“Deal. If they ask about the jacket, it was autumn magic.”
“What’s autumn magic? That sounds dangerously like Fate.”
She laughed. “No, autumn magic is real. You can feel the power of change even in the air. The crisp air, the leaves changing colors, all of nature feels like magic.”
“So, what are you hoping for, eventually . . . but without a plan?”
“Nope. Tonight is not about that; tonight is about cookies.”
The conversation was closed, but my curiosity about who this woman was wouldn’t leave my mind. She had bright green eyes, was a horrible liar, believed in magic, detested plans, and had a fierce love for cookies. I was sure I would never meet another woman like her.
Mary squealed. “Look it’s the dog treats!”
Chapter Three
MARISSA
Pretendingto be Mary for the night was fun. There were no expectations or pressure. Just fun.
I leaned down and grabbed the little bag full of doggie treats.
I couldn’t wait for my share of the cookies. That’s what I needed to put all my focus on, not the little circles that Scott rubbed on the back of my hand, or how his jacket smelled like cinnamon. I raised my shoulder for a quick, hopefully non-noticeable sniff. Yep. Cinnamon. Scott’s hand dwarfed mine as he led me around a corner in the maze, watching to ensure I didn’t trip over the dips in the dirt.
Cookies. Focus on cookies.
“Cookies for the win!” I leaned against Scott with my shoulder. “And we didn’t even need a plan.”
I could tell it wasn’t easy for him to let go of his plans. It was sweet that he had compromised.
Scott sighed and chuckled. “We still had a plan. What’s your favorite cookie?”
“I like sugar cookies, bonus if it has sprinkles.” We headed back through the maze. “Let me guess. You’re an oatmeal raisin guy?”
I should have given him his jacket back. With all this hand holding and his stormy eyes searching mine, I was no longer cold . . . at all.
He chuckled. “Why would you say that?”
“Oatmeal raisin is the most somewhat-healthy and sensible cookie there is, and that seems like it fits.” We reached a fork in the maze.
“Which way?” He looked at my pocket with the quarter.
I no longer cared. “I already proved my point. It’s more fun when you don’t have a plan. You can lead from here.”
He shook his head. “It was fun, and yes, I do like oatmeal raisin.”
“I knew it!” I tried to withhold my victory dance but ended up with a little skip anyway.
Scott raised the left corner of his mouth in a grin. “They don’t get enough love, you know. Everyone goes for the chocolate chip, but a soft oatmeal raisin, that’s where it’s at.”
Gross. Why put raisins in anything?“Well, enjoy those boring oatmeal cookies. I’m going to get something with sprinkles.”
Scott rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. “You seem like sprinkles. Bright and fun.”
Ah, how sweet. Good thing this was all temporary or he would have me running for the nearest exit with those gorgeous eyes.
“You know, sprinkles might be growing on me.” He winked so quickly I questioned if it happened at all. “I might have to try some.” His eyes flicked to my lips.
Heat ran from my stomach up to the tips of my ears. What did he mean by that? We were still talking cookies, right? Warning bells went off in the back of my mind, but I reminded my bells that I was Mary. I would never see Scott again.
