Margot leaned closer. “Your trees and front panel are a hundred times better than Summit Ridge’s.”
Garrett nodded. “I thought the same thing.”
“They might win. And I’m okay with that. But so much for my Midwinter Night’s Dream window for December,” she joked.
Taryn would be okay. No matter how the judging turned out. “What about Twelfth Night?”
“I’ll add it to the list,” she said.
“No one knows what will appeal to people,” Margot said in that wise tone of hers. “But Pippa’s Summer Blooms theme is impressive for a newbie.”
Taryn glanced in the direction of the florist’s booth, but there had to be eight to ten other booths before that one. “I need to check it out.”
He put his arm around her. “Go now. I’ll stay here.”
“When the ice cream booth opens, we’ll celebrate. The parlor is giving out mini cones for their samples.”
“Sounds like a plan.” And he had another one for when they finished tonight.
A date.
Well, dinner.
They would both need it after working so hard. And he wanted this time with Taryn to last as long as it could.
Chapter Thirteen
“Ihope youenjoy the slice of apple pie.” Taryn stood behind the booth’s table and handed a napkin to a man. The summer fair usually drew people from surrounding towns, but his Summit Ridge University tank top made her wonder if he was here to support the other bakery.
Paranoid much?
The answer was yes.
Which was why the less she said about his town, the better.
As she held in a laugh, she pulled a coupon from her apron pocket and gave it to him. “Lawson’s Bakery is around the corner from the park. We’re open tonight if you want to redeem your coupon for more pie or any other sweet treats. The coupon is valid through next Saturday night.”
Taryn had memorized the spiel after saying it a few times. She hoped the limited time frame brought in more customers. The only expense was the paper to print them on—Brecken’s siblings had cut them in exchange for cookies—and less profit earned on items. But she would take the loss to get the baked goods in people’s hands, er, mouths.
He placed the coupon in his pocket before picking up the small plate and a fork. “Thanks.”
As he walked away, she straightened the stack of napkins. Brecken worked behind her and made sure the supply of samples didn’t run low. The only thing missing—Garrett.
After they’d eaten ice cream cones, he’d gone to Callie’s booth to see if she needed anything, and he hadn’t returned. The crowds blocked the stalls on the other side, but it was no big deal.
At least that was what she kept telling herself.
Garrett had done what he said he would do—help her complete the booth. Sure, he’d mentioned helping her this weekend, but who knew what that meant? A kiss changed nothing between them, even if she might want another one. Okay, a lot more.
Friends.
Friends who kiss.
But nothing else.
She brushed off a pang. That was the safest path.
Who was she kidding?
