I nod, my fingers trailing over a new design I haven’t seen. It’s a lasso.
“I’ve heard rave reviews about your honey butter and cinnamon coffee cake. I always miss out because they sell before I can get away to grab one.”
I can’t contain my smile. “I’d be happy to set one of each aside for you, if you’d like.”
She nods immediately, her dangly earrings tangling in one of her dreadlocks. “I’d love that. My name is Mariana.” She extends a hand laden with rings.
I shake it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Dolly.”
“Are you entering your baked goods in the fair coming up? It’s right before Christmas, I think.”
“Oh, yes, I never miss it.” And I’m determined to win that damn ribbon again, one of these days.
She beams. “I’ll come by to get my goodies later. Don’t forget!”
I chuckle, nodding at her as I move along. “I won’t!”
I look down at my phone and see a new message from Ropes.
@ropesandchainsexciteme
A woman with ambition? I like it. I’ll have to work harder to spoil you.
I wish I knew what Ropes looked like, but the mystery is part of the fun. I start typing back.
@redreads
If you know how to tie a good knot, that’s really all I need to feel spoiled.
@ropesandchainsexciteme
Baby, you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into.
I bite my lip, walking back to my stand, where I see Sam standing near Rosie, chatting with our first customer of the day. My stomach is in knots, with just enough anticipation to help keep my focus off of my childhood crush and on the mysterious new guy I’m harmlessly flirting with.
As I walk up, I notice Sam’s expression is cold. The profile of the newcomer comes into view, and I recognize him instantly.
“Ben? Hey, it’s so great to see you.”
16
SAM
Ben turns to smile at Dolly as she walks up and says his name. He smiles back at her, reaching out to give her a hug. The irrational jealousy that surges inside me feels like a foreign object is lodged in my throat. I try to swallow over it, but can’t.
“Hey, pretty lady. I was hoping you’d be here this morning.” He smiles at Rosie. “This woman is hard to take out on a date.”
Rosie laughs. “Sorry, Ben. We’ve had some family issues going on lately. I promise she’s not actively trying to avoid you.”
Ben looks skeptical. The way his eyes are darting between the girls while avoiding looking at me makes me like him even less than I already do.
“Well, Miss Redford, I was hoping I’d get the chance to take you out today after you finish up here. Can you spare a few hours for me to treat you to dinner?”
The confidence and flirtation he’s exuding are the polar opposite to the panicked, blubbering man who ran from the restaurant when Duke and I crashed their last date. I clench my fist, taking a step closer to him.
His face pales, but he still doesn’t look my way.
I see Dolly’s head nodding in my peripheral vision.
