Page 36 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

“She helped me with this,” he told her, grabbing the Pura Vida bag from his backpack. “And believe me, you’re going to want this now. Want me to wrap it first?”

“No, no,” Evangeline said, her eyes lighting up. “You know I’m not good at waiting for presents.”

“Here you go,” he told her, holding it out. “Merry Christmas, Buttons.”

He watched as she pulled out the dress, her eyes lighting up as she pulled it close to her and spun around.

“I love it,” she exclaimed. “It’s perfect for the Christmas party. And it has pockets.”

“Her mom made it, and she said the wrap top works for feeding the baby somehow too,” he said, pleased that she was pleased. “If you want to wear it after he gets here.”

“Oh, that’s so nice,” she said, pulling the dress back to examine the top part.

“There’s one other thing in there too,” Rory told her.

She smiled and fished around in the bag, pulling out the slippers.

“They’re so cozy,” she said happily, stroking the soft knit.

“Ana made those,” he told her, feeling a burst of pride.

“Wow,” Evangeline said. “She really is the total package.”

“Wait until you taste the soup she taught me to make,” Rory said.

“I really don’t think you should text Maggie,” Evangeline said, turning to him with a serious expression. “Not without telling Ana how you feel first.”

“Too late,” he said, shrugging. “I texted her before I came over. Asked her out for tomorrow night.”

One way or another, he was going to figure out how Ana really felt about him.

10

ANA

Ana got through the day as best she could, but her head ached and her stomach twisted every time she let her thoughts get away from her.

Rory had sent her a text to let her know that he’d asked Maggie out, and that she’d agree to go to the Village Green with him.

Ana read it and stuck her phone back in her pocket without even replying.

But the longer she tried to ignore her feelings, the more her mind spun and her stomach felt like she was rocketing down a roller coaster.

Ana had been so convinced that once Rory was officially going out with Maggie, it would be a clean break, and easy to let go of her silly fantasies. She had never in her life indulged in a crush on another girl’s boyfriend, and she certainly wasn’t going to start now.

But her foolish heart didn’t seem to have gotten the message.

So now she was feeling sorry for herself every second that she wasn’t distracted with work. And the mention of the most innocent things sent her unwelcome waves of jealousy.

It was bad enough to know they were going on a date, but to make matters even worse, the Village Green was the nicest restaurant in town, and it was right across the street from Pura Vida. The beautiful brick and glass facade tormented her all day as she pictured Rory and Maggie stepping into the plush lobby and curling up in a mahogany booth, or relaxing outside on the patio, the copper heating lanterns flickering as the two of them enjoyed a romantic meal.

What have I done?

But it didn’t matter. If Rory wasn’t right for her family, then Rory wasn’t right for Ana. And if she cared about him like she claimed, then she should want him to be happy. And if Maggie made him happy, then she wanted Maggie for him.

She just wished she didn’t have to have a front-row seat for it.

Outside, the last of the twilight finally disappeared and stars twinkled over Trinity Falls as Ana tried and failed to focus on her work.