Page 30 of A Match Made In Fall

Immediately, my mind flashes to her encouraging me to text my ex that I have a boyfriend. And specifically, that Austin is my boyfriend.

My fake boyfriend. The same man I’m trying to get to know better. Who would probably run the other way if he knew about this.

Austin smiles as he slides open another drawer. “It must be nice being back with your family.”

I nod, leaning against the wall, taking some weight off my foot. “It is. And I love spending time with my nephew.”

There’s a brief pause before he says quietly, “I miss my family. I don’t get to see them much anymore.”

The distance between us grows smaller, and the noise from the others fades into the background for a second.

“I know how that feels,” I admit. “More than I’ve ever admitted.”

Our gazes lock on each other, and my stomach does a little flip.

“But that’s part of the deal when your career keeps you moving all the time,” he says. “Do you ever regret it?”

His question catches me off guard.

It’s something I’ve wondered more times than I can count. Especially after a long day on my feet, dancing until every muscle in my body aches and another holiday is spent away from home. I’ve sacrificed so much for this career, for the chance to do the thing I love more than anything else in the world. And most days, it’s worth it.

But sometimes it gets lonely. Not because I don’t have incredible friends and co-workers. They are all amazing and become a second family in a lot of ways. Still, it’s not the same as having people who’ve known you forever. Family is different, at least in my case. I know it’s not that way for everyone.

“Sometimes,” I admit finally.

Austin exhales, almost relieved by my honesty. “Same.” He leans back against the wall next to me. “And I really miss home-cooked meals. My dad’s a chef, so going home basically means eating like royalty for a week.”

I laugh. “Okay, that actually sounds wonderful.”

“It is,” he says seriously.

“Hey, Reed,” Nick calls from across the room, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Are you planning on talking all night, or are you going to help us?”

“We are helping,” Austin fires back immediately.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “I think we should try a little harder to look convincing.”

He snickers. “Maybe.”

Brad and Eloise discover another clue hidden beneath a loose floorboard, and suddenly everyone crowds around trying to decode the message that will lead us to the final room.

Honestly, I’ve almost completely lost interest in solving the mystery itself. My competitive side has officially taken a back seat to my growing interest in Austin.

Not that I’d ever say this out loud.

Still, Austin and I finally manage to focus long enough to piece together the last puzzle. The final lock clicks open, and we all cheer in excitement.

“And that,” Austin announces dramatically, “is how it’s done.”

Nick laughs. “Pretty sure you two wouldn’t have finished if the rest of us hadn’t carried the team for the last twenty minutes.”

Austin nods solemnly. “That’s fair. It was a group effort.”

“We do make a pretty great team,” Nick says.

Austin lifts his hand, making his way around the room giving everyone high fives. When he reaches me, our palms meet, but instead of pulling away immediately, his fingers linger against mine for an extra few seconds. My stomach instantly flips.

“We should go back to the café and get dessert,” Brad suggests. “I know the owner.”