Page 48 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

Evangeline shrugged, but she had never been a good liar. A smile tugged up at the corners of her mouth, though she was clearly trying to fight it.

“Did you two have fun taking the boys to the park?” she asked.

“We did,” he told her. “Especially Ana, because she got to play matchmaker again.”

“What are you talking about?” Evangeline asked, scrambling up from her cozy nest.

“She told me I should ask Maggie out again,” Rory said, frowning. “Said I should take her to a costume thing.”

“The fundraiser at the elementary school?” Evangeline asked. “For the school library?”

“Yeah,” Rory said. “I think so.”

“That’s a really big event,” Evangeline said. “A lot of people will be there. That’s the kind of thing you take someone to when you really like them.”

He shrugged, wishing he could tell her he was taking Ana instead.

“Can’t you just tell Ana that you like her?” Evangeline asked softly. “What would it hurt?”

“Our friendship,” he said right away. “I don’t need to force her to tell me why it won’t work with us. She’s made her feelings pretty clear.”

He didn’t mention how much it would also hurt his pride.

“Well, you can’t take Maggie to that event,” Evangeline said.

“I won’t have to,” he mumbled.

“Why not?” Evangeline asked.

“The first date was… not good,” he said.

“How so?” she asked him.

“We were awkward,” he said. “And when I told her about work, she checked her phone.”

“In fairness, you don’t really have all the glamour and intrigue of an international spy,” Evangeline teased him. “And you do go off on tangents about carburetors and all.”

“I guess so,” he said.

He supposed she was right. But Ana never checked her phone when they talked. And even though she knew more about the owners than the vehicles, she seemed to enjoy hearing about his work.

“Well, Maggie’s a great girl,” Evangeline said. “But you two aren’t right for each other. Do you want me to talk to Ana for you?”

“And tell her what?” Rory asked.

“That she should give up on finding you a match unless it’s her?” she offered.

“Nah,” Rory said, chuckling. “I’m okay.”

“She’ll come to her senses eventually,” Evangeline said with a confidence Rory didn’t feel. “Until then, just don’t accidentally get yourself married off to someone else while you’re trying to please her.”

“Mama,” Leo said, waking himself the rest of the way up and wiggling his hands at his mother.

“There you are,” she cooed. “I heard you went to story time and you went to the park.”

The boy grinned at her in his lovelorn way and Rory felt it in his chest.

One day I’ll have a family of my own.