by Ginny Baird
She laughed and playfully swatted his chest. Then she studied it again, running her hand along its top. “It’s amazing.” Emotion flickered in her eyes. “I love it. Really I do.”
Warmth spread through his chest. “I’m glad.”
She reached out and hugged him tightly. “Thank you.”
His heart soared as he held her close. Having her in his arms felt like heaven, almost like she fit there, and for a moment he didn’t want to let her go.
“You’re welcome,” he said hoarsely when they pulled apart. “Don’t forget to take it with you when you go.”
“I won’t.” She smiled. “I’ll use it every day and think of you.”
“In a positive way?” he joked. “Now that would be something.”
She laughed and more warmth flooded his soul. Turned out he liked making her happy—who’d have thought? And that realization made him want to do it again. He liked the thought of spending more time with her, just the two of them. Having fun, like they’d done while binge-watching all those house-hunting shows.
As they walked back to the cabin, he scanned the sky over the cove. “The sun’s almost down,” he said. “Maybe we should fix some tea or something and sit on the deck?”
“That sounds ideal,” she said.
A short time later, they both sat outside with their mugs, watching as the gorgeous horizon faded from orangey-purple to charcoal gray and then black.
Derrick had looked forward to more downtime alone with Meredith, but then she had to go back to that plan of hers by bringing Olivia up. “You were right, you know. Things with you and Olivia went super today.”
He frowned and sipped his tea. “Your matchmaking skills are stellar. I’ll give you that. Plus, they appear to be working.”
“That’s only because Olivia never lost interest in you.”
“You think?”
“Derrick.” Her dark eyes glimmered, but she looked a little sad again. “I’d lay money on it. I saw how she looked at you. She’s still interested. This isn’t going to be nearly as difficult as I thought.”
“Less work for everybody, I guess.” Though he wasn’t so sure he should be thinking of wooing his ex-wife as “work.” Did he want to woo her, really? That seemed like biting off a whole lot more than he could chew right now. Spending time together was probably the right move. See if anything was there. Maybe also to mend fences like he’d thought about before. If something grew between them, great. If not, at least he’d never wonder what-if.
He stole a peek at Meredith. Shockingly, he was enjoying spending time with her. Also, weirdly, getting kind of used to having her around. He admired her pretty profile, appreciating her smarts and strength. Her warmth and determination, too.
That warmth seemed to be missing tonight, though. Other than when he’d showed her his gift, she seemed distracted, her thoughts on something else.
He sat back in his chair and studied her. “Hey,” he asked gently. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
“Care to tell me what’s on your mind?”
Meredith shook her head and seemed to change her mind. “I’m sure it’s nothing. The important thing is that Olivia’s here, so let’s focus on that,” she said, looking up. “She’s repairing things with Sofia, and by extension William and your family. You’re up next.”
“You’re forgetting about Sally and my parents.”
“Hate to say so, but they’re secondary. Besides, your parents aren’t coming until Saturday.”
“We can’t count on Sally not to run interference,” he said. “She never liked Olivia much, and I can’t promise she’ll be any better now.”
“That’s why you need to meet with Olivia first,” Meredith said. “Solidify things between you before Sally arrives and is able to cast fresh doubts.”
“I’d planned to talk to her tonight before Sofia jumped in.”
“Maybe it’s better if you two go off on your own.”
“Off? Like where?”
She groaned. “Gee, I don’t know. You know Blue Hill better than I do. You keep saying that it’s hot here”—she shot him a pointed look—“why not go out for ice cream? Or have you forgotten how to date entirely?”
“Hey,” he protested. “I know how to date. I’m just making sure I don’t mess up your grand plan, whatever it is. It’s your syndication deal on the line.”
“Sorry,” she groused. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
“Okay, then.” He eyed her. “Ice cream is a great idea,” he said. “Even better, there’s a farm stand on the far side of town that sells homemade blueberry frozen yogurt. All organic. Olivia totally digs that sort of thing.” He paused. “At least she did.”
She looked past the deck and up at the darkened sky, and wrapped a lock of her dark hair around a finger. “Why don’t you give her a call and ask her?”
“What? Right this second?”
“She and Sofia are bound to be back by now.”
“All right.” He pulled his cell from his hip pocket and dialed Olivia’s number. Meredith had shared it with him earlier.
Olivia answered on the second ring. “Derrick? Oh hey!” She sounded pleased that he was calling and clearly still had his number on her list. “What a fun dinner that was with your grandparents.”
“Uh, yeah. It was great.” He hesitated, his stomach churning. “Did you have a nice walk with Sofia?”
“Very nice. We cleared up a lot of things, which was good.”
“I’m glad. She and William seem really happy that you could make it.”
Meredith made a fast-forward motion with her hands.
“Yeah, I’m happy that I made it, too,” Olivia said happily. “It’s been so great seeing you again.”
These were the words he and Meredith had hoped he’d hear and yet they didn’t hit the way he’d anticipated. “Yeah, um…about that. It’s been great seeing you, too, but I’m still thinking we need to talk.”
“Agreed.”
