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She snorts, but she’s flushed down to her collarbone.

She wants this as much as I do. It was her wish, after all.

I can’t fucking wait.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MARGO

I’m fighting a blush with every fiber of my being. This wouldn’t be a problem in the summer, when I go all golden in the sun. But since it’s fall, I’m paler than usual.

And I know Cole clocks every faint flush.

But who could blame me? One of my ultimate fantasies is about to come true and Cole Hayes is going to do it.

Gorgeous, charming, sexy as hell Cole Hayes.

Cole diligently places the trays of pastries on the counter in front of me.

He glances out the window. “Hail’s stopped.”

I breathe out through my nostrils. “Good. We need all hands on deck tomorrow.”

“The kids will show up Friday.”

“I just hope we can get it all done with their help. There are still five hundred pastries to bake.”

“This is the last frosting, though, right?”

I nod slowly. “Right.”

Cole grins. “Perfect timing, then.”

I blush harder and turn away.

“I’ll be right back. Forgot something in my car.”

I raise an eyebrow but Cole just disappears.

I grab the piping bag, already full of frosting I made yesterday.

I look down at all the trays of pastries.

This is going to be a long day. But Cole’s right. Distraction would be good right now.

Because I can’t stop thinking about what happens if I can’t pull this off. I’ll be the laughingstock of Garland Falls. My business will plummet.

Worst of all, my mother will have been right. Maybe I’m not ready to have my own business. Maybe I should have focused on fun, enjoying my youth.

But I’m already here. This festival is happening whether I pull it together or not. There are real stakes now, and I have to do this.

Maybe Cole fulfilling my wish will give me a release and keep me focused.

He returns, placing a duffle bag on the counter. It clanks when it drops.

I raise an eyebrow. “What is that?”

“Tools.”