Page 59 of Fire and Icing

“Thank you,” I say to Cass.

We all take seats in the cozy back room Daisy has set up with love seats, overstuffed chairs and a coffee table. Out the windows, the rear of the property sprawls to the edge of the woods. We settle into a discussion about the book, and when we’re finished, everyone sticks around to eat cookies and catch up with one another. Most of the novelty of the topic of me and Dustin seems to have worn off.

I’m talking to Daisy about the bookshop. We always end up in conversations about owning our own businesses and I usually walk away feeling seen and encouraged.

Carli and Winona are over in the corner. Carli asks Winona, “Didn’t you start dating someone from that dating app?”

I catch Syd’s eyes going momentarily wide. Then she smiles a bit too brightly.

In a voice that’s louder than usual, Syd says, “Who meets people on those apps?”

All eyes are on her.

“I mean—of course people do, but … I don’t know. It’s just not really my thing.” She pauses. “Carry on. Ignore me.”

She grabs a pig-in-a-blanket off her appetizer plate and stuffs it in her mouth.

I study my best friend. She’s definitely acting weird. Something’s up.

“Excuse me,” I say to Daisy.

“Sure.”

I walk over to Syd and whisper, “Are you seeing someone?”

Syd shakes her head a little too hard, if you ask me. “I’d tell you if I were. Now stop fretting. You need to keep your mind clear for the contest.”

“We’ve never kept secrets,” I whisper.

“So … maybe that’s your answer,” she says. Then she walks over to Daisy and says, “I never thanked you for hosting tonight. You’re so thoughtful to always open the shop for us.”

“You’re welcome. Of course,” Daisy says.

Daisy glances over at me and says, “The cookies were delicious, as always. What’s your secret?”

I’m about to answer her when there’s a knock at the front door.

“Who could that be?” Cass asks. “Everyone knows we’re closed for book club tonight.”

Daisy walks out of the back room through the shop toward the front door.

“Well, hello there,” she says to whomever is at the door. “Were your ears buzzing?”

I’d recognize the voice answering her anywhere these days. It’s not as deep as it was in the morning in Gran’s kitchen, but it’s undeniably him. What is Dustin doing here?

“Uh. I’m sorry to interrupt. We got an email … I mean … Could I … Is Emberleigh here?”

I’m already through the shop on my way to the front door before he’s halfway finished asking for me.

“I’ll just leave you two to it, then,” Daisy says, skittering out of the room like a squirrel with a cheekful of walnuts.

“What are you doing here?” My tone sounds like an accusation, even to my own ears.

Dustin smiles. Of course he does. “Aren’t you happy to see yourboyfriend?” He emphasizes the word with a twinkle in his eye and leans casually against the door jamb, landing in a pose that would make many women lose their minds. Not me. Which is good.

“Of course, I’m happy to see you. Just …”

Why does he make me feel so flustered? It’s not the way he’s smiling and looking straight into my eyes, propped on that doorway like he doesn’t have a care in the world except looking at me.

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