Page 41 of Sugar Coated Secrets

“So Danny turned out to be an overlapper,” Katie says, packing today’s deliveries.

“An overlapper?”

“Yeah, it’s when a person starts a relationship while still in another one, knowing that the current one will not work out. They suddenly break up with the person when they feel secure in the new one.”

“I’ve never heard of that?”

I don’t have experience in any kind of relationship because I’ve never had a boyfriend, but that sounds like a lame thing to say to someone like Katie. She’s spunky and full of spirit. She’s had three boyfriends and has more experience than I do when it comes to guys.

“Yeah, it’s like an emotional airbag. Some are even habitual or serial overlappers.”

“Sounds like they’re serial killers.”

She snorts. “Yeah, of people’s feelings. They try to convince themselves that they’re not cheating when, in fact, emotionally,they are because they are trying to forge a connection with the next person.”

“I think it’s cheating. How can you string someone along like that, giving them hope when you know you're not interested in them anymore.”

“Ford Keller raced to your rescue, huh?”

“He was there at the right time.”

“Do you think it was a coincidence or the luck of the draw?” she asks curiously.

I never thought about it. I was so wrapped up the entire weekend when he stayed until the sun came up to make sure I was okay. I cleaned and spent time with my grandma for the rest of the weekend. I was thinking about what it meant that he stayed and how I responded to being in his arms. I felt safe. None of it made any sense. I should’ve been afraid, but maybe my subconscious was trying to tell me something.

“I’m not sure. Ford was?—”

“Perfect?”

I sigh. “He isn’t perfect, but guys like Ford usually seem like they are, and women want to believe it.”

“How many hearts do you think he’s broken?”

“I’m sure plenty. He’s famous, rich, and good-looking, but I won’t be one of them.”

“Why not?” she asks, placing the orders gently on the counter.

I grab my back from underneath the counter by the register. “It would never work. He’s him, and I’m…me.”

And I’m not sure if he had anything to do with what happened.

Even if he didn’t, a guy like Ford doesn’t end up with a girl like me. I’m stuck in this town like most of the people here.

She snorts, giving me a doubtful look. “I think you're selling yourself short.”

“You haven’t lived in this town long enough.”

“You’re probably right, but I’m here working with this town's best baker. Here are the invoices, keys, and the address for Ford’s delivery.” My stomach does a little flip thinking about seeing him again for some reason, and I slide my hands down the front of my uniform.

Katie gives me a knowing smile. “You look great.”

I check the time, knowing Danny will walk in any second for his coffee, and I don’t want to see him. I grab the invoices, keys, and three boxes while Katie grabs the other three, and we head out to the white van.

After securing the orders in the back, I open the driver’s side door, ignoring its weird sound, followed by the loud slam when I close it. The van is old. Some would say it was considered a piece of shit clunker.

The starter whines and then pops after a series of spluttering backfires, but it finally catches. A cloud of smoke spills from the back. It’s a hot day. The heat and the smell of burning oil and gas float across the parking area. I place the van in reverse, and it jerks. It’s worse than last week, but I don’t have money for repairs, and the last place I want to go was to a mechanic who would break my heart with the estimate to fix it.

After the first delivery, I start the van, surprised they don’t call the cops for a noise complaint as I drive down the road. I set my phone's GPS between the cracked gray vinyl on the dash and follow the directions.

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