Mad About Matt (A Red Maple Falls Novel #1) Read online

  Shay went around the counter and walked over to a couple sharing a plate of cookies. Matt recognized them as Martin and Judy Clark, a middle-aged couple who always followed the speed limit and stopped at the crosswalk.

  That beautiful smile reappeared as Shay approached them.

  Matt knew when he was being blown off. He placed the papers back on the counter and walked out, hoping Shay would at least look at the information before tossing it into the trash.

  ***

  Shay felt Matt’s presence slip away as she heard the door open and shut. She kept her attention focused on the Clark’s as they told her about their newest adventure in mountain biking. They were newly empty nesters and were trying to find ways to fill their time. Shay thought it was adorable and loved listening to their stories of discovery.

  Next week they had signed up for a glass blowing class at Kate’s studio. They were all about exploring all the things Red Maple Falls had to offer—things they never had a chance to do because they were busy raising a family, nurturing their children, and setting them out into the world on their own.

  More than anything, Shay envied them. When they spoke about their adventures, they laughed and smiled, but when they spoke about their children, their faces lit up, eyes sparkling with love and admiration.

  Shay could only guess what that felt like, and the older she got the more she came to realize she would never know for sure. Her biological clock was ticking away the days faster and faster, and pretty soon her window would be gone.

  Growing up as an only child, she dreamed of a big family to call her own. A house full of children just like the Hayes. Whenever she’d be invited over for dinner during her summers in Red Maple Falls, she’d pretend she was a part of their family. That she had brothers to disagree with and sisters to hang out with. Those moments defined what she wanted out of life.

  She loved her grandparents fiercely, but even their love wasn’t enough to fill the void her heart always bared—the small part that wanted a little brother or sister, someone else to have in her corner when her mother was unreasonable and her father was too busy working.

  “Have you ever tried, Shay?” Judy Clark’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  “Mountain biking? No, I’d hurt myself.”

  Martin Clark laughed. “That’s the fun part.”

  “Maybe for you. I don’t think I’m as tough. I prefer to use my feet to get around.”

  “What about glass blowing?” Judy asked.

  Shay shook her head. Even though her best friend was the owner and taught classes, Shay had never gone to one. “Afraid not. You’ll have to tell me how it goes.”

  “You should come,” Judy said.

  It was a thought she mulled over for a moment. When she moved to Red Maple Falls her intention was to rest, but it was also to step out of her comfort zone—to experience things, she’d never experienced before. Somehow with the opening of the bakery, she’d fallen into a routine and that part of her dreams became a casualty to hard work and dedication.

  “I wish I could, but I have to be here.”

  Judy took Shay’s hand in hers and smiled up at her. “Take it from us, dear. Don’t wait too long to start going after life. Because one day you’ll realize it came and went and you missed it.”

  “I won’t,” Shay said, taking their empty cups and excusing herself.

  She put the mugs shaped like cupcakes into the dishwasher and wiped the counters down. She was caught up on orders for once and actually had time tonight to go do something if she really wanted to.

  The only problem was there really wasn’t much to do in her little town that didn’t require a sign-up or going out into nature. Her town. Thinking the words brought a smile to her face. She’d lived in New York her whole life and never felt like she truly belonged. This town accepted her from day one without judgement.

  Her cell phone rang, and she slipped it out of her apron pocket. Mom flashed across the screen and every muscle in her body tensed.

  Judy’s words echoed in Shay’s head. Don’t wait too long to start going after life. Her whole life she’d been going through the motions, doing whatever it was her mother expected of her, and trying to live up to an unrealistic expectation and for what? Moving out of New York was a defying moment for her. She finally chose how she would spend her days, where she would live and who she would associate with. Unfortunately, every time her mother called, it was like she never left.

  Her mother would find some way to belittle her, offer a backhanded compliment or make her feel like a complete and total failure because she wasn’t married to some trust fund baby, jet setting around the world while her children were left to nannies.

  Shay liked a simple life, and that was something her mother would never understand, and she was sick and tired of trying to convince her otherwise. Still, Shay didn’t know how to break the vicious cycle. The only thing she could do was put off answering a little longer.

  She ignored the call and slipped her phone back into her apron pocket, grateful for the sweet smells of her bakery that comforted her.

  She took a deep calming breath, finding her bearings. The Clarks stood from their table, and Shay waved to them as they headed out, wishing them luck on their newest adventure.

  A few more hours and she’d be able to flip the open sign to closed and spend an evening doing whatever the hell she wanted. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she was excited anyway.

  Her phone rang again in her pocket, and she deflated. She reached for it and a wave of relief rushed over her when she noticed a different, friendlier name flashing on the screen.

  “Daisy, hi!” she said.

  “Is this a bad time?”

  “No. Not at all. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing really.” Her voice lacked its usual vibrato, coming across dull and weak.

  “Daisy, what’s wrong?”

  When Daisy Hayes had moved to New York City, Kate had given her Shay’s number in case she needed someone to help her settle in. She’d called Shay a few months later, homesick, overwhelmed, and completely beaten down.

