Ruth’s good hand reached across the table and clasped mine. “You could be perfect.Together.”
“I don’t do relationships. You know that.”
“Only because you hadn’t met the right person.”
Shaking my head, I squeezed Ruth’s hand before shifting mine out of her reach. “Leave it, okay?”
Ruth gave me a lopsided smile, but the scheming behind her eyes was impossible to miss. She had no plan to drop her quest. If anything, her coffee catch-up with Yolanda would only stir up more drama. And honestly? I didn’t mind. If the universe was determined to throw Lola in my path, I wasn’t about to waste a single second I could spend with her.
But I’d keep my distance.
I refused to ruin her too.
5
She Didn’t See History Repeating
Lola
TheWon the welcome mat at my front door was missing. A pink wooden box replaced it.
“Where did you come from?” I whispered.
Bending over, I picked up the box, twisting and turning it to examine each perfectly crafted corner. My fingertip bumped over the tiny chicks and daisy chains carved in a border around the lid before I flicked the golden latch. Inside, six eggs lay cradled in a wooden nest with a note.
I know you’ll put these to egg-cellent use.
An enormous grin spread across my face. I didn’t recognise the neat block capitals, but I knew the gift was from Aiden. Ithadto be. The pink box shimmered, and I lifted my glasses to swipe away tears, hugging the gift close to my heart.
Aidenmadethis. Forme. And it was sodarling.
A week passed.
Another Sunday morning rolled around. Shrugging on my cardigan, ready to head into town, I hauled open the front door to find a plain carton of eggs waiting toe-to-toe with my sneakers.
Get egg-cited. Fresh for your box.
I glanced up.
Yolanda stood at the edge of the white picket fence, her gardening shears snipping at the roses in quick, easy swipes. A satisfied smirk danced on her lips.
“You might be right about Aiden finding someone,” she said.
My cheeks heated, and stammering some weak excuse about breakfast burning on the stove, I snagged the fresh carton of eggs off the mat and fled into the cottage.
Another week passed.
My alarm clock beeped extra early that Sunday morning, but I was already out of bed, tiptoeing to the kitchen. I was a woman on a stealth mission. A baking ninja. There was absolutely no need for me to creep through the cottage in the dark. I lived alone. No one would see. But the anticipation added to the fun.
I slipped the cake container off the dining table and scurried back through the blackened maze of furniture, nearly tripping over the couch as I headed for the hallway. Worn hinges creaked when I pried open the front door to peek outside. Clouds smudged the moon, and except for the streetlight glowing above number four, the rest of the town still slept.
I glanced at the doormat.
Empty. No eggs yet.
I bent down and placed a surprise chocolate cake over theWwith my own note tied on top with a pink ribbon.
I’m not a whisk-taker. Chocolate is always a winner. Enjoy xo
