Love Schemes, Clouded Dreams

Let the love schemes begin!

Ansley thought she was done with small-town living for good until her life took an unexpected turn and sent her back to her old stomping grounds in Sugar Creek Falls.

Now, not only does she have to face the ghosts of her past, but also Matthew Tillman—her teenage crush turned biggest heartbreak.

But Ansley has a plan to settle the score and get over him for good, even if it means resorting to a little scheming.

As she gets closer to Matthew, however, old sparks reignite and she realizes that maybe, just maybe, he’s not the enemy she thought he was.

With betrayal and redemption on the line, will Ansley be able to stick to her plan, or will love prevail?

Love Schemes, Clouded Dreams is an age gap, small-town romance featuring a heroine with purpose and a loyal mechanic who needs more repair work than his customer’s vehicles.

Ansley

Seven years ago

“Admit it, already. You just want to see the hot mechanic,” Nicole says, not even trying to hide her laughter.

My high school bestie is a bitch. A lovable, wouldn’t-change-a-thing-about-her, bona fide bitch.

“Shut up. Getting the oil changed was totally Mom’s idea.” I look both ways before turning the Chevy Tahoe onto Main Street. It’s summer vacation. What better way to start the break than a trip to Tillman’s Garage?

Okay, that’s a stretch of the truth. There are much more desirable places to visit, but none of them house Matthew Tillman, aka the hot mechanic. Small sacrifices and all.

“Uh-huh. Let me guess. When your mom said she was heading out to get her oil changed, you raced down the stairs, snatched the keys from her hands, and ran out the door yelling, ‘I’ll do it!’” Nicole giggles.

See, a total bitch!

I can’t help but join in her laughter. “That’s not what happened.” I was in the living room. No steps were involved. “But can you blame me? Have you seen him?” I bite my lip, a wave of warmth flooding my core as I picture his tall frame.

His wavy, dark hair frames a striking face, but those eyes get to me. They’re deep brown, almost black, with golden flecks that dance like fireflies. A rush washes through me every time he directs his attention to me. His olive skin, smooth as silk, boasts a sun-kissed glow that speaks of countless hours spent outdoors. Full, inviting lips curve above a strong, masculine chin adorned with a neatly trimmed beard.

He’s a masterpiece—a living work of art that leaves me breathless.

“You’re not fooling me.” Nicole breaks through my vivid fantasy. “But be real. How do you see this playing out? Matthew’s your brother’s best friend.” Disapproval drips from Nicole’s words. She doesn’t understand this pull between Matthew and me. She thinks my crush stems from the attention he gives me—attention I wouldn’t receive if he weren’t Liam’s buddy.

But that isn’t true. Our connection runs deeper. I didn’t feel the lyrics from Taylor Swift’s “Invisible String” in my soul for nothing. It’s our destiny, or kismet, if you will.

Okay, I may be the only one who holds this opinion, but my man will come around. That’s what this year is about—making him fall for me. It’s a totally doable task which starts today.

“Liam would never approve.” Nicole’s hard truth snaps me out of fantasyland and into reality.

“My brother isn’t here. He’s too busy with life.” I drag the last word out, sounding bitter. Matthew quit coming around our house since Liam left for college. Given he is finishing his residency and won’t be home for a while, I don’t see that status changing. I must seize these moments with my future husband when I can. But I’m not that neurotic. Considering the fifteen-year age difference, I understand Nicole’s concern, but I don’t care. Age means nothing when it comes to love.

Or it won’t once I become legal.

And that line of thinking circles back to the yearly time frame. By next summer, I’ll be eighteen—old enough to break those social norms this town clings to as if progression is a four-letter word out to steal antiquated conventional thought.

Love shouldn’t have boundaries.

“That still doesn’t change the fact that he’s too old.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter. The first battle clearly starts with my best friend.

“There are no age limits for love. You’ll see. One day, he’ll stop seeing me as Liam’s baby sister and fall madly in love with me. He’ll bring me a bouquet of my favorite flowers and propose. Then we’ll have beautiful babies.” I turn onto Maple Grove and smile when the shop’s sign appears.

“You and your imagination.”

“Don’t shatter my dreams. It’s going to happen.” Seriously though. Why is being a dreamer so bad? I’ll admit most of the ideas running through my head never materialize, but this one will. We’re fated to be together. The vision of him down on a knee, gripping a bundle of forget-me-nots and a ring with the same clarity as a cloudless June sky, lingers in my mind. Yep, I just need to bide my time and wait for him to see me for more than Liam’s kid sister. We’re halfway there. He was the only one of my brother’s friends who noticed me.

“Okay, but do me a favor. Don’t make a fool of yourself with your scheming.”

“O ye of little faith. My master plan will be successful. Phase one is in effect. I’m all set to work for his mom this summer.” A deal I couldn’t have orchestrated any better if I had tried. I pull into a parking spot and kill the engine. “I’m here, so I’ll talk to you later.”

“Come over when you finish.”

“Will do.” I disconnect the phone call and grab the basket of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies—the second phase in my get-Matthew-to-fall-for-me plan. These baked treats are Matthew’s favorite—a fact I know because of the ungodly amount of time he has spent at my house. The scent of melting chocolate lured him into the kitchen every single time, so I made sure to help Mom whenever he was over. I lived for the slight wink he’d give me when grabbing a handful. It was our special moment. Since he doesn’t come around anymore, I thought I’d recreate that magic. I just hope they distract my future father-in-law enough to sneak past him to where Matthew works. A door separates the shop part from the lobby, and Mr. Tillman always sits at the front desk these days.

