“Great.” I try to infuse the simple declaration with an exclamation point, but it probably comes out more strangled than enthusiastic.
Yet despite my trepidation, my time in Emma’s bakery booth goes relatively smoothly. It takes me a minute to figure out where all the items live, but we quickly develop a rhythm, Emma taking orders for cupcakes and cookies and the most heavenly looking cinnamon rolls, and me boxing them up. I’m tempted to swipe my finger through each treat piled high with frosting, but I show some self-control and before long, all of the baked goods have been sold.
Emma releases a huge breath and claps her hands as we send the final customer off on their way. “Oh my. Thank you so much for coming to help me, I don’t think I would’ve survived that on my own!” She wraps me up in an impromptu hug, and I can’t help but hug her back.
“No problem. It feels nice to actually be useful for a change.” I’ve experienced more failure in the past few days than the previous few decades combined and I didn’t quite realize how much it was bringing me down until this minute. “Thank you for being patient with me and showing me the ropes.”
“My pleasure!” Emma bustles around the booth, packing up the remaining boxes and the various display platters. Until she spots something and stands up with an “Oh!” She immediately begins fiddling with her hair,patting and twisting the halo of curls surrounding her gorgeous face.
I look around for the cause of her sudden interest in beauty maintenance, but only see Mimi, striding toward the booth with a purpose. It’s the first time since being here that I’ve seen her outside of the café and as I take in her relaxed jeans and baby blue twin set cardigan, topped with a simple string of pearls, my interpretation of her as the classic grandmother figure is cemented.
“Fantastic. You’re still here.” She doesn’t actually sound all that happy to see me, which sort of stings a bit. “And you met Emma.” Mimi nods to her, though Emma isn’t paying attention, her gaze focused on the man standing behind Mimi.
He’s a tall and lanky East Asian man with bright eyes and brown hair that’s disheveled in a not on purpose way.
Mimi grabs him by the arm and brings him forward, practically shoving him into my face. “This is Ethan.”
A lot of things happen at once after that.
Ethan stammers out a hello.
Emma lets out a sound that’s suspiciously whimper-like.
I groan. Audibly.
Mimi rolls her eyes.
And Ben comes charging down the aisle, stepping between me and Ethan, clearing a space between us.
“Cam, I need you to come assist with cleanup,” Ben says, breaking the absurdly awkward tension.
“I think she can stay and chat with Ethan for a few minutes,” Mimi insists.
I’m already backing away from whatever this hot mess is. “Sorry, Meem, but I should make sure I’m working hardfor the betterment of the community. Nice to meet you, Ethan, maybe you could stay and chat with Emma for a few minutes?” I link my arm through Ben’s. “Emma, I’ll plan on being at the bakery tomorrow morning for my first shift?”
I don’t wait for an answer, tugging Ben along in the direction of anywhere but here.
Once we’re away from the crowd, I pull Ben to a stop. “Please tell me Ethan is not one of my suitors.” Nothing against the guy, he just hasnot my typestamped all over him. I don’t do nice guys. Literally or metaphorically.
“Unfortunately, Ethan is one of your suitors.” Ben’s jaw tenses, and I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him visibly upset before.
“Unfortunatelybecause in spite of his unassuming looks he’s really a total jackass?”
“Unfortunatelybecause Ethan is one of the nicest guys in Heart Springs.” Ben turns away from me.
I let the words sink in without questioning how Ben knows enough about him to make such a statement, and totally lie to myself about how much those words sting. “And the worst thing that could happen to a nice guy would be being matched with someone terrible like me, right?” Even though I’d already mentally written off Ethan, I can’t deny the prick of Ben’s disapproval.
He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Sure.” I yank on the sleeves of Ben’s sweatshirt, pulling it over my head and shoving it into his chest. “Well, you don’t have to worry about Ethan. I’m not going to date him.”
Ben barely catches the hoodie, looking for a second likehe wants to shove it right back at me. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that, sweetheart. If Ethan is one of your suitors, then you have to go out at least once.”
I shrug. “I’ll have a cup of coffee with the guy, but I’m not going to be pursuing anything with him.”
“Too good for a nice guy like Ethan?” Ben’s words are cutting, and I’m wondering where the hell the sudden attitude is coming from.
“Emma is clearly into him.”
