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“You’re sure? It seemed important.”
“No, not at all. It was just something silly.”
“Okay, well, I’ve got to head over and get things set up. See you over there?”
“Yep, I’ll be right behind you.”
I listened as the front door shut. My body heavy with the fact that I hadn’t been brave enough to speak up and tell him my idea overcame me, and a tear slipped from my eye.
* * *
The contest was over. The judges had eaten, rated, and sealed their choices. My mind had been preoccupied with the events of this morning, and I had barely been able to read the reactions from the judges. Normally, I was so keyed in, I could tell immediately if I would even place or not. This time I’d just have to wait and see what happened. I’d carefully packed up the rest of my cinnamon buns and placed the container into my bag and made my way out of the community center.
I was just about to make my way to the sidewalk when I heard my name, and I turned to see Peggy. “Brooke, did you want a lift?”
I smiled and waved. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” Peggy said, making her way over to me and taking the bag from me.
I’d climbed into her car and put my seatbelt on while she loaded my scooter into the trunk before climbing in. “So, just heading back home?”
As much as I wanted to get changed and just relax, I wasn’t ready to face Tristan. I shook my head. “Actually, I was going to head on down to Bluebird Books. I wanted to find some new reads.”
“All right then, I will drop you off there. I’d come in and look around myself, but I need to finish up some arrangements for the holidays.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“So, how do you think you did? Do we have a new winner?” Peggy asked while backing out of parking spot.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I, for some reason, was so distracted I couldn’t even begin to tell if they liked my stuff or not.” I shrugged.
“Oh, Brooke, you’re so modest. I am sure you won.” She winked.
“Thanks, Peggy. Would you like the leftover cinnamon buns?” I asked, pulling the container out of my bag.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t, but I think perhaps I could take one. It will go nice with my afternoon coffee.”
“No problem,” I said, pulling out a plastic sandwich bag from my bag and shoving a bun into it. “Here you go.” I smiled, placing it in between our seats.
“Thank you. So, tell me, how are things with Tristan?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s not a secret that the two of you like one another. Trinity, Thomas and I saw you the other night at the park,” she said, a soft smile on her lips.
I looked out the window as to avoid Peggy’s eyes. I wanted to die. Had they seen us kiss? Instead, I shrugged. “There is nothing to tell. He’s simply helped me out, that is all,” I murmured, thinking to this morning and the tryst in the bedroom that had begun in the kitchen with that sweet, sugary goodness. I’d been so happy to see how happy he was to have been offered a job that I had to let my own happiness go. It was now his chance to shine. He deserved that.
I was about to tell Peggy when she pulled up outside of the bookstore. “There you go, Brooke. I’ll get your scooter.”
Within minutes, Peggy was gone, and I was snug and warm inside of Bluebird Books. Trinity had gone to pour us a coffee, and I had set the cinnamon buns on the counter for us to have. I busied myself waiting for her, searching through the holiday reads.
“So, I heard that the contest went well. How do you think you did?” Trinity asked, coming out of the small room she used for her coffee room.
“I have no idea. It was hard to tell. So many good recipes this year,” I murmured, pulling down one of the newest Christmas releases this year.
“I’ve heard from some of the ladies in town that Tristan has made quite the impression.”
I looked off into the distance, thinking about how everyone at the diner loved him. “That he has.” I mumbled, turning my attention back to the stack of books. I just wished everyone would stop asking me about him.
