Page 9 of Expiry Dating

“When did you learn to bake again?” Alice asked, her eyes still transfixed on the whisk.

“Don’t give me that look, Ali!”

She feigned innocence. “What look?”

“You know what look. I’m not doing this to please Jake. I’m doing this ’cos I like cake. End of story. So spare me your lecture.”

Lily was clearly prickly, which made Alice wonder why. As far as she could see, her sister had it all: a beautiful place to live, a husband who adored her, and a successful business. Why would she even care what Alice thought?

Lily pushed a golden strand of hair out of her face before continuing. “Mum called again earlier. You know that every time you dodge her calls, she calls me instead?”

Alice did know that. And it made her feel bad, but not bad enough to return her mother’s calls.

“You of all people should know what she’s like, Lilypad. Remember when you first moved here? All the calls you got from her ... all the guilt trips?”

“Oh, I remember,” her sister conceded, “but that doesn’t mean you can just avoid her forever.”

“It’s not like I don’t answer all of her calls. I answer some of them.” Enough of them to wish she’d hit the reject button instead of answering.

“Well, answer some more.” Lily gave her a pointed look.

Alice purposely didn’t answer. She wasn’t going to be making promises she had no intention of keeping.

“Anyway”—her sister moved on surprisingly quickly—“you gonna tell me what happened at Mickey’s the other night?”

Of course her sister knew about Brady hauling her out of the bar. You couldn’t hide a needle in a haystack in this tiny town.

“Nothing to tell, sis. Deputy Douche was being his charming self, as usual, only this time we had an audience.”

“Hmm. That’s not exactly what I heard.”

“And what exactly did you hear, Lilypad?” Alice tried to remain nonchalant, but she was curious to hear the gossip mill’s take on it. Because she sure as hell was more than a little confused by it all.

“I heard that you and Brady were going at it and he manhandled you out of the bar.”

Well, that was anti-climactic. “Yep, sounds about right.”

“You know what I think?” Here we go. “I think ... you guys like each other, and that’s why you guys fight so much.”

Alice’s eyes rolled so hard they practically hit the back of her head. “Yes, because Brady and I scream couple goals.”

Lily ignored Alice’s sarcastic retort and carefully poured her concoction into cake tins before placing them into the oven. She then proceeded to wipe down the surface and wash her hands. The silence was deafening, and it only meant one thing. She was gearing up for her very own lecture. A lecture Alice did not have any intention of listening to.

“Okay, sis.” Alice quickly rose and slapped her hands on the steel countertop. “Nice hanging out—”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Lily had walked around the counter and was now blocking Alice’s retreat. “You are gonna sit, and you’re gonna listen to what I have to say. Then, if you’re nice to me, I’ll let you have some of my cake.”

Alice sat back on the stool and let out a huff. It wasn’t like she could avoid her sister forever; she lived on Lily’s property after all.

Taking a seat next to her, Lily launched right in. “I know you don’t want to talk about Rob. I know it’s painful. But by not talking about it, it’s somehow making it worse. I’ve been patient with you; I haven’t pushed. You needed time, and I wanted to give that to you ... but enough. It’s time.”

Alice shifted in her chair, suddenly more uncomfortable than she’d ever felt. She wasn’t ready to do this. It still felt too fresh.

Ignoring her clear discomfort, her sister continued. “Rob hurt you. He’s a world-class shithead and Becky was always a jealous little cow, but now it’s time to forget about them. It’s time to heal. Maybe even put yourself out there again?”

Alice swallowed down the emotion clogging her throat. Yes, Rob had moved on. Well, really, he had moved on while still in a relationship with her, but that didn’t mean she could. How was she supposed to trust anyone ever again? No, a relationship wasn’t in her future. She could never give whatever was left of her heart to anyone ever again. It was already tattered; she needed to protect what was left.

“I’m not interested in getting back out there. I’m done. I’ve committed to a long and happy life with my vibrator.”

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