Page 48 of Cinnamon Roll Set Up

But I don’t do that. Because that would make me a terrible friend.

Chapter 17

Miles

I’m a terrible friend. I’m on a date with Owen’s crush at the urging of the woman I’m secretly in love with. Who does something like that?

It’s not a horrible afternoon. Josie’s on the shy side, but she’s engaging and conversation is reasonably smooth. I do, however, steer us clear of Rumble Room’s booth where Owen is trying to recruit new gym members. The last time I was at the festival, I came away bruised—I don’t think I’d be that lucky if it came down to it with Owen.

He’s fully aware of my feelings for Georgia, but flaunting my date in his face would test our friendship in dangerous ways.

“This really is the quintessential small town fall festival, isn’t it?” Josie hasn’t stopped smiling at everything.

We’re slowly strolling the aisles, stopping to check out interesting vendors or watch kids play some of the games. Incidentally, I’m also avoiding Arlo, who actuallyisin the dunk tank this week. Georgia will be thrilled she dodged that dip in cold water.

“Except for that.” She points at the boarded-up communitycenter. They’ve added to the spooky aura, with moreKeep Outsigns and blacked-out windows.

“I guess it’s going to be a haunted house soon. You didn’t have anything like this back home?”

“Seattle had fall markets, but I was too obsessed with finishing my degree to enjoy it. This is Hallmark Channel cute.”

“How long have you been in Magnolia Ridge?”

She pushes her dark curly hair behind one ear. “Just about a year.”

“I didn’t realize it’s been that long.”

She lingers by a stall selling handmade scarfs and shawls. “I mostly holed up in my apartment for the first few months. But I realized I didn’t want to hide out forever and started doing more things in town.”

“Like the book clubs.” She’s in three of them at Dogeared, which is a lot for most people.

“God’s designated way for introverts to make friends.”

We dodge kids tossing balls at a collection of milk pails. I have no intention of getting in the line of fire.

“Is it working?”

“I think so. Georgia’s been inviting me out with some of the other women. I’ve joined in a few times, but her social battery has a lot more power than mine does.”

“That’s Georgia. When she’s got something in her head, there’s no stopping her. She can be a little overzealous, but her heart’s in the right place. She just wants the best for everyone.”

I wish she’d be as ready to fight for the best for herself, too, but she doesn’t respond well to nudges in that direction.

“On my own, I’d just be that weird plant lady who rescues dying ferns from home improvement garden centers. Now at least I have a few friends to say, ‘Do youreallyhave room for another plant?’”

“You garden too?”

“My backyard is my baby. My expensive, leafy, green baby.”

I stare at her. It couldn’t be as simple as this, could it?

She glances away, no doubt taking my obnoxious stare the wrong way.

“I know it’s weird,” she says softly.

“It’s not weird at all.” I match her pace, wanting to ask more but totally at a loss. I’ve never tried to be anybody’s wingman before. “Do you like barbecue?”

Her mouth twists, and her eyebrows tug down. “I thought Georgia said you’re a vegetarian.”

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