Page 101 of Cinnamon Roll Set Up

The woman behind the corn-shaped cutout gets this knowing look on her face. “Twenty dollars.”

I pass her the bill. “Is it very crowded today?”

She nods and slides me a pink wristband. “It’s our most successful fundraiser yet. You’ve got about five minutes before they drop the rope. And a whole lot of competition.”

Terrible pep talk.

Mackay Farm is massive. Thankfully, huge directional signs are everywhere, indicating where their featured areas are. Pumpkin patch. Apple launch. Bouncy houses. Petting zoo. Wagon rides.

Naturally, the corn maze is the farthest from the entrance. I jog past toddlers being pulled in wagons along with their pumpkin hauls, a live music stage, and food trucks. The smell of apple spice donuts frying gets my stomach growling, but there’s no time for treats.

When I reach the corn maze entrance, my heart sinks. It’s teeming with people. Maybe a hundred women wait to be let in, and at least twice that many people crowd around watching. Even if I were to join them, the odds are extremely low that I would be able to find Miles before anyone else does.

Worse, the reality of the situation finally hits me—he’sinside a corn maze. And it’s not small and contained like the fake one at the Abandoned Manor. It’s so gigantic, I can’t see where it ends on either side. I actually thought I could run around inthere instead of curling up in the fetal position and hyperventilating?

“Georgia!”

I turn to find Miles’s mom and aunt waving me down.

“We were just checking out the potentials,” Cece says with a wink.

“What are you doing here?” Lydia asks.

I gesture vaguely at the corn. “Well, I…”

I can’t tell his mom I love him before I tell him. Can I? Then again, my stepmom and the littles already know, and none of them are likely to keep it quiet for long. And I don’t want them to. I don’t want to hide it.

“I wanted to win Miles. I’m in love with your son.”

They both light up and come in for hugs at the same time, each exclaiming about what great news this is.

“But I don’t think I can do this.” I look past them at the towering stalks of corn. “I have very specific fears about cornfields. Running through that is literally my worst nightmare.”

I’m already getting a little sweaty just looking at it. Two “friendly” scarecrows guard the entrance. There could be more inside. Just the thought of them waiting around blind corners makes my stomach cramp.

Lydia squeezes me gently on the arm. “I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“I’ll just call him and tell him before it starts.” I move to get my phone, but Cece stops me.

“They took the men’s phones away to ensure nobody can cheat. Each man has a map to get out once he’s been claimed, but that’s it.”

“Ladies, are you ready to pick your bachelor?” the announcer asks over the loudspeakers.

The waiting women crush even closer to the entrance. A lotof them are dressed like they’re prepared for a marathon—athletic leggings and sneakers everywhere. Most are roughly my age, but some are considerably older. As they crowd around, it starts to look more like they’re ready for a rugby match than a love match.

I’m wearing a candy corn sweater, jeans, and Converse and haven’t shoved someone out of my way in my life. I am zero percent prepared for the Kissing Corn Maze.

“Begin!” The rope falls away, and women stream into the field, laughing and jostling at each other.

Well, that’s it. It’s too late. I’ll just stay with Lydia and Cece and be here waiting when Miles comes out.

With some other woman on his arm.

Not really an ideal moment for a love declaration, but maybe it will be one of the older women and she’ll be understanding? But what if it’s one of the younger women, and she’s not?

Even if it’s all for charity, I don’t want him going on a date with anyone else but me.

The last of the contestants disappears into the field. My heart rate amps up higher and higher. I know the stupid, scary, stupid-scary thing I’m about to do roughly three seconds before I do it.

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