“Meredith! Mer!” Cruz’s deep voice echoed across the open park area next to Main Street.
Meredith bit at her lip, felt her stomach flip happily, and slowly turned to face him. He was jogging across the grass to her, looking glorious in only his blue floral swimsuit and his smile. She heard murmurs around her and knew the town was going to love this, but all she cared to focus on was Cruz approaching her. He was so good-looking she could hardly look directly at him, especially that picture perfect chest. She could relate to how Zane felt.
She should’ve walked toward him, but she was frozen a few steps from her shop. He was forced to jog across the blacktop to her, and she winced thinking about the pounding his feet would take. He didn’t seem to notice or care as his broad smile never disappeared.
“Mer!” he exclaimed, crossing the last few steps and gathering her against him in a hug.
Meredith’s breath rushed out, and she didn’t waste a nanosecond as she slid her arms around his bare, broad, muscular, perfect back and leaned in. She clung to him, letting her cheek rub against the top of his chest, which was every bit as perfect as his back. It would’ve been embarrassing if he’d pulled away, but he didn’t. He kept on hugging her, and it was absolutely perfect in her mind. The memory of their one shared, stolen kiss, when he hadn’t even known it was her, surfaced. She felt warm and tingly all over from his touch and noticed all the ways he’d filled out since that kiss, but in other ways, he felt the exact same to her. He was still strong, irresistible, and able to make her think his arms were the spot she should take up permanent residence in. No traffickers or prowler could hurt her with Cruz around.
Finally, he pulled back and grinned down at her. “Sorry I’m getting you all wet.”
“I don’t care. I missed you.” She bit at her lip, and her eyes widened. She shouldn’t have admitted to that.
His smile somehow got even bigger. “Of course, you did. I’m your favorite.”
She laughed and almost admitted to him he was her favorite, in every which way. She hadn’t seen him near enough the past twelve years since he’d ditched Mystical Lake, but it always felt like they picked up where they’d left off. Just close friends. Darnit.
“You’re everyone’s favorite,” she said. “Come in and have an ice cream.”
“I don’t have my wallet on me.”
“It’s on the house, you dork. You’ll bring me all kinds of business.”
The bikinis were edging in from behind. All kinds of business indeed.
“You sure?” He folded his lovely arms across his tanned chest. “You don’t have a sign—no shoes, no shirt, no service?”
“Come on. Do you know me at all? I have a sign: Take your shirt off and get a free cone.” She winked, trying to act brave when truly seeing that glorious chest was giving her heart palpitations. She had a lot of men complimenting her and flirting with her, mostly vacationers. However, she was far too innocent and didn’t know how to act around a man as accomplished and perfect as Cruz, no matter that they’d been friends for years.
He laughed. “And that’s why I love you.”
Meredith’s smile faltered, and she tried to swallow down the lump in her throat but couldn’t. Instead, she spun and led the way into her shop. Cruz caught the door and held it, following her inside.
He paused and inhaled deeply. “Wow. It smells like heaven in here.”
She grinned with pleasure. “Homemade brownies, cookies, or waffle cone?”
He sniffed again. “I’m going with the brownies. They smell just like the ones you used to bring to the house. It all smells delicious though. I’m supposed to take a break and get my energy up before the next round of filming. I guess the most delicious ice cream on your homemade brownie will give me loads of energy for more tricks, right?”
“For sure.” She opened the fridge behind her and pulled out a water bottle, tossing it to him.
“Thanks.” He eased in close to the glass. Most people’s eyes were drawn to all the ice cream flavors on display in large tubs, but he was completely focused on her. The moment seemed to slow down as their eyes locked and held. She was lost in a sea of blue.
The door banged open behind him, and their brief moment alone was shattered. A crowd quickly filled the shop, complete with the beautiful bikini girls. She wanted to tell them that only Cruz was exempt from “no shoes, no shirt, no service” since none of them wore anything that could be counted as a shirt, but she’d never be that snarky.
Luckily, Meredith’s employees came in as well and started helping serve everyone. Meredith kept an eye on Cruz as he talked to people while emptying the water bottle and eating his treat—a scoop of moose tracks on top of a brownie with homemade hot fudge.
The shop was noisy, and everyone wanted Cruz’s attention more than they wanted homemade treats. Meredith liked watching him interact with the children and make them feel special. She wasn’t quite as excited about how he made the bikinis giggle. Several times he caught her eye and held it, giving her a smile that she felt was just for her. Was he just making her feel special like everyone else, or could she be someone important to him? She doubted the latter. Nothing had happened between them in twelve years, and it was unlikely to happen now.
The time passed too quickly, and then he was approaching the counter, grinning at her. “That was incredible, thank you.”
She nodded. “Glad you liked it.”
“I guess it’s back to work for me.”
She laughed. “Hard life you have,” she teased, but she knew how hard he’d worked to excel at his sports and his career. It hadn’t been an easy or quick path to success in a field where many wanted to excel. She was proud of the name he’d made for himself. She also knew his busy, visible career was why they’d never work, even if he finally did see her as something other than a friend. She’d never leave Mystical Lake, and as a naturally shy person, she had no desire to be in the public eye. Cruz ate up attention, and she doubted he’d ever settle back down in a quiet Montana valley, no matter how picture perfect and magical she thought her valley was.
He shrugged, and those beautiful muscles flexed. Meredith heard a few dreamy sighs and prayed she hadn’t been one of them. “It’s a rough job, but somebody’s got to do it.”
He started to turn as Meredith said, “Do you need another water?”
He turned back. “That’d be great, thanks.”
She pulled out another water bottle and held it over the counter. He took it, and their fingers brushed. A warm pleasure filled her at his simple touch. He stared from their hands to her face as if he’d felt it also.
He saluted her with the bottle. “I owe you, Mer. Thanks again. I’ll see you tonight?”
“For sure. Have fun out there.”
“Always.” He winked and turned away.
Meredith tried to focus on the next customer in line, but she couldn’t peel her gaze from his broad, retreating back. When the bikinis edged in to his sides and one of them asked, “What’s happening tonight, Cruz?” Meredith’s spine stiffened.
“Private party. Sorry girls.” He gave them a cheeky grin and pushed out the door, seeming oblivious to their drooping smiles and sad noises of disappointment.