Page 38 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

Valerie and Ana both broke off a piece of each and took a bite.

The first was pure warmth and sweetness. The second had a crisp, lemon flavor.

“They’re both so good, Mal,” Ana sighed with pleasure.

“Which one is better?” Mal asked.

“This one,” Valerie said, pointing to the lemon.

“This one,” Ana said at the same time, pointing to the sweeter option.

“Hm,” Mal said.

“I guess they’re both exceptional,” Valerie offered.

“One of them needs to stand out if it’s going to be a signature treat,” Mal said, shaking her head.

“You only asked two people,” Ana pointed out.

“True,” Mal said. “I guess I need more taste testers.”

Valerie nodded and grabbed another chunk of the lemon scone.

Ana toyed with her napkin and tried to focus on her friends instead of letting her traitorous mind lead her back to Rory Dunn.

“Why are you looking so down?” Valerie asked, turning to her.

“We’re not talking about that subject until New Year’s,” Ana told her, feeling a little burst of pride that she wasn’t giving up on their decision.

“Okay,” Valerie said, nodding and giving her an impressed look. “So let’s focus on us. How’s the shop? How are your mom and Theo?”

“Oh,” Ana said. “The shop is actually doing well the last few days, even our newer pieces are moving now that the clearance stuff is just about gone. It seems to happen that way every year, like Christmas magic.”

“Scarcity theory,” Mal said, nodding.

“What?” Ana asked.

“Oh, it’s just something to do with marketing,” Mal said. “When you start running out of something, that’s normally the moment people realize they desperately want whatever it is.”

“So maybe pricing your clearance too low isn’t the end of the world,” Valerie said thoughtfully. “Interesting theory.”

“Well, my mom just says it’s good karma,” Ana said, laughing. “Definitely not any marketing theory on our part. But I’m glad about it. I was hoping to do something fun for Theo this year, but it’s been so tight.”

She pressed her lips together. She had been about to talk about how the car kept breaking down, but that would lead the conversation too close to Rory for her liking.

“How’s your shop?” she asked Valerie. “Working on any commissions?”

“So many,” Valerie said with a smile. “But it’s that time of year. The stuff I want to make keeps me up at night sometimes, I don’t normally have to put off inspiration.”

“Remember when you made the tiny silver dragons?” Mal asked Valerie with a smile. “Back in school?”

Ana laughed at the memory.

“At first everyone wanted one,” Valerie reminded her, cracking a smile.

“Until they realized what you were doing,” Mal said, her eyes dancing.

“I make what I see,” Valerie said primly, but her eyes were twinkling too.