Page 62 of Frosting and Flames

“Uh, yeah.” I hand them to her, unsure what to do with myself now that my task is finished. What, did I think Rachel would happen to be out here, take one look at me, and ask if we can pick up where we left off?

I inhale deeply, that cinnamon scent once a comfort, but now tinged with sadness. Like something that could’ve been.

“Are you okay?” Hailey asks, concern in her voice.

Jesus, how pathetic do I look? “I’m fine, sorry. Thanks for handing these out.”

I intend to turn and leave, but the door to the back opens, and as if I willed her there, Rachel steps out, carrying a fresh tray of cinnamon rolls. Maybe that’s why it smells so strongly of cinnamon.

She doesn’t notice me, and I watch her, unguarded, reliving the last time I saw her. The way her body had fit perfectly against mine, her lips soft as she kissed me with passion. Everything I’ve wanted for years.

Then the way she had pulled back, breathless but certain telling me she couldn’t do this.

She shifts, catching sight of me, and stops mid-stride, setting down her tray on the counter. “Hey.”

Her voice is unreadable, face carefully neutral. Even so, there’s a sudden tension in her posture, enough to make my stomach sink.

“Hey.” I dip my chin toward the flyers Hailey’s holding. “Just dropping those off.”

She nods and it’s silent, the only sound the muffled noise coming from the street outside. Hailey glances between us, appearing uncomfortable, and grabs the tray of cinnamon rolls. “I’ll put these away,” she murmurs, moving further away to the glass display case.

Rachel is staring down at the counter, fingers curled over the edge, not meeting my eyes. So this is how it’s going to be.

Sydney pushes through the double doors to the back, gaze on Rachel. “Hey, did you…” She trails off, picking up on the vibes as she looks between us, and doesn’t say any more.

I look one more time at Rachel, her lips pressed tightly together, throat moving in a hard swallow. She seems like she might… cry.

Ah, shit. I really ruined everything, didn’t I? I pushed the envelope kissing her in front of the camera, and this is what happened.

I shove my hands in my pockets so I don’t do something stupid like reach for her, wanting to comfort her. That’s the last thing she wants from me.

“I’ll get going.” I don’t want to cause her any more distress. Seeing her like this is already making my own chest too tight. “If I don’t see you before the cookoff…” I’m not sure where I’m going with this. “Take care.”

God, I sound like a moron.

I leave, but not before I hear Sydney whisper to Rachel, “What did you do to that poor man?”

I drop off more flyers at the community center and library, pausing for a few minutes to talk to Mrs. Klassen about my next scheduled visit to story time, then as I pass by the grocery store, decide to pop in there, too. I can’t remember if they have a bulletin board I could post the flyer on.

I’m hardly in the door, though, before a petite Asian woman is flagging me down. It takes me a moment to place her, having only met her once before at the fire station. No, wait, she showed up at the bakery last month when they had the small electrical fire, too.

Jae drags a man halfway across the store with her, smiling all the while. “Nick, hi.” She places a hand on her chest. “I’m Rachel’s friend, Jae.”

“I remember you.” It’s hard to forget her calling Kyle a slimy, pencil-dick bastard in casual conversation. I thought I’d be persona non grata with her, but maybe Rachel didn’t tell her what happened between us. Even so, I can still be friendly. “How are you?”

“Oh, I’m great.” There’s a knowing smirk tugging at her lips I’m not quite sure how to interpret. “This is my husband, Josh,” she says, introducing the man next to her. “Josh, this is Rachel’s friend, Nick. Thefirefighter,” she adds meaningfully.

Well, clearly they’ve been gossiping about me.

Josh holds out his hand and I shake it. “Good to put a face with the name.” He looks down at the shopping basket in his other hand. “I’m, uh, going to keep shopping.”

Jae shoos him off, and he whispers to me before he leaves, “Good luck.”

Wonderful.

“So, not to get too personal,” Jae says, clearly about to do just that, “but why haven’t you asked my girl out yet?”

I nearly sputter at her directness. “What?”

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