“So, I was thinking about a little outing tomorrow?” Olivia waited and so did Meredith, who had her eyebrows raised. “How does going for frozen yogurt sound?”
“Perfect.” Her smile practically sparkled through the phone. “Especially if it’s blueberry.”
She had to know it would be, so this made him chuckle. “Yeah.”
“Sounds great! What time?”
“How about if I pick you up after lunch? Say around two?”
“I’ll look forward to it then,” she said, ending the call.
Derrick stared at Meredith dumbfounded. “I’m actually going on a date with my ex-wife. Until this moment, I don’t think I ever really believed it’d happen.”
“You doubted me?” she asked, but her smile looked forced.
“So. Um. What should we talk about? Any topics I should avoid?”
“Derrick.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re the ladies’ man.”
“Sure, and you’re the matchmaker.”
“Yeah, I am.” She picked up her tea and sighed. “And a pretty great one it seems.”
…
Meredith tossed and turned on the lumpy sofa bed. It was ridiculous she was having trouble sleeping. She should have drifted right off into dreamland, fully accomplished in her mission. Getting Derrick and Olivia together had been a piece of cake. Wedding cake.
She recalled that happy grin on his face when he’d showed her that shoe rack and her heart ached. It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her. But then she got in her head about it because, sure, he’d made it for her, but he was probably dreaming up things to build Olivia. Like what? A manicure supply cabinet with a gazillion drawers. Why did the woman have such great nails? Probably because she had great everything.
She groaned, pulling her pillow o
ver her face. What on earth was wrong with her and why was she so grumpy? This was exactly what Meredith wanted, and Derrick had kept his end of the bargain so far. Her phone buzzed on the side table.
She sat up and switched on the light, grabbing her phone.
You and Derrick?
When were you going to tell me?
Uh-oh. That was from her friend Jackie. She must have caught wind of “the Matchmaker and the Boatbuilder” media story somehow. There’d been so much going on here, Meredith had completely forgotten to warn her. She’d tried calling Jackie during her drive up, but Jackie nearly never answered her personal calls. Then, afterwards Meredith had been so thrown into the thick of things, she’d mostly forgotten about the outside world beyond Blue Hill.
She dashed off a quick text.
In Maine at Derrick’s. Not what you think. Getting him back together with Olivia. Engagement story’s made up, but please don’t blab until I clear things up myself. Let’s grab lunch soon and I’ll explain everything! Love you!
She texted right back.
Wait? What? Olivia? She’s in Blue Hill, too?
Meredith and Jackie had once been really close, but they’d had a falling out after some of Jackie’s shenanigans last summer. Once things calmed down, they’d restored their friendship, but things hadn’t exactly been the same. They’d been working on it, though, and still kept up casually by grabbing drinks once in a while. Sometimes lunch or a movie.
Meredith typed in her reply.
Yeah. She’s staying at the guest cottage.
And, you’re at Derrick’s cabin…with him?
Meredith didn’t miss the nosy innuendo.
Everyone’s here for Julia’s christening.
Oh yeah. Hope said she was going to that. Wait.
How did you wind up there?
Meredith startled when she heard a rumbling sound coming from the bedroom. The door was slightly ajar but it was dark inside. The rumbling sound happened again and she realized it was Derrick snoring. At least she wouldn’t have to live with that. Olivia would.
Look, she answered Jackie, gotta run. Let’s meet up when I get home!
All right.
There was a break then another text followed by a shamrock emoji.
Good luck!
Meredith was about to put away her cell when Jackie texted a final time.
Love you!
This message was followed by a heart emoji. Jackie had become really sentimental in her texts ever since her basic breakdown last summer. The hard edges of her personality had also softened a bit. She’d even connected with a nice guy, and they’d been going out for a few months. Meredith hoped things would work out for her this time. Despite her insecurities, Jackie did have her good side and was a decent person underneath. Twelve months of counseling and meditative yoga had helped a lot with that.
Meredith set aside her phone and climbed from the sofa bed, suddenly famished. Though the dinner at the Albrights had been delicious, she hadn’t eaten as much as she normally did, because she’d strangely lost her appetite. It was probably sitting across from perfect Olivia that had done it. The woman had an amazing figure even though she ate like a horse. A horse with good table manners, but still.
Meredith shook off her annoyance at being called “Mare” by Derrick. Sometimes she didn’t mind it, but tonight it had rubbed her the wrong way. Especially after hearing how he’d called Olivia “Sweet Pea.” Seriously? Gah. Maybe she should start teasing him back by calling him “Dare” to see how he liked it?
Her stomach rumbled. What she wouldn’t give for some nice chocolates. Melt-in-your mouth silky designer chocolates. Oh yeah. She could eat an entire box. Her gut contracted painfully and she realized this wasn’t helping one bit.
But chocolate would. If she could find it.
Derrick didn’t strike her as the baking sort, but maybe he kept chocolate chips around? Or a hidden stash of candy bars? Maybe he even had something left over from last Halloween, stored in his freezer?
