Miss. Matchmaker |✓

Chapter 34

"Oh. Hey." She hadn't bothered to hide the disappointment in her voice as she flung open the door, the smile slipping off her face. Her dirty blonde hair swept just above her shoulders, falling in loose curls; while big doe like eyes stared up at me no frames to conceal them.

"Hey, is Dustin here?" I offered a small smile, though she ignored it and moved along with the door allowing me room to enter.

"Yeah, he'll be down in a sec." She hauled a stray piece of hair behind her ear and her arm immediately went to cradle onto the opposite one's elbow. She wore a plaid skirt, that had blue and white running in opposite directions, her navy blue tank was tucked into it and the white cardigan she wore overtop said she was getting ready for a big night.

"You look very pretty, Mabel." I complimented and watched as the slightest bit of red ran up her neck.

"Thank you." She replied and glanced once up the staircase.

There was a sitting area off to the side, small with a loveseat and rocking chair, I moved to sit in the loveseat while Mabel shut the door trapping the cold air outside. "Are you waiting for someone?" I took a moment to take in the décor which was without a doubt courtesy of Mabel, if Dustin were in charge the cozy country look would have had more of a hunting lodge vibe with deer heads mounted on every wall, though one was tastefully displayed above the fireplace.

She shot her head in my direction as I said this and stuttered before conjuring up a proper answer, "Huh? Oh, yeah yeah." My palms sweated the slightest bit as I expected a snappy answer but was left with a rather polite one.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be very impressed." I winked at her and she offered a shy smile before huffing out a breathe and drawing her eyebrows together; making quick footwork over to where I was sitting.

She sat down next to me and twisted her body so that she was facing me, "thank you, and I just want you to know that I am sorry." Mabel said this all in one breath, I know it was difficult for her. She fiddled with a button on her cardigan and refused to make direct eye contact with me.

"There is nothing you have to be sorry for, I'm the one who should be apologizing." Reaching across I placed my hand on her shoulder in what was supposed to be a kind gesture, though she flinched which caused me to retreat my hand. "Sorry."

"It's quite alright," her voice was soft and her accent was just barely noticeable, "if it hadn't been for my big, stupid mouth you and Dustin wouldn't have had that argument." Her refusal to meet my eye told me that she felt an immense feeling of guilt.

"It's okay, truly, if it wasn't then I wouldn't be here." I pointed out and a soft laugh flowed from her. "Now, who's the lucky boy." I wiggled my eyebrows at her, she looked up seeing this and scrunched her freckled nose.

"Ew, Dustin does that." I laughed at her expression and examination, "but his name is Wyatt." My smile faltered for the slightest moment though I regained composure. Part of me was disappointed to not hear Colton's name slip from between her lips, though it wasn't my decision.

"He sounds familiar." I answered, instead of interrogating her about Colton.

Her eyes seemed to grow bigger at hearing this, full of happiness, "well he is the best first baseman this school has seen in a long while." She smiled, her tone telling me she was proud of knowing this.

I mirrored her smile, "just make sure he treats you right."

"That's right, or else he'll have me to answer too." Dustin's voice struck through the air and I felt a chill down my spine closing my eyes as he wrapped a muscled arm around my shoulders. "Hey girly." He greeted me and I smiled while mouthing a 'hey' back at him. There was the slamming of a car door that was followed by a knock at the door a minute later, Dustin was fast to head for the door with Mabel hot on his heels.