Page 29 of Getting Wrapped Up

He followed her through the arched doorway that connected the living room and dining room and on into the kitchen. She flipped lights on as she went.

Phoebe and Joe’s kitchen was spacious with tons of cupboards and counters, a big wooden table near the window that could easily seat eight and a center island with pots, pans and various utensils hanging from an ornate metal rack overhead.

He moved to lean against one of the counters where he thought he’d have the best view. Hailey stopped by the island and turned to face him, smiling expectantly.

“So where do we start?” she asked.

“Sugar.”

She looked around. Her gaze landed on four canisters of varying height next to the fridge and she pulled the one labeledsugarfrom the group. “Now what?”

He laughed. “I guess we’ll need that. But I meant sugar cookies. That’s what traditional Christmas cookies are right? The ones that are in different shapes and frosted?”

She frowned. “Yes, I think so. What else do we need for those then? Flour, I’m guessing.” She pulled that canister forward as well.

She was guessing? Uh, huh. She was cute. “Probably.”

She gave him a funny look. “Butter? Eggs?”

“Sounds good.”

She started to reach for the handle on the fridge but then dropped her hand and turned to face him. “What about paprika?”

He nodded. He knew nothing. “Sure.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Paprika? Really? I may not know anything about baking, but I do know you’re messing with me now.”

He straightened away from the counter. “You know nothing about baking? What do you mean?”

Her eyes widened. “I mean, I don’t bake.”

“You don’t? But you’re Christmas cookie crazy?”

“Yes, I am. And the bakery down the block from my building makes amazing ones.”

He frowned and stepped closer. “The bakery on the highway?”

“No, it’s on a hundred-and-fifty-seventh.”

He stared at her. Sapphire Falls didnothave 157 streets, that much he did know. “What are you talking about? I figured all the Sapphire Falls girls baked.”

She laughed. “They probably do.”

“Soyoubake.”

She shook her head. “Knowing Sapphire Falls girls does not automatically mean I know how to bake.”

“I’m so confused.”

“Me too. I thoughtyoubaked.”

“Why would you think that?”

“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I guess because you were all into the idea, and sinceIdon’t bake, I figured…” She trailed off and took a deep breath. “So the guys in Sapphire Falls don’t learn to bake from their moms and grandmas?”

“I have no idea.” He felt like he was missing something here.

“How do you have no idea?”

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