  The last time Shay had seen Daisy she was four-years-old, but she was Kate and Matt’s little sister, and Shay had been happy to help. She’d dropped everything, cancelled a meeting with a client who she didn’t care for anyway, and taken a cab to the address Daisy had given her.

  According to Kate, Daisy had been chasing her dreams of making it on Broadway and was having the time of her life while doing it. Meeting people, making connections and having so many auditions, she had to pick and choose which ones she wanted to go for.

  Shay had found a different story when she arrived. Daisy’s studio apartment was not in the greatest area and the place was small for one person no less the three girls that were rooming together. Her curly blonde hair had been pulled back, her shirt too baggy and her jeans ripped at the knee. Shay had wondered when was the last time she had a proper meal and why exactly did her sister think that everything was okay.

  Daisy had apologized repeatedly for calling Shay. She just hadn’t had anyone to turn to and the last thing she’d wanted to do was tell her family she was a failure. That she’d made a mistake and moving to the big city wasn’t what she had hoped for.

  Shay had taken her out to dinner that night, made sure she ate until she was full, and then had enough to bring home that would hopefully last her a couple days.

  After that, Shay had made a point to check on her every couple of weeks, promising herself if she didn’t see a change, she’d tell Kate even though she promised Daisy she wouldn’t.

  Luckily, she never had to. Daisy had looked better and better every time Shay had seen her. She even landed a small role in an Off-Broadway play. She’d been so proud of her she had taken her out to celebrate that night.

  There may have been a thirteen-year age gap between the two, but Shay had never felt like she was babysitting when they had gone out together. Daisy was a good girl and most of all she had become a great friend. When Shay had told her, she was moving back to the place Daisy left behind, there’d been a few tears shed, but Shay had known in her heart that Daisy didn’t need her anymore. She was ready to face the world on her own.

  But she knew that tone in Daisy’s voice. It was familiar, sad, and broken down. Something was wrong.

  “Daisy, you can talk to me. You know that.”

  “I know.”

  “Then talk to me.”

  “I didn’t get the part.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m starting to get used to it, you know? The rejection. It stings a little in the beginning, but then I just become numb to it.”

  “It’s making you stronger.”

  “You always have a positive spin on things. I wish I could be like that.”

  “You will. This wasn’t the one. The right part will come along, and everything will click into place. You’ll see. Give it time.”

  “It’s been three years, Shay. How much more time do I have to give it? How much more time before I say screw it and head home with my tail in between my legs and admit to everyone that I’m a big epic failure?”

  “You left home, a small town, the only place you’ve ever known, and moved to one of the biggest cities in the world. You have worked tirelessly toward achieving your dreams; that is not in any way an epic failure. That is honorable and amazing. You are amazing, Daze. You don’t need a stage and a spotlight to prove that.”

  “Thank you. That’s why I call you. You always know exactly what to say.”

  “Call me anytime. I have pep talks for days.”

  “I will. Thanks again.”

  “You’re welcome. Now get out of your pajamas and go for a walk.”

&nbsp
; “How do you know I’m in my pajamas?”

  “Are you?”

  “Maybe,” Daisy said with a laugh, and Shay knew it was just another bump in the road. By tomorrow, Daisy would be fine, but she’d make sure to give her a call just to be sure.

  Chapter 7

  The movie theater right off of Main consisted of a tiny snack area that sold stale popcorn and candy and had only two screens that sat twenty-five people in each theater. They didn’t have any new releases since the industry switched over to digital and the theater couldn’t afford the upgrade. Due to this the theater played whatever they still had on the old fashioned 35mm films. The seats were small and the floor was sticky, but on Wednesday nights they stayed open a little later and had a double feature for six dollars.

  Shay wasn’t sure what the evening’s selections would be, but she also liked the surprise of not knowing. She could just as easily go home and watch something on Netflix, but there was something about watching a movie on the big screen while the scent of popcorn lingered in the air.

  It was a beautiful night as spring moved toward summer. The air was cool, and the promise of warmer days was on the horizon. She decided to take advantage of the weather, leave her car parked at the bakery, and walk over to the theater.

  The retro building sat behind the other businesses on Main with a lit-up sign announcing the day’s features. Tonight, would be Back to the Future one and three. Perfect, she thought as she pulled the door open, immediately surrounded by the buttery scent of popcorn.

  There was a small booth to the right, set into the wall. Halfway up the wall was a thick pane of Plexiglass that had two openings—one for communication and the other to exchange money for tickets. Shay greeted the boy who couldn’t be older than sixteen and asked for a ticket for the double feature.

  Once she received her ticket she made a stop at the tiny snack stand because it simply wasn’t a movie without stale popcorn. There was no one in line, and she was starting to think she might be the only person in the entire theater accept for the two employees when she heard a familiar voice over her shoulder.

  Shay spun to see Matt talking to the kid behind the wall. His lips quirked in a sweet smile. Her heart quickened at the sight of him in a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. Only Matt Hayes could make flannel look that good.

