Page 147 of Fire and Icing

“I’m not really trying to make a point. I’m just trying to see you before I leave to do my demo.”

“They set a date?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll be gone for three days. Captain gave me time off.” He pauses. “Three days, Emberleigh. I’ll be back four days from now. After recording tomorrow and the next day, and industry meetings both days, I’ll be on a late-night talk show. Then they booked a gig for me the day after that. If you and Sydney want to come down, I’d love to see you there.”

I look around the shop. Every table is full. There are people standing around on the sidewalk outside the plate glass windows. There’s a line at the register.

“I don’t think I can get away.”

“I understand.”

“Here. Tell me what flavors you want.” I grab a box for a dozen donuts and pop it open.

“Whatever you think is best.” His voice sounds a little dejected.

I fill the box with twelve donuts. Then I grab a separate paper bag and I plop two blueberry-lemon into it.

“On the house,” I say, handing the box and bag over to Dustin.

“Thanks, Firecracker. I guess I’ll see you when I’m back.”

“Yeah. That sounds good.”

He turns and my eyes follow him until he’s out of sight.

I’m an idiot. I should rip off my apron and chase him down like some lovesick heroine in a romance movie. If life were a movie, I would. The townspeople would cheer. He’d drop the donuts and catch me up in his arms. Maybe he’d even spin me. I’d slide down and he’d hold me midair and kiss me. We’d say something sappy and the screen would fade to black, assuming the happily ever after was a bygone conclusion. If life were a movie …

I look at Syd. She raises her brows and thins her lips.

“I know,” I mouth to her.

“Can I get a cookie?” one of my favorite preschoolers asks from below the counter.

“Hey, Chance. Of course you can get a cookie. What kind do you want?” I smile at his mom and walk down the display case to the spot where all our cookies sit neatly in trays according to their type—even the remaining white-chocolate strawberry ones.

The day never lets up. Customers flow in consistently. Syd and I take turns taking our lunch breaks. It’s afternoon when a delivery person walks into the shop.

“Emberleigh?”

“Yes. I’m here.”

He walks over and hands me a clipboard. “Sign, please.”

I sign and he hands me a box.

I step away from the counter to grab scissors and carefully open the package.

“What is it?” Syd asks.

“I don’t know. It’s from Plated Network.”

I open the box and tip it. A frame slides out. Inside the frame is a certificate saying that Dustin and I won this year’s contest. Next to the certificate is a photo of me and Dustin with the host.

“Aww. I love that,” Syd says from over my shoulder. “Let’s hang it in the shop for everyone to see.”

“Okay.” I agree. But all I can think is how the contest feels like a lifetime ago and Dustin feels like my favorite memories all wrapped up into one soul.

He’s the best person I know. And he deserves to pursue his dreams. I want to be the woman who stands by him and supports him every step of the way. I just don’t know how to do that and still be true to who I am. I have a full-time business in a town I love. My community relies on me. I’m tied here. It’smy home. My thoughts circle around the same two loops they’ve been treading ever since Dustin told me his big news. I want him to chase his dreams. I don’t know how to support him without giving up everything else that matters to me.

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