Page 21 of Blame It On The Carols

“Fine. I guess.” I shrugged, hating that I felt like I couldn’t talk or be myself with these goons hanging around. “I would love it if I didn’t have to have the security detail, but here we are.”

“I can understand that,” he replied over his shoulder as he frothed the milk. “But given the circumstances, it’s for the best.”

“I know,” I agreed with a heavy sigh as I took my drink from him. “Thanks for the coffee.”

He nodded and attempted to smile at the guys, but it wasn’t returned.

“Andi has fudge this morning. You might want to stop in and grab some before you get your day started. It always has a way of turning mine around when I need it.”

I smiled and gave him a little wave before heading out, heavy footsteps falling in line behind me.

By the time I entered Sugarplum Sweets, I was ready to scream for people to stop staring at us. It wasn’t just that I was back in town and people hadn’t seen me in years or that most people recognized me as a celebrity. I could handle all of that. What I couldn’t handle was the people talking behind their hands about the guys sent to protect me. While they were supposed to blend in, they did anything but that, looking like they were taken straight out of theMen In Blackmovie. Not that they looked extraterrestrial or anything, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were in fact alien, given how little personality they had.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Andi called as soon as she came out and saw me. Her eyes went from happy to see me to confused as she saw the guys behind me.

“Fine. Everything is just fine,” I lied, plastering on the best fake smile I could. “Sam said you have fudge.”

Andi chuckled and walked behind the counter to the end by the register, where there was a small basket of fudge.

“I sure do.” She handed it to me and then nodded for me to follow her over to one of the small tables in the corner.

I looked inside to decide which piece to take since there were so many to choose from.

“Just bring the whole thing,” she said, smiling. “Zach is making more so we can finish what’s in there. You two can help yourself to some sugar cookies.” She looked directly at the security guys, stopping them in their tracks as she pointed to the other end of the counter with more samples. “She’s fine. Seriously. She’s with me, and the only way in or out of the store is through those doors.”

I laughed as she gave them a pointed look and scolded them like a mother.

Reluctantly, they both made their way to the cookies and then kept their backs against the wall as they continuously surveyed the room.

“They are intense,” she whispered, leaning in so only I could hear as I set the basket of fudge down on the table between us.

“You’re telling me,” I groaned, popping a piece of maple pecan fudge into my mouth and closing my eyes the second the incredible flavor hit my tastebuds.

“How long are they going to be doingthisfor?”

“I have no idea. Hopefully not too long, but I’m guessing until I leave and go back to LA.”

She scrunched her face as I popped another piece of fudge into my mouth. I was killing time and needing to distance myself from Aiden this morning. Not that I would be getting too much space from him, given that my mom had made arrangements for us to rehearse at the bar again. I’d convinced Aiden to let me get coffee and breakfast before I met them there, and he only agreed because Sam and a few of the other shop owners in the strip mall were part ofSugarplum Falls Security Detail, as he liked to call it.

“I’m sorry. But hey, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” she said softly with a smile.

“True. I hate that we have to worry about this to begin with.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket, so I pulled it out to find a text message from my mom, letting me know that she and the ladies were on their way to the bar.

“I guess I better get going. I’m supposed to meet the Sugarplum Sweethearts to rehearse for the caroling competition. Thanks for the fudge. Sam was right; it did turn my mood around slightly.”

“Good,” Andi said, standing up and walking with me. “Let me send you with some so it keeps your day going in the right direction.”

“Sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

I stood at the register and waited for her to finish boxing some up so I could pay.

“It’s on the house,” she insisted as I tried to hand her my credit card.

“No, really. Let me pay.”

She shook her head and extended the box to me.

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