Page 65 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

That was ONE TIME. No... I may have accidentally messaged a stranger.

...accidentally, how?

Okay, so I was trying to text Hannah about this massive wedding cake, and I typed the number wrong, and my first message to this complete stranger was, “I need help hiding this body; it’s bigger than I thought, and I can’t lift it alone”

LILY NO

LILY YES I was talking about the CAKE BODY, but this poor guy thought I was a legit murderer for like 10 minutes! Then I sent a pic of me covered in fondant, looking like a flour-dusted serial killer, and somehow, we ended up talking for THREE HOURS

Only you could accidentally attract a man by pretending to be a murderer

In my defense, he said my “murder cake” text was the most interesting wrong number he’s ever gotten. Also, he’s a pastry chef, so like... fate?

Or your bizarre serial killer energy finally found its match

Hey, some girls attract guys with their looks. I attract them with accidental homicide texts. Don’t judge my methods!

Are you telling me you’re cyber-flirting with a stranger?

Says the woman currently juggling multiple admirers But also YES, and he’s so funny and smart, and we’ve been trading pictures...

My eyes go wide.

LILY. Tell me he didn’t send you a pic.

GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER I meant, like, baking pictures! He sent me his sourdough starter (her name is Bertha, and she’s beautiful). Though I wouldn’t say no to other kinds of pictures...

I can’t believe you’re thirsting after bread boy

Excuse you, his name is Jaden, and his baguettes are magnificent

I snort so hard, Ash gives me a concerned look.

Are we still talking about bread?

Yes, his baguette does look very impressive

I’m dying

No dying allowed until you tell me what’s really bothering you. And don’t say nothing because you’ve been radio silent for days, and that only happens when you’re overthinking something

I stare at the phone, chest tight.

What if... what if you really like more than one person?

Then I’d say you have excellent taste and should probably buy a lottery ticket because, clearly, luck is on your side

I’m serious

So am I. What’s the actual problem here? Are they jerks? Because I will absolutely come home early, and we can egg their houses

No! God, no, they’re... they’re amazing. That’s part of the problem.

Only you would think amazing guys being into you is a problem Look, remember that romance novel series you got me hooked on? The one with the reverse harem?

This isn’t a book

No, but maybe it could be better. Real life usually is. Just saying...

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