Page 63 of Give Me a Reason

Frederick

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Anne sighed contentedly as she browsed the overstuffed souvenir shop and bakery, housed in what felt like a rustic alpine cabin. It was kitschy and chaotic, and she absolutely adored it. So did everyone else in town by the looks of it.

She’d lost the rest of her group in the crowd a few minutes ago, but she wasn’t in a rush to find them. She wanted to take her time browsing through the myriad pie-themed paraphernalia, ranging from aprons printed with pie puns to pie-scented bath bombs. It made the apple pie she was devouring, with its sweet and tart filling and flaky, flavorful crust, even more delicious.

Their day trip to Cambria was coming to a successful end. She stood a little taller and allowed herself to feel proud. It still took effort to take up space, but she didn’t want to dismiss her hard work and accomplishment. Maybe she didn’t want to bejust Anneanymore if it meant she had to put herself last every single time.

“I bet you can’t sayolallieberrythree times fast,” Frederick said close to her ear.

Anne covered her shiver with a huff of laughter. “Olallieberry, olallieberry, olallieberry.”

“Show-off.” He scoffed teasingly, taking a bite of his olallieberry pie.

“I’m an actor.” She dragged her eyes away when his tongue darted out to swipe a crumb off the corner of his mouth. “Clear enunciation is part of my craft.”

“Like I said”—he grinned—“show-off.”

God, she loved his smile. Before she could melt into a puddle, she shoved a too-big bite of apple pie into her mouth. There were times to try new things—like olallieberry pie, a regional specialty—and there were times to have apple pie. But for Anne, it was always time to have apple pie, because no other pie would ever compare.

“Are you sure you don’t want to try some?” Frederick raised a forkful of olallieberry pie and waved it tantalizingly in front of her face.

“Are you going to want to taste mine in exchange?” Anne narrowed her eyes at him.

“Seems only fair.” His lips twitched when her shoulders drooped. “But all’s fair in pie and… pie? So you don’t have to give me any.”

“Nowyou’reshowing off.” She laughed a bit breathlessly, his light teasing making her heart skip a beat. “I’m going to look like a greedy pie hoarder if I don’t share mine, too. You’re so sneaky.”

“You got me.” He held his fork in front of her mouth. “Eat.”

She gave him one last glare and opened her mouth. His gaze turned strangely focused as her lips wrapped around his fork, but then she had to close her eyes because…Oh my God.She moaned as the airy, flaky crust melted against her tongue and the tart berries exploded in her mouth.

“Frederick.” Anne opened her eyes, feeling like her whole world had shifted. “I think I found my second-favorite pie.”

His fork seemed to tremble in his hand as he withdrew it from her. But she must have imagined it because he flashed her a grin that was 100 percent cocky. “Yoursecond-favorite?You’re in denial. I saw your expression. Olallieberry is your new favorite.”

“Oh, shush.” She shoved a forkful of apple pie into his mouth. “I would never betray apple pie.”

“Damn,” he mumbled around a mouthful. “This is probably the best bite of pie I’ve ever had.”

“I have a feeling all their pies are good.” Everyone bustling around the bakery and souvenir shop with its charming farmhouse décor wore a happy smile. Who could be sad around good pie? “This place really is a gem, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he said with an odd catch in his voice. When she turned back to him, his eyes were already on her as though they’d never left. “I’m beginning to think this whole trip was a brilliant idea.”

“Of course it was.” Coraline came to stand beside Anne. “It was my idea.”

“But Anne’s the one who planned it,” Bethany protested from a couple of steps away, distracted by the adorable food-themed refrigerator magnet display. This was why Anne loved her kind and generous baby cousin.

She felt a tinge of guilt at her flirty pie exchange with Frederick. But she had no reason to feel guilty about being Frederick’s friend, even if Bethany was interested in him as more than a friend.

“You’re right. Anne gets the credit for this one. Thank you for keeping me honest, Beth.” Coraline patted her little sister’s head when she joined them, leaving the magnets behind. Bethany swatted her hand away, shooting an embarrassed look at Frederick. “Thank you so much for putting this amazing trip together, Anne. We’re all having such a good time.”

Anne swallowed the self-effacingit was nothingon the tip of her tongue. “It was my pleasure.”

The rest of their group meandered over, and they formed a loose circle of chatty, pie-eating friends in a corner of the store. Once the last bit of pie was scraped off their plates and deposited into their greedy mouths, they made their way toward the exit.

“You guys go ahead,” Frederick called out. “I’ll catch up with you.”

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