“Salted caramel is sophisticated.”
Within minutes, half the guys have chosen sides. Team Joyce versus Team Judy. The debate gets heated—fitting, I guess, since we’re firefighters talking about baked goods.
Silver Sam, the oldest resident in town, materializes and says the spirits in the building appointed him judge, but only if he can taste the contenders. He tries both brownies and then goes for seconds as if the free samples of Crush Cakes we gave out today didn’t quite satisfy his sweet tooth.
“Well?” Joyce demands.
“They’re both—” Sam pauses dramatically. “Tied.”
“Tied?” Each of the older women explode in a fit of nitpicking and faultfinding.
“For the sake of peace,” Sam adds quickly.
Oreo, who’s been quietly watching from his bed, barks. I’m not sure if he’s suggesting a rematch or that brownies have no place in this bakery.
“We sell Crush Cakes and coffee,” I say firmly.
“Why not add our brownies to the menu?” Judy asks.
“You should open a brownie bakery,” Hayes suggests.
“Is that even a thing?” Joyce asks.
The debate continues for another twenty minutes before both grandmas reluctantly agree to a truce. But I catch them glaring at each other as they leave, and I’m fairly certain this brownie battle isn’t over. Will it ever be?
Glancing at the wall with candid firefighting photos taken over the years—parades, picnics, pancake breakfasts, and crew camping trips, I get an idea and hurry after Joyce.
After she agrees to help me, I head back inside to clean up. I’m exhausted and exhilarated and moderately overwhelmed.
I notice the guys exchanging looks. Having silent conversations I’m not part of.
Finally, Austin pulls me aside. “We need to talk.”
My stomach drops. “The bet?”
“You haven’t told her.”
It’s not a question.
“If anyone is at fault, it’s you for proposing the cockamamie idea,” I snipe.
He tips his head back in laughter—at my choice of words or because I was foolish (or stubborn) enough to say yes.
“From where I’m standing, you’re in way over your head.”
“We keep getting interrupted with no thanks to you.” I run a hand across my stubble. “If she finds out, she’ll think I was playing games.” But I already know the solution. I have to tell her it stopped being a game. It became real. But what if she doesn’t believe me?
The rest of the crew appears. Eavesdroppers, the lot of them.
“You’re in deep,” Reese says.
“He’s deeply in love with her,” James adds.
I start to deny it, but Hayes makes exaggerated smooching sounds, and Scotty throws a balloon at his head.
“Real mature,” I mutter.
“Just tell her the truth,” Austin says. “Rip off the bandage. Take the hit.”
