Page 146 of Fire and Icing

Before she even greets me, I say, “We talked.”

“I’m so proud of you!” she shouts. “How’d it go?”

“Not great. But I am glad we talked. He stayed for dinner. We kissed goodbye. But we haven’t resolved anything.”

“Do you need me to come over?”

“No. Thank you. I think I just need to be alone and think.”

“Girl. That's literally the last thing you need. I’m coming over. Let me just wrap something up and I’ll be there with our two friends.”

“I don’t want anyone else to come right now. I’m hanging by a thread.”

“Not even Ben? And Jerry?”

“Oh! Them. Yes. They’re welcome to tag along.”

“That’s what I thought. I’ll see you in just a bit.”

I hang up the phone, a light smile on my face. I have Syd. That’s something.

The next day, Dustin’s on shift from seven a.m. to seven a.m. And when he gets off the following morning, I’m at the bakery. Now that we’re not living in the same house, our jagged schedules feel out of alignment. How did we manage to see oneanother so much before, and now I can’t seem to cross his path no matter how much I want to?

Maybe it’s Nashville and the potential separation. Everything’s been off since he made his announcement. Whatever it is, we can’t seem to find time to see one another.

I’m at the bakery the next day, Dustin’s day off, and the shop is packed with customers. It’s the beginning of summer. People stop in more through the weekdays and we hustle all morning long. The bell over the door tinkles, but I don’t even look up because I’m busy ringing up a birthday cake.

“I’m here for the donuts,” a warm, deep voice says.

My eyes lift to meet his. “Dustin.”

“Emberleigh.” His mouth tips up in that lopsided smile that always makes my stomach do a little flip.

I turn back to my customer, handing over the boxed cake. “Thank you, Steph. Tell Madson happy birthday from us.”

“Thanks, Emberleigh,” Steph says.

I turn to Dustin. “May I help you?”

“Always.”

I smile despite the crack in my heart. I’ll always want him and he’ll always affect me. That’s the trouble.

“Today, though,” he continues. “I want to pick up the donut order.”

“The donut order? Isn’t this your day off?”

“It is. Thank you for knowing that. I’m bringing a box by to the B crew.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“No. It’s selfish.”

I give Dustin a confused look.

“I had to think of some excuse to come see you. Then I thought, donuts! So I’m picking up donuts for the guys. Not my crew, but at least it’s giving me five minutes with you.”

“You’re making a point, aren’t you?”

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