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Fold.

Turn the dough.

The texture changes, and it’s time to stop kneading, but my head doesn’t want to. It wants to keep going until a solution pops up in my brain.

There’s no good solution except to stop fake dating Canyon.

But Max is actually acting comfortable around me. It’s like when he found out I was dating Canyon, he knew I wouldn’t pester him.

Press.

Fold.

Press.

Fold.

Turn the dough.

He so doesn’t know me if he ever thought I’d pester a man to date me…okay, that’s funny.

And so messed up. But if it were for real, I wouldn’t do any such thing.

I mean, that’s not really true. If I loved someone, I’d tell them…I think. But I still wouldn’t pester them to love me back. That doesn’t work.

You can’t make someone love you. I’ve seen enough kids try that to know it’s a recipe for disaster.

Press.

Fold.

Press.

What would Max do if he loved a woman?

My heart clenches.

“You okay?” Cammie stops next to me, carrying a tray of cupcakes.

“Yeah.” No. “I think I’m going to take a break.”

“I can put that in to proof for you.”

“Thanks.” I nab two cupcakes off the tray and head to the front of the bakery. Max likes his sweets and I haven’t eaten anything today.

My stomach rumbles in response.

A break was a good idea.

With a glass of milk and a cup of coffee also in hand, I head over to Max’s table.

Dash looks up to see me first with a big smile. He bashes his head against Max’s massive arm.

“What’s up, little man?” Max smiles at the baby.

“I think he was trying to tell you that I’m here.” I set down the dishes and slide into the chair across from my two boys…

What?