“I didn’t know how much pie making would actually be happening.” Lina laughs.
Tilly and I exchange a glance. We didn’t say anything to anyone, but it must be obvious. I guess if we aren’t fighting, it’s obvious something is going on between us.
“It’s my first time making apple pies, but I’m very excited,” I say.
“Do you think you’ll join the contest?” Tilly asks.
“I don’t think so. I mean, it’s not like I’d win.” I shrug.
“Benny used to join in just for the fun of it,” Lina adds.
“Oh, hmm.” I pause. “Maybe I should join in then. Do you do it?”
Tilly points at herself. “Me? No, I like pie, but I don’t enjoy quickly eating. I’ll get a stomachache.”
“Gotcha.” I nod.
Is this something you have to practice for? It seems pretty straightforward. Like you just stop whenever you feel full or don’t want any more. So it doesn’t seem like there’s much of a catch. I’m curious to see what all the fuss is about, and I wouldn’t mind eating one of the pies I made.
“I’ll be right back. I need to get the rolls of paper towels for after.” Tilly jogs back inside to Lina’s bakery.
“You two seem to be getting along.” Lina winks at me playfully.
“We finally talked, and I think we’re going to actually try to see if it could be something.” I smile.
Hattie is listening to us but not saying a word. She’s someone I always have a tough time getting a read on. Her face isn’t happy with this conversation, but I don’t really know why. Maybe she’s just overprotective of her friends seeing new people—especially someone who didn’t come in with a great first impression.
“I’m so happy for you two!” Lina wraps her arms around me, and Hattie storms away.
“Is she okay?” I look at Lina, who frowns.
“I’ll handle it.” Lina takes off in Hattie’s direction just as Tilly comes back with the paper towels.
“What’d you do to clear a room?” she jokes.
“Excuse me, I was talking to your friends about you. But Hattie got all weird and took off. Lina said it was okay, though.” I explain.
Tilly makes a face, so I raise an eyebrow until she sighs.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, and I hope you won’t. But Hattie told me several months back that she had feelings for me. They were never reciprocated, and I don’t even know if she still has them, but I guess she does.” Tilly sighs.
“Well, now I feel like an idiot. I’m sorry. I definitely won’t say a word.”
It makes sense—I mean, Tilly is gorgeous, and they’re best friends. It makes sense that the lines got blurred for her. It’s not like you can fault someone for having feelings.
“Hey, Bells, sorry to interrupt, but people are starting to get here, and we don’t know where to direct them,” Timmy, one of the people I hired at the start of the season, says, running over. He’s only twenty and has a bit of nervous energy when it comes to talking to me. But he does a good job, so I keep him around.
“I’ll handle it. Follow me.” I take the clipboard from him and start looking over the names of everyone participating in the pie-eating contest.
We have enough pies and tables set up—we just have to wrangle in the crowd so there isn’t too much disarray when the event actually happens. I have Timmy rope off two areas near the contest, with a path down the middle. After the event, everyone is free to roam the orchard, so we have the tractor and trailer set up to transport anyone.
As everything gets settled, I grab the microphone I bought for purposes like this and try to get the crowd’s attention.
“Hello, everyone! I’m Bells, the owner of Sapphire Falls Orchard! How’s everyone doing today?”
The crowd cheers, and all the contestants are behind me getting ready to eat.
I go over a few quick rules and announcements before taking my own place at the end table. Tilly takes over on the microphone for me, and I hold my arms behind my back. Everyone has their body at a ninety-degree angle to be able to start eating as soon as possible. I try, but that isn’t exactly possible with my belly and boobs in the way.