  What was he doing here? He did not seem like the type of guy who would go to the movies alone. He was more of the outdoorsy type who hung out in nature, not in old musty theaters.

  “Can I help you?” the young girl with long red hair and a nose ring behind the counter asked.

  Shay quickly diverted her attention from Matt. She offered the girl a smile and tried not to focus on the erratic beating of her heart.

  She stepped forward, suddenly on a mission to get her popcorn and get to the theater before Matt noticed her. He would only harass her about putting unnecessary cameras in her shop and ask her about the damn papers he left behind. Truth be told, she barely gave them a glance before tossing them in the trash.

  It was stupid and expensive. Besides, it was her shop, and she left New York to get away from people telling her what to do; she wasn’t about to cave to Matt Hayes because she couldn’t resist those green eyes and sexy smirk.

  “Popcorn, please.”

  “What size?” the girl asked.

  “Small.”

  “Oh. Sorry we’re out of small bags. We only have large.”

  Then why did she ask? Never mind. Now wasn’t the time for twenty questions. Shay just wanted her popcorn so she could slip into the theater and hide from Matt. “Large is just fine.”

  The girl scooped the popcorn and hesitated before turning to Shay. “Would you like extra butter?”

  Shay shook her head. “Good the way it is.”

  Matt was still talking to the kid behind the wall, which meant Shay still had a chance to slip into the darkened theater unnoticed.

  The girl brought the popcorn over, and Shay grabbed it, holding out a five-dollar bill.

  “Would you like to add a medium soda for an additional two dollars?”

  “Just the popcorn.”

  “You save fifty cents.”

  “Just the popcorn,” she said again, quickly glancing over her shoulder to make sure Matt was still at the window.

  “It’s a really good deal.”

  “I bet it is, but I don’t need a soda. Thanks.”

  “Would you like to donate a dollar to help maintain the theater.”

  “Sure,” Shay blurted before the girl could finish. “Tell you what, keep all the change.”

  Shay took off toward theater two where the movie was being shown and slipped through the door, letting out a sigh of relief as she settled into a seat at the far right.

  Trivia questions appeared on the screen, and since they were the same questions shown for the past ten years, Shay knew every answer. Local ads also appeared, and she thought about getting one for the bakery. Then again, would there be a return on her investment? This place was becoming more and more obsolete as the new wave of streaming online took over. Who would she be advertising to? A few people who most likely went to her bakery anyway.

  On the other hand, without the contributions from other local businesses the theater probably would have closed a long time ago. It wasn’t about her return on investment, it was about keeping the nostalgia of the community and her childhood alive.

  She’d spent many rainy summer days here with her grandmother and many nights with Kate and even a few with Matt. This place was as much a part of her personal history as it was for the town. Making a profit didn’t matter, but keeping the place alive did. She made a mental note to speak to someone about buying an ad.

  The lights dimmed, and she was the only person amongst the seats. She wondered if there was another movie playing, and if Matt had chosen that one when the door opened, lighting a path down the aisle.

  Matt stepped into the theater, and suddenly the walls seemed to close in, the air seemed to evaporate, and the temperature spiked at least twenty degrees.

  She inhaled quickly, causing her to choke on a piece of popcorn. Her eyes watered and burned as she tried her hardest to keep from coughing. The last thing she wanted was for Matt to see her. Right now, she blended into the shadows, and if she didn’t make a sound or any sudden movements he might keep walking. She reached for the cup holder only to remember she refused a soda. Damn it. She imagined the snack girl giving her an I told you so smirk as the desire to cough became too much.

  Her lips parted, and she coughed loud enough that it rose above the sound of the movie starting. Once it started she couldn’t stop, no matter how hard she tried. Matt turned to her, and she tried to hide her face with her hand, but it was a pathetic attempt and completely ineffective.

  “Shay?” Matt said as he came closer and she realized that, yes, he absolutely did smell as good as he looked. “Geez are you okay?”

  She tried to talk, but the damn popcorn scratched the back of her throat, and all she managed was a squeak before she started coughing again.

  “Here, drink this.” He held a cup out to her, and she took it without a second of hesitation, sucking down the cool, soothing liquid.

  Afraid if she spoke she’d go into another coughing fit, she held the cup up and out to him. He took it as he sat next to her, surrounding her completely in his delicious scent. A moment ago, her mouth was bone dry as she nearly choked to death and now it was salivating.

  “You okay?”

  Still unsure if she was able to speak, she nodded.

  “If you weren’t, I’m trained in the Heimlich and CPR,” he said with a laugh, but now all she could think about was his mouth on hers. “But I’m happy you are.”

  “Thank you,” she finally managed. “Just a little piece of popcorn, nothing serious. You can go enjoy the movie now.”

  He didn’t even attempt to get up; instead he leaned back in the chair, his legs spreading wide as his thigh grazed hers.

  She swallowed at the contact, trying not think about the hard muscles she imagined hid beneath his clothes.

  “Wouldn’t have guessed you as a Back to the Future fan,” he said with that adorable smirk.