I brace myself to go inside, but when I pass through the entrance, it isn’t Mr. Tillman standing by the counter. It’s the six-foot, dark-haired Adonis of my dreams.

And he isn’t alone.

Katrina, a girl from town who wants to sink her claws into him, stands sidled up against Matthew, wearing a smug smile. 

Just perfect.

I push my oversized glasses up and stride past the not-so-happy-looking couple. Aren’t they standing way too close for a work establishment? Seriously. They can’t be a couple. Can they? Last I knew, he wasn’t dating anyone.

You’re supposed to notice me, not her!

With my phony grin still in place, I set the container of treats on the countertop and turn to confront them. “Hey, Matthew.”

“Hey, Squirt. Whatcha got there?” A lazy smirk stretches slowly over his features, but his attention isn’t directed at me. He spies the basket containing the bribe I brought for my future father-in-law. My heart beats in my throat. Is he aware of the power he holds over me?

“Chocolate chip cookies. Fresh from the oven. Just as you like.”

Those deep brown eyes snap to mine and hold. My insides melt, matching the cookie’s chocolate gooeyness from the warmth and familiarity in his stare. Why did I add just as you like? Ugh, that’s way too flirty, coming from a seventeen-year-old.

And in front of my competition, no less.

Not missing how his body shifts from Katrina, I clear my throat. “Anyway, Mom insisted you have some.” That’s a lie. It was me who wanted you to have them.

“Hmm, be sure to tell her thanks for me.”

“I will. She misses you.” Another lie. It’s me who pines for you. Although Mom likely misses him, just in a more platonic way.

“I need to come for a visit.”

“She would like that.” As would I.

Matthew reaches behind me and snags a treat, his aftershave wafting in the air, fresh and woodsy. He takes a bite and hums. I close my eyes momentarily, not hearing his adult voice, but the boy who coaxed me from the tree I climbed too far in. He was always rescuing me—the one who paid me attention. I try not to sigh, but I have no game here. How can I make a thirty-two-year-old fall in love with me? God, that sounds awful when I put numbers on it, but that’s why I’m strengthening our friendship base first. I have to start somewhere.

“Delicious as always. You make the best cookies.”

Unable to take the compliment, I suddenly find my feet interesting. My grandma used to proclaim the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. If I pull this reaction from baking, what will happen if I cook a full meal? “Don’t let Mrs. Gabel hear you say that. The town crowned her the top baker years ago.”

“I guess there’s a new reigning queen, then.” He steps closer and leans to grab another one. His proximity kicks my heart rate into overdrive. God, the urge to push to my toes and plant my lips on his is almost overwhelming. Would that be so bad? His gaze dips to my mouth for a fleeting moment, leaving me in a trance.

A throat clearing pops our bubble. Katrina steps forward, wraps her perfectly manicured hand around his biceps, and glares at me. We’re the same height, but I shrink inside myself from her intimidating stare.

“How’s Liam?” she asks.

At the mention of my brother, Matthew steps away from me, creating distance. And I swear she smirks.

I bite back a growl and answer, “He’s doing great. He’s working hard.”

Katrina leans closer to Matthew as if staking a claim. Does she want me to think they’re together? No, I mentally chastise myself. She wouldn’t view me as a threat. But still, if that was her plan, it worked. My entire body feels her possessive stake. I can’t compete with that while I’m currently in high school. Plus, she has game. So much game. Me? I have the classic nerdy look—oversized glasses, ungainly movements, and all.

“Will he be back soon? I’m sure your middle school friends have stars in their eyes for him.”

Middle School?

She knows damn well I’ll be a senior this year.

“I wouldn’t know. My friends don’t talk about him.” Much. “They’re busy picking out colleges to apply for.” Did I mention I have no game?

She rolls her eyes before turning to face Matthew. “What time will you be there tonight?”

“Seven. Listen, I better get back to work.”

“I’ll see you then.” She pushes on her toes and kisses his cheek rather seductively. His gaze drops to her cleavage. I want to scream as she brushes against him while reaching for a cookie, but then I want to smack her hand away.

Those aren’t for you.

Matthew runs a hand through his dark curls and grimaces as she steps through the door. “Sorry about that.”

“Are you two together?” Jesus. So much for being discreet. His relationship status is not my business, not yet, anyway.

“No. Definitely not.”

An engine roaring to life pulls my attention to the large picture window. The smug look Katrina sports states differently. “Are you sure about that?”

“I’ve told her plenty of times we’re just friends.”

“Then why are you going out?” God, I can’t stop. It’s word vomit all over the place.

A smirk tugs on that handsome face. “Are you jealous?”

“What?” My voice screeches. “No! Why would I be… Never mind.”

A deep chuckle fills the air. “I’m kidding, Squirt. I’ll have your car done in no time. Keys in it?”

“Yep.”

I try not to watch as his lean body walks away without another glance as Katrina’s car drives off.

Unbeknownst to me, the true bitch wasn’t my best friend but fate itself.

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