Page 20 of Autumn on My Mind

ME

Ari, aren’t you teaching right now??

Ari

Eh, the class is taking a test

Answer the question!

Has Dominic said anything about the letter?

I chew on my lip as my mind is forced back to Dominic and the letter. I told Liv and Ari last night that my mother is dating Dom’s dad, and they were as shocked as I was. I told them about the letter, too, but I still don’t have any more updates for them.

Me

Nothing yet, and I’m trying not to think about it

What about you guys? Ari, how’s your sister’s wedding stuff going?

Ari

Ask me about something else. Landrie’s wedding is all anyone talks to me about these days.

Me

I’m on it. New question incoming: How is your fake boyfriend??

Ari

We’re actually going to a football game together tonight.

Which is so weird.

Liv

I’ll bet it’s hard to have to hang out with a gorgeous, flirty guy all the time!

Me

Says the woman with a smoking hot 24/7 bodyguard

Liv

He does roll his eyes in this very sexy way whenever I speak to him.

I laugh, but it’s not really funny that Liv has a bodyguard. She’s been having trouble with some psycho who won’t leave her alone, and we’re all a little worried. We try to keep the atmosphere lighthearted unless Liv shows signs of wanting to talk.

I sigh and set my phone on the console. My stomach is protesting loudly again, so I start the car and get moving.

Keller’s Bakehouse isn’t too far of a drive. It’s located on Main, right next to my family’s hardware store. I’ve spent a lot of time there, and I’d be real happy to spend some more. Sadie Stevenson is the assistant baker, and it’s always fun to see her, too; I’m a year or two older, but we’ve always gotten along well, and she makes the most incredible maple bars in this corner of the country.

I can’t say no to a maple bar. So even though what my body really needs is protein and some vegetables, I head straight to the bakery to fill it up with bread and sugar instead.

I park in one of the poorly-thought-out street spots, the kind that are impossible to pull out of, and get out of the car. When I glance over at the hardware shop and spot Nathan through the window, I mouth You are dead to me. He winces—as he should—since he ditched me yesterday for the meeting of Alvina’s new boyfriend….

…Which turned into the re-meeting of my old boyfriend, which has turned into a massive stomachache of anxious, queasy proportions.

I shoot one last glare at Nate before I cross the sidewalk and pull open the door of Keller’s. A bell jingles overhead as I enter, a cheerful sound that pairs perfectly with the smell of bread, maple, and baked goods of all kinds.