“That’s great to hear. I’m glad you guys are doing well.” She gives a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Yeah, I heard you moved back from the city. What happened? Did it get lonely out there by yourself?” His tone is dripping with condescension. It’s enough to make me want to punch him right in his square face.
“Nothing like that. Just wanted to be closer to home while I get ready for my bakery opening. Maybe you heard of it, Charlie’s Batter Co.?”
Judging from how big his eyes widen, he knows of her bakery.
“Oh, you’rethatCharlie?! Lisa loves your page. She’s been wanting to order a cake for the baby shower, but it says you were close to taking custom orders?”
“Oh yes, I have a lot of interest, and I’m only taking a selected few clients right now.” A wave of pride washes over me as she puts this guy in his place.
“Oh, well, for old time’s sake, we would love it if you could fit us in.” This guy has no shame. Seconds ago, he was trying to belittle her and now he wants a favor.
“Sure, why not? Have her send me an email, and I’ll see what I can do.” This girl is too nice for her own good.
“Thanks, well, I better grab the peach cobbler she sent me here for. That pregnancy craving is real.” He looks at me and winks like we’re best friends.
“Who is that?” I ask as soon as he’s out of earshot.
“That,” she says, slumping back down in her seat, all the energy she had draining from that interaction, “was my ex-boyfriend from high school. He dumped me a month before prom and then showed up at my house a week before prom, asking me to go with him.” She resumes fidgeting with the sleeves of her sweater. “Andnow, I guess he is married to my archnemesis. Who he took to prom, by the way.”
“Wow, what a couple.”
“Yeah, I know, right. And the people pleaser in me just agreed to bake them something for their new bundle of joy.” She chuckles, shaking her head.
“You could always tell them your oven broke down,” I offer, hoping this new change of topic will help her trust me a bit.
“Ha! That’s a good idea. I might take your advice on that.” Her eyes lock with mine, and she gives me the first genuine smile I’ve seen since Kevin appeared.
“Now, back to our situation. How do you propose we situate,” she gestures between the two of us, “this?”
“I promise you, I’m trustworthy. How aboutIpay, then we head to my car for your phone so you can call your sister.” She hesitates for a moment, but I can see it in her eyes. She wants to trust me.
“All right, fine, we’ll do it your way.”
19
Charlie
The gravel crunches underneath my shoes as we walk back to Aiden’s car. Aiden. Eli’s best friend. His roommate. The last few hours swirl in my head. It’s not that I don’t want to believe him; his explanation is very plausible. I know Claire’s interest in books, and she has mentioned before that she has shared some fantasy with Eli. It’s just hard to fully trust a complete stranger.
Aiden stops at his passenger side, looking sheepishly at me before opening the car door for me.
“See,” he says, “a total gentleman.”
I fight the grin that’s trying to form on my face. Even though he gives off a scary bear vibe, he’s really a teddy bear on the inside. Aiden gets in the driver’s seat and glances over at me. He’s being very gentle, like he’s trying not to startle a wild animal.
“I’m just going to grab your phone from the glove compartment for you. Or I mean, you could do it if you’re more comfortable.”
“I can do it.” I open the compartment and grab my phone. Only it’s dead.
“It’s dead. Do you have a charger?”
“Sure. Here.”
Plugging my phone in, I stare out at the empty lot as we pull away from Maple Diner.
Silence fills the cabin. It’s like now that our dynamic is no longer captor and captive, we have suddenly become two awkward people on a first date. Oh great, just like Dee Dee predicted.
