Page 38 of The Deal Maker

How did things change so quickly between us? Maybe I’ve been judging her too harshly, but I think Maggie Dean might actually be human. A very attractive one.

SEVENTEEN

MAGGIE

If someone had told me that within a few days I’d be excited to be waking up to work on a scavenger hunt with Duke, I would’ve laughed in their faces. There’s never been a reason to get excited about getting up early, which is the reason I never became a baker. Those hours are rough. Candy is grab and go, which makes my life a lot easier.

I dress in some casual pants that could work for my business but also be easy enough to move in. I’m not sure what the mayor had in store when she started this campaign to show off thetown, but I’ve enjoyed it so far. It’s fun to step outside my bubble every once in a while.

I walk toward the shop and see Duke leaning against the pillar. A sudden wave of “this hot guy is waiting for me” washes over me. It’s hard for my brain and my heart to put into alignment what it should be doing about the guy who sells timeshares.

It’s possible that the ice around my heart melted just a bit yesterday after helping the game shop owners. Duke was so kind and generous, offering to stock some of their shelves when Troy had a hard time lifting the boxes.

The guy is definitely different than I had originally thought. I just don’t know if I can chance being open with anyone ever again.

One failed relationship is about all I can handle in a lifetime. I’m not sure how women can survive multiple breakups of longer relationships.

“Good morning,” I say, giving Duke a small smile.

He glances up from his phone and grins at me, causing me to sigh inwardly. “How are you today, Maggie?”

“Doing well. Any idea what will be next on the list of our scavenger hunt?”

He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. I’m embarrassed to admit that I tracked his hand all the way through, definitely jealous.

There’s got to be something wrong with me with thoughts like that.

The familiar ping of the app sounds and I open it, feeling a bit of anxiety about what we’ll have to do today. I’m not sure I want to do something embarrassing. There better not be any skinny-dipping options here. I’m good with my clothes on at all times around this guy and everyone else in this town.

“Looks like we’re making cookie art at the bakery.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Like frosting cookies?”

I scan through the short paragraph on what we need to do for this and sigh. The task is to decorate a cookie with a landscape or something we love about Willow Cove. My artsy skills are probably in the negatives at this point. I’ve never been able to draw more than a stick figure.

We start walking toward the bakery and I’m just hoping I don’t screw this whole thing up. It’s like my brain is putting a ton of pressure on me to perform and I don’t want to mess anything up for me or for Duke.

“Hey, are you okay?” Duke asks, using his elbow to gently nudge me.

I shake my head, trying to clear all the negative thoughts and say, “I’m sorry if we ruin this, I mean if I ruin this for you. I’m the worst at any kind of art, especially the kind that gets sticky.”

He chuckles. “Wait, you don’t like things that are sticky?”

“No,” I say, giving him a cringing smile. “I have to wash my fingers immediately.”

“But you own a candy store. Do you have to do that every fifteen minutes?”

I chuckle at his question and say, “No, I use those plastic gloves for a lot of the items. It’s more sanitary.”

“Sounds like sanity too,” Duke says, giving me an open-mouthed smile.

I shake my head and lean a shoulder, nudging him away a few inches.

“What are you going to design in the cookie frosting?” I ask.

Duke looks at me for a moment before turning toward the bakery. “I’m not sure. I don’t think we can go wrong with the ocean and the beach.”

His admission has me rethinking everything in just a few seconds. “Like, just the beach and the blue water?” I’d beenpicturing the buildings downtown or the shops along the boardwalk.

---