Page 14 of Frosting and Flames

“I did.” She’s still smiling, with no clue she did anything wrong. “He was cute. You should—”

“Jae, swear to me you’re not joking.”

Her smile falters. “I’m not joking.”

“Shit.” I press the heels of my palms to my eyes, pacing in front of the workstation.

Nick said he’s doing fundraising for the fire station. He’ll have seen my name on whatever signup thing Jae did. It was already so awkward last week and now he’s going to think I signed up. That I’m stalking him or something.

Or worse—interested.

Jae laughs, like I’m being dramatic for comedic effect. “You said you don’t have history with him, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right?”

I stop my pacing, glaring at her. “Well, I was obviously lying.”

“Obviously,” she agrees.

Oh, so she knew and, what? Wanted to call my bluff? Fine. If she wants the truth, here it is.

“When we were fifteen, Nick set off a firecracker right out there.” I point toward the back wall that faces the alley. “He burned down half our bakery.”

Jae’s eyes bug out, her mouth opening in shock, but nothing comes out.

“So, yes, there’s history.”

“Rachel, oh my God,” she finally chokes out. “Why didn’t you say something?”

I wave my hand at her. “Because I knew you’d make a big deal out of it.”

“Of course I would. When I saw you two, I thought it was romantic tension, not you burned down my bakery tension.”

I sigh. “I’m not mad at him or anything. I just… haven’t spoken to him since.”

“You’re not mad at him? I’d be mad as hell.”

“He didn’t do it on purpose.” It had been one of those freak occurrences, like a perfect storm. And add to it that his mom had recently died, leaving him alone with his dad—who I heard completely shut down afterward… I don’t know. It felt wrongeven then to be angry, especially when he was so remorseful. He’d completed hundreds of hours of community service at the fire station after juvie. Then dedicated his life to fire safety by becoming a firefighter.

Not that I kept tabs on what he was doing or anything.

“I don’t interact with him, is all,” I continue. “After everything that happened.”

“Rachel, I’m sorry.” She hops down from the counter and comes over to hug me. Jae always gives the best hugs, putting her whole body into it and swaying side to side. It’s impossible not to feel better afterward. “I’ll go down there and explain it was a mix-up signing you up. That I didn’t realize it conflicts with your schedule or something.”

Would that make things worse calling attention to it like that? Like I changed my mind and don’t want to do it now?

I groan. “No, let’s get it over with. But you’re never volunteering me for anything ever again.”

She makes an X motion over her chest. “Cross my heart.”

I nearly laugh aloud. Sure, she seems contrite now. But she’ll conveniently forget when it suits her next. “How do you always manage to get away with this kind of stuff?”

She compresses her lips, but still can’t fully hide her smile. “It actually takes more work than you’d think.”

Yeah, I believe it.

I have more dough to make, but I go in the walk-in cooler for a moment by myself, resting my forehead against the metal rack.

So, I’ll be seeing Nick again. Not a big deal. I’ve seen him plenty around town over the years. And after last week, I’ve even talked to him. This pancake breakfast doesn’t have to be anything different. A courteous hello and goodbye. Maybe some civil head nods and respectful smiles. I can do this.

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