Page 24 of The Problem with Dating

Then again, she did divorce him. That had to count for something.

Don’t make excuses for her, Alex.

“You know, I’m good friends with the Kingsley family,” Tatiana mentioned.

“Sounds like you are good friends with everyone.”

“What can I say? I’m a people person. You know what? I could walk right over there and give Yara your number if you’d—”

“Tatiana.”

“Yes?”

“Get back to work.”

She smiled and shook her head and then poked my cheek.Yup. That’s right.Shepokedmycheek. “You’re blushing a little, Alex.”

I grimaced. “It’s hot. Have the staff turn up the air-conditioning.”

“Whatever you say, chef,” she sang as she danced away, leaving me with my eyes lingering on Yara.

Yara.

She looked like a Yara, too.

Maddeningly beautiful.

CHAPTER8

Yara

“Yara! Yara!” someone shouted as I sat in the dog park watching Cocoa run around with the other pups in the park. I prided myself in knowing every single dog’s name in town. And if I didn’t, I introduced myself as soon as possible.

I glanced up to see Tatiana darting my way with a clipboard and the biggest grin on her face. That wasn’t shocking. Tatiana was probably one of the happiest people in town—if not on the planet.

She slid beside me on the bench and nudged my arm repeatedly. “How are you?” she asked.

I laughed at her childlike excitement. “I’m good. Hoping one day to be as good as you are,” I joked.

“Oh, I think you will. But first”—Tatiana shoved the clipboard toward me—“The fall festival is approaching. I need you to sign up for the annual Snack on Hillstack Picnic Dates.”

I sighed and shook my head. “I’ll be skipping this year.”

“What? You can’t! It’s been a tradition since before you were born, and you took part in all of them for over a decade.”

“Yes,” I agreed, “but that was when I had a partner to purchase my basket. Now that Cole and I broke up, I won’t stand there and embarrass myself when no one picks me for a date.”

“Are you kidding? People will pick you. Plus, it’s for a good cause this year.”

“What cause is it?”

“The Pup Around the Corner.”

My eyes flashed with emotion as I sat back a little. Each year for Snack on Hillstack, the community voted to raise money for a local business. The event took place on the giant hill because of the remarkable view. In one direction, you could see Chicago’s skyline in the background, and the lakefront in the other. It was stunning all around.

“What?” I said, stunned by the realization that they would support my shop with the event. “No way. You can’t…”

“The board already decided on it. It’s a done deal. So you have to partake in the activity.” She pointed a stern finger at me. “Don’t you dare cry, Yara. I cry when others cry, and I just got my lashes done. I cannot cry for forty-eight hours. Hold it in!”

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