Hopper cast me a look. He didn’t say a word, but I knew he was thinking of last night and what I’d said to him. How verysinfulI’d been.
“I’m going to make a batch of Christmas cookies, too,” I said. “I want to package up some of those decorating sets you used to do. Do we have any extra icing or sprinkles?”
“No, you’ll have to run into town,” Mom said. “Sorry, hon. Things have been crazy with your dad’s recovery.”
I finished frosting the last roll and moved to the sink to rinse the frosting bowl.
“Don’t apologize. That’s why I’m here. To help pick up the slack.” I dried my hands on a dish towel. “I’ve got to go open the shop. I’ll get the cinnamon rolls out for sale, and then, Mom, if you can cover for a couple of hours, I’ll run to the store and get those supplies to finish the cookie kits.”
“Of course, Noel. If you weren’t here, I’d be running the shop all day, anyway. Two hours is more than fine, sweetie.”
I turned to Hopper. “Maybe we can hang those Christmas lights by the entrance after we close?”
Hopper sipped his coffee. “Actually, I’ve got plans to go out tonight.”
“Oh.”
“Business should be slower next week. We can tackle it then.”
“Okay.”
But where was Hopper going tonight? To find a hookup at the bar? Or worse, to meet a hookup he’d previously arranged? Or a boyfriend. Oh, shit. Why hadn’t I considered the possibility that he had a boyfriend? Hopper was a catch. Ofcoursehe’d have a boyfriend.
I thought of what I’d said to him last night in that new light, and I wanted to sink through the floor and disappear.
“If you really want the lights up sooner, I can try to fit it in on my own today,” Hopper said, misreading my spiraling. “It’ll be busy, but?—”
“No.” I laughed awkwardly. “Sorry, I was just thinking of all this baking I need to get done. So busy!”
“Okay.” He stood and brought his small dessert plate and coffee cup to the sink. “Just don’t work too hard, Noel. How will we go on when you leave?”
I tried for a smile and missed. “Oh, I know you’re perfectly capable without me. I’m just trying to make up for some lost time.”
“Well, you’re efficient as hell. Slow down and stay for a while. Your parents like having you around.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Hopper ran his cup under the faucet. “Good. And while you’re at it, try to remember that they don’t love you for your food, Noel. You can just…be here, you know?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Says the man with frosting in his beard.”
He set down his cup and ran his hand over his beard, ears turning red. “Dang beard is always catching everything in it.”
“A built-in napkin,” I teased.
“The cinnamon roll was delicious,” he said. “I’m not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but if you put something tasty in front of me, I’m going to bite.”
“Really?” I said. “And how does your boyfriend feel about that?”
“Boyfriend?” He looked nonplussed. “What made you think I had a boyfriend?”
I shrugged. “You’re going out tonight. I thought maybe…”
“Oh, no.” He chuckled. “Probably wouldn’t have needed the box in your room if I had a boyfriend. It’s been a long time since I dated anyone.” He lowered his voice. “It’s just simpler to find a hookup, you know?”
“Yeah,” I said, heart sinking.
So, cruising for a hookup, it was. I waited a beat to see if he’d invite me along. Maybe Hopper would wantmeto be that hookup. But an awkward silence descended, killing that fantasy in its tracks.
