“Good god, Mother,” Adele had said under her breath, causing Manish to start snickering.
“And,” Nina had gone on with a glare at her eldest, “you can decorate the cookie any way you’d like while you’re at that table.” She gestured to the pastry bags and ceramic bowls full of icing in various colors, sprinkles, edible glitter, M&M’s, and Red Hots. “Once we’re all done, we’ll have a set of cookies as unique as all of you!”
“And we’ll see if we have any lovely love matches!” JennyHazelthorne had chirped from the back, a mug of coffee in her hands and a plaid shirt on her back.
“That’s right,” Nina had said, winking at one of her daughters. Charlotte hadn’t been able to tell which one. “For now, enjoy the cheeseburger sliders—vegetarian options are on the second tray—and we’ll get started in about half an hour!”
That was five minutes ago, the clock ticking down to when Charlotte would have to decorate a communal cookie—god, that couldn’t be sanitary—with strangers. All the food was set up on a table at the other end of the bakery, with smaller tables set up in the middle for eating and the speed dating event. The shop’s atmosphere was cheery, to say the least—Christmas music filtered out of a speaker somewhere, garland and lights hung everywhere, and in one corner there was a tree decorated with ornaments in the shape of muffins and slices of pie. Despite the holiday decor, Charlotte had to admit the bakery’s vibe was lovely, with its white vintage counter and pastel-colored stools, and white shelves filled with mugs and tumblers made from milk glass in various colors.
“I have no idea what to do,” she said to Wes’s question.
“Drastic measures, seems to me,” he said.
He was dressed smartly in dark-gray jeans and a checkered button-up under a navy sweater, and his beard looked freshly trimmed. He was handsome, there was no doubt, and Charlotte found herself really wishing theywouldfind themselves in a romantic comedy and fall for each other.
It’d be so much easier.
She spotted Brighton moving through the line with Adele, piling tiny cheeseburgers on her plate. She was dressed in jeans and a cream-colored vintage blouse with mesh sleeves covered in velvet polka dots. Her hair was long, her bangs sleek and shiny.
Beautiful.
Except she wasn’t, because Charlotte didn’t notice her at all.
Of course, at that moment, Brighton glanced up, catching Charlotte’s eyes on her.
“Dammit,” Charlotte said, looking away quickly.
“Deer in the headlights,” Wes said.
“Shut up,” she said, and he just laughed. “Okay, what sort of drastic plan do you propose?”
He grinned. “It’s big.”
“Hit me with it.”
“It requires some physical contact.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How much?”
“Don’t look so horrified.”
She laughed. “I’m just not a very touchy-feely person.”
Wes’s smile only widened. “Nothing sordid, I promise.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “But maybe I’m the one who’s changed your life. Turned you. You just can’t keep your hands off me.”
“That seems like a stretch.”
He laughed. “Fair. But do you trust me?”
“I don’t know you.”
“I won’t corrupt you, I promise.” Then he held out his hand, his eyes glittering. “Just a little—how do I say this?—harmless fun.”
“Harmless fun?” Charlotte said. “What does that even mean?”
Wes rolled his eyes. “I gather subtlety is not your strong suit.”
“You gather right.”
