Page 8 of Faking It with My Bossy Ex

“That was the heater, not Dylan.” I roll my eyes, not about to admit out loud just how handsome I find Dylan, lingering anger at him or not.

“Come here. I do have a donut for you.” Laura pulls out a chocolate one and slides it to me on a napkin. I lean against the counter and take a big bite.

“Mmm, my favorite.” The flavors explode in my mouth, erasing every other thought for an entire minute. “I don’t even care that it’ll go straight to my waist.”

“I thought brownies and ice cream were your favorite?” Laura says accusingly.

“Yes, but this is my favorite flavor of donuts. There's a difference, and your donuts are delicious. I'd say they almost compete with brownies and ice cream.”

Laura laughs. “It’s good to have you back in town. I’ve missed you. How long are you staying?”

“For the week. Just long enough to finish up with the fundraiser. I’m going to be teaching some painting classes, and I also donated a few of my pieces to the auction at the end.” My hands long for the cool handle of a paintbrush. That’s where I lose myself, in my art.

Laura's eyes light up. “I have been saving up all year, and now there’s going to be something good to buy at the auction? I can't wait.” Of course, Laura is as supportive as ever. Hence, why I consider her my sister. Now, if only Dylan would drop into a sinkhole on the way to wherever he’s going, my stay would be perfect.

I shake my head.

“You don’t have to pay for my paintings. If you want one, I’d be more than happy to make one for you.”

“I could never let you do that. Ripping off a friend is unacceptable. By the way, it’s $2.15 for that donut.” She winks.

I’m sure from the street, it looks odd: the two of us leaning over the counter, laughing with a half-eaten donut in my hand.

“Where will you be staying?” Laura asks once she recovers her composure.

“At the Cozy Haven Inn. I’ve booked a cabin.” Laura’s bakery smells like cinnamon and feels like a warm hug. Paired with the donut, melting into a puddle on the floor and taking a nap is a real possibility. I wonder if Dylan takes naps in the afternoon? An image of him sprawled out, looking relaxed, his arm flopped lazily over his forehead back when he fell asleep in my apartment. I kissed his lips, waking him up and …

Stop obsessing over him. He probably has forgotten I exist in the time it took him to drive down the block.

“I wish you could stay with me, but my roommates are all home for the holidays. Not to mention, I only have a single bed, so sharing would be hard.” Laura pulls out another chocolate donut from the case. “Both of us might not fit, but I’m willing to try if you want to.”

Laura’s words pull me back to the conversation and I accept the second donut.

“That’s all right. I’m looking forward to a week of staying in one of the cabins at the inn. I’ve never stayed there before, eventhough people say great things about that place.” As much as I love Laura, squeezing into a single bed and getting by on a few hours of sleep isn’t my idea of restful.

“All right then, I hope it’s a great stay. Are you doing anything for lunch? It would be easy to whip something up for us here.”

“Thank you, but I can’t stay here long. I have to go check in with the coordinators for the fundraiser to see what needs to be done today. After all, the whole thing starts the day after tomorrow. But I wanted you to be the first one I said hi to.”

I'm sure the fundraiser is going to be a load of fun but still, I wish I could curl up in the corner of Laura’s bakery with a good book and a couple more of her donuts and forget checking in with the administrators.

“The first one after Dylan, you mean,” Laura smiles mischievously. “Do I smell second chances and love in the air?”

There will be no new love interests for me for a while, if ever. I’ve been hurt too many times to trust my heart to anyone.

“No, you most certainly do not. The pact still stands. Dylan is not going to be a problem.” Oh, he’s definitely going to be a problem, but no one else needs to know about it. My traitorous heart is already conjuring up fantasies to keep me busy in my dreams.

Laura leans across the counter and pulls me in for another half-hug. “We’ll catch up again soon.”

The little bell rings above the door and a mother-daughter duo steps into the bakery. The girl points at the miniature Christmas tree set up in the corner. The bakery is a little winter wonderland, thanks to Laura's creative genius. I struggle into my extra coat and watch the falling snow through the window for a moment. I don’t want to go out there. It’s like walking into a blizzard.

Come on, don’t be a wimp.

Pushing through the door, I force one step in front of the other. A blast of chilly wind hits my face, almost freezing my face off. My car wasn’t perfect, but at least it offered protection from the wind.

As I trudge towards the library, the snow falls harder, like the sky's trying to bury any evidence of my return to Snowfall Springs. It's beautiful in that “I might freeze to death, but at least I'll look picturesque” kind of way.

The library is only three blocks from the bakery, but it feels like twenty with the weather.

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