?” Kennedy met the friendly face of a thirty-something woman wearing scrubs.
“I’m Savannah, Dr. Choi’s nurse. I just wanted to introduce myself and say thank you for helping out in the office when I was sick.”
“Oh, hi! It’s great to meet you. And it was my pleasure. I take it you’re feeling better?”
“Much, thank you. I understand you had a super-busy day.”
“Just how I like them,” Kennedy said around a smile. “I’m used to a busy ER, so it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. And it was nice to get to know some of the townspeople. Everyone had a story to share and made me feel welcome and appreciated.”
“Here you go,” Claudia said, splitting Kennedy’s attention between the two women.
“You left quite an impression on everyone,” Savannah said sweetly. “I’ll let you go. Thanks again and have a great day.”
“Thanks. You too. And please call me Kennedy.” At Savannah’s nod, Kennedy turned back to the register.
“Maverick has two favorites,” Claudia said softly as she accepted the twenty-dollar bill from Kennedy. “Apple turnovers and ginger scones.”
“Those both sound really good.”
“They are.” Claudia handed over Kennedy’s change and then the food and coffees. “Happy Thursday!”
There were several tables between Kennedy and the table where Andrew sat, but everyone this morning knew her by name and said hello. She recognized only one person, Mrs. Freed, who said her sinus infection had all but disappeared.
“Looks like I’m eating with the most popular person in Windsong,” Andrew said, taking his coffee and the white bag with their pastries inside.
“Jealous?” she teased.
“Of course I am,” he joked back. “You know how I like all eyes on me.”
At that exact moment, the strangest thing happened. She felt eyes on her. And not just any eyes—his eyes. How she knew it was Maverick, she didn’t know, but when she looked out the window, there he was. Standing on the sidewalk, staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face. She gave a little wave. The gesture seemed to wake him up from whatever trance he was in. He walked into the bakery and straight to their table.
“Morning,” he said.
“Good morning.” Andrew’s cheery voice rang a little over the top.
“Hi,” Kennedy said, feeling a touch shy all of a sudden. Bright sunlight spilled into the bakery, highlighting Maverick’s soulful azure eyes and the golden highlights in his brown hair.
“Want to join us?” Andrew asked.
“I got you something.” Kennedy held up the bag in her hand.
Maverick smiled, his dimples coming out to play, and she almost forgot how to breathe. “You did?”
“You did?” Andrew said.
She ignored the fact that her best friend had paid for their food and focused on her new friend. “I was going to bring it to you later but, since you’re here…” She gave him the bag.
He peeked inside it. “My favorites. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Okay, you two, enough already,” Andrew said amiably, pulling his croissant out of the bag. “Go canoodle already.”
“Andrew,” she warned.
“What? I said go canoe.” He handed her the bag with her doughnut, acting like he hadn’t accidentally on purpose made a play on words. “I’ll be fine here.” He eyed her meaningfully. “Really.”
“Okay, but it’s not even ten.” Still, she folded the bag over, implying she was ready to leave for the lake if Maverick was. An extra hour with him? Yes, please.