Page 40 of Sweet Surprises

“Great,” he said. “I’m Josh. I’ll let you know as soon as they’re ready.”

“Nice to meet you, Josh,” Charlotte replied. “I’m Charlotte.”

“Welcome to town, Charlotte,” Josh said with a smile that crinkled his brown eyes.

“How did you know I was new?” she asked.

“If anyone around here had a camera that nice, I’d already know them,” Josh told her. “I’m the only print shop in town, after all. And I’m a bit of an amateur photographer myself. I take most of the pictures for the Sugarville Grover.”

“That’s awesome,” Charlotte said, noticing that he was about her age, and maybe a potential friend. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you a lot.”

They headed back outside, and Allie giggled as soon as they were out the door.

“What?” Charlotte asked.

“Whatshe asks,” Allie said, shaking her head. “He obviously thought you were cute.”

“I don’t know about that,” Charlotte said. “We just have something in common. He probably just wants to make a new friend.”

“You’re alreadymyfriend,” Allie teased. “But I can’t believe you weren’t picking up on his vibes. You must really be serious about your no-guys rule.”

“Very serious,” Charlotte assured her as they crossed back over to Moose Avenue. “I need a break.”

“You’re still hurting?” Allie asked.

“No, actually,” Charlotte said. “That’s the weird thing. I’m actually feeling more like myself right now than I have in years.”

“So why not drop the moratorium on dating?” Allie asked.

“BecauseI feel better,” Charlotte said, realizing out loud that it was the truth. “Also, because with a little distance I can see that you were right about him, and you two never even met. I think a little time off might help me recalibrate my radar.”

“Good,” Allie said. “I like that answer.”

It hit Charlotte suddenly that Allie might like that answer because she somehow sensed that Charlotte was attracted to Tag.

Please, don’t let her see that. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a harmless crush.

But even as the thought went through her mind, Charlotte wasn’t sure it was true.

Allie pushed open the door to the pizza shop and Charlotte realized that it was practically the only storefront in town without Christmas decorations.

That didn’t matter though, once the restaurant enveloped her senses. It was warm inside, and it smelled like woodsmoke and delicious pizza seasonings. The clean lines of the palewood interior were a change from all the authentic Victorian architecture she had seen since arriving. And the place was packed.

“This is different,” Charlotte said.

“The owner is a flatlander,” Allie said, shrugging. “But she really knows how to cook.”

“Hey, I’m a flatlander too,” Charlotte protested.

“Yeah, but we adopted you,” Allie said fondly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “You’re one of us now.”

“Hey, Allie,” a hostess said. “Table for two?”

“Yes, please, Vicky,” Allie said. “This is my college roommate, Charlotte.”

“Is that so?” Vicky said, her eyes widening slightly with interest.

Allie shook her head at Vicky, and Vicky gave a little chuckle before leading them back to a nice little table with two chairs.

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