“Aileen,” Eli ground out.
“Andthisis Noah Carter, town event coordinator, carpenter, and full-time embarrassment.” Her eyes gleamed. “Which we love. Chaos is very on-brand for Mapleford.”
Eli stared at them, horrified. “Aileen. Stop. Please.”
She ignored him. “So Noah, tell me, what brings you to the bakery besides the obvious?”
“The obvious?” Noah asked.
“My brother,” she said with a grin.
Eli considered walking directly into the industrial freezer.
Noah blinked, then laughed. It was a startled sound, as if he hadn’t expected to be charmed and mortified in the same moment. “I genuinely did come for croissants. I swear. But I figured, since I made a complete fool of myself earlier, I should at least apologize.”
“You sort ofalreadyapologized,” Eli said.
“Then the least I can do is apologize properly.” Noah straightened, suddenly earnest. “What I did was impulsive and unfair. And way too personal for a stranger.”
“True,” Eli said.
“But also,” Noah added, “you were very nice about it. So… thank you.”
Eli hated how something in him caved at Noah’s earnest tone. “You’re welcome.”
“And I owe you a coffee,” Noah said.
Eli arched his eyebrows. “Why?”
“You survived my terrible attempt at flirting.” Noah shrugged. “It’s only fair that you get some kind of reward.”
Aileen let out a tiny squeal.
Eli glared at her again. “Stop.”
“Can’t,” she said. “Won’t.”
Noah cleared his throat. “Also, I’m here partly on festival business.” He nodded toward the window where Eli had dumped the tangle of lights. “We’re short on volunteers this year.”
Aileen gasped theatrically. “My brother wasjustsaying he’d love to help.”
“Ineversaid that,” Eli sputtered.
“You said it with your energy,” she insisted.
“I have no such energy.”
“You totally do.”
Noah’s eyes sparkled. “You’d be a huge help. And I promise, no fake-boyfriend emergencies.”
“That’s a shame,” Aileen murmured.
Eli inhaled sharply. “I’m going to strangle you.”
Noah laughed, the sound nervous but hopeful. “Set-up starts Monday morning. I can put you on wreath duty.” His lips twitched. “Very low emotional risk.”
Eli glanced out at the falling snow, then back at Noah’s hopeful expression. A small, traitorous warmth bloomed in his chest.