Now she was getting desperate. No way did Derrick get trick-or-treaters living way out here. She rummaged through the pantry and checked some cabinets, but was disappointed to find nothing more exciting than canned soups, oatmeal, and grits. He had an unopened bag of chips, but Meredith was in the mood for sweet—not savory.
Then she yanked open the freezer compartment.
Score! Two whole pints of double-chocolate-chunk ice cream!
She popped the lid off of one and then the other, noting that both containers were still covered by a protective plastic covering. Neither had been opened.
Meredith bit her lip, considering her options. Then her stomach contracted again.
Okay. This is fine. I mean, didn’t Derrick just offer me ice cream for dessert?
That was yesterday, but surely he wouldn’t mind her having a tiny scoop now.
She set one pint container on the counter and took a bowl out of the cabinet. After locating an ice cream scoop, she served herself one nice round ball.
Ooh, that looks so good with walnuts in it and everything. Chewy caramel chunks, too.
Her mouth watered and she served herself another scoop.
Who was she kidding?
She went with two more, so she had a total of four.
Happily satisfied, she carried her bowl back to the sofa bed and snuggled down under the covers, her back propped against a pillow.
One bite of ice cream and… Ahhh, this is heaven.
She glanced at the book that Chad had given her and thought about reading. Then she decided she wasn’t up for a bunch of happily-ever-afters tonight. No, thanks. She’d much rather enjoy this chocolatey frozen treat, while trying not to think about Derrick’s date with Olivia. Of course it was for yogurt, and of course it was blueberry. So healthy. Olivia probably couldn’t even spell chocolate. Oh yeah, she went to law school. So never mind, she probably could. Maybe even in Latin. That would give her and Derrick one more thing in common.
Meredith scarfed down her ice cream, realizing that four scoops weren’t nearly enough. They’d been smallish scoops anyway. So one more helping would make up for their subpar size.
She grumbled and got out of bed, carrying her empty bowl back into the kitchen.
Part of her brain set out a warning signal: Wait! Stop! Stress eating!
But other parts of her honestly didn’t care. Like her mouth and her stomach.
She yanked open the freezer door, noting that the open pint on the counter was pretty much empty. What a rip-off these tiny cartons were! Barely even a one-person serving. Her gaze lingered on the second pint, just sitting there waiting. Tempting her with its deliciousness.
She couldn’t possibly eat all of Derrick’s ice cream. Not that he’d likely even notice. Not once he was in his happy love bubble after his stellar afternoon outing with model-like Olivia.
She opened the second pint container, peeling back its plastic covering, and it looked just as good as the first one had. All pristine across the top, like a glistening chocolate pond just waiting for her to dive in, and so she did. And then she did again with the big ice cream scooper. Oh who cares?
Things between Derrick and Olivia will be sewn up soon enough.
She scooped again.
Then they’ll be in love.
Just one more scoop. No, two.
Possibly even getting married.
And making those beautiful babies together.
She paused in her ice cream scooping and sighed.
While I’ll go home to my empty apartment in Boston and eat raw slice-and-bake cookie dough out of the freezer.
She reached the bottom of the container and—scrape, scrape, scrape—scraped it clean.
Chapter Eighteen
Meredith woke up feeling totally grossed out from her sugar coma. How much
ice cream had she eaten?
Oh yeah.
She pulled the covers over her head.
All of it.
“Good morning,” Derrick said from the kitchen and sounding awake. Unlike her. Ugh. “Coffee?”
Meredith lowered the blankets and rubbed her eyes. “Coffee sounds good, thanks.”
“How’d you sleep?” he asked. Naturally, he was in a good mood. He was taking Olivia out for ice cream. No. Scratch that. Frozen blueberry yogurt. Only low-fat and healthy would do. Which had totally been her idea. Yay. She should be so proud of herself.
Only she wasn’t.
Meredith propped herself up on her elbows. “Okay, and you?”
“Slept like a baby.” Sunlight flooded the kitchen behind him as he carried over a coffee mug and set it down on the table beside her. She nodded in thanks.
“Yeah, so I heard.”
His forehead rose, then fell. “Oh no, was I snoring?”
She pinched her thumb and forefinger together. “Just a smidge.”
He winced. “Sorry. Olivia used to say I snored like a bear.”
“Huh.”
He shook his head. “That’s how she got her nickname for me: Cuddly Bear.”
Ick. A big tough guy like him called Cuddly Bear? No. She couldn’t see it. Imagining Olivia saying it was even worse. Cuddly Bear, coo-coo-coo. Baby talk. Ick. Ick. Ick.
“And she was Sweet Pea, how cute.” Meredith hated that her tone dripped with sarcasm. Why should she care?
Derrick seemed to be wondering that, too. He set his hands on his hips. “Is something wrong?”
Meredith sipped from her coffee, which was nice and strong. Good. She needed a swift kick this morning. Like, in the brain. Did I really eat all that ice cream? Whyyyy????
“Nope, not really,” she answered him. “I was just thinking of nicknames, and the one you call me.”
“Oh yeah?” He sat down beside her in a chair as she propped herself up in the sofa bed.
“Yeah. And I’ve decided I should call you one, too.”