Page 38 of Rematch
Preston gave him a salute, signing the credit card slip Yvonne had just returned with before standing as well. “I’ll see you later.”
He pulled on his jacket and bid Yvonne goodbye, then stepped back out into the cold air, pointing his feet in the direction of Sugar and Spice Bakery.
His first thought was here goes nothing, but he quickly revised it.
Here goes everything.
Chapter Six
An hour earlier…
Chelsea glanced up when she spotted someone standing outside the large front window of the bakery. She groaned aloud when she saw Rick waving at her from the sidewalk.
“Jesus Christ,” Ethan muttered.
“Ethan, we’ve talked about this.”
Her best friend shot her a look that said more than words could.
“We’re just friends,” she added, even though that wasn’t going to help her case.
“Friends,” Ethan said, like the word tasted nasty. “He doesn’t want to be your friend, Cupcake. He wants you back.”
Chelsea shook her head. “No. He doesn’t. Rick and I grew up together, just like you and I did. We have a long—and yes, complicated—history, but he’s apologized, and he’s gone the extra mile since then. I told him all we can be is friends, and he agreed.”
“He lied. Because the guy keeps coming back like a hungry mosquito,” Ethan muttered.
Chelsea rose. “I’m going to go talk to him.”
“Notice how he’s not walking in here? He’s too afraid to face me because he knows I see through his bullshit.”
Chelsea rolled her eyes. “He’s faced you countless times in the past five months. He’s probably avoiding you because you’ve been extremely unpleasant, bordering on rude every single time.”
“Only bordering?” Ethan asked in dismay. “Dammit. I’m going to have to double down on my efforts.”
Chelsea tried hard not to laugh because it would only encourage her bestie. “Stay here.”
Ethan didn’t bother to reply, just turned his attention back to the brochure of industrial countertops they’d been perusing.
She walked outside, smiling at Rick, who was admiring their new sign. If anyone would have told her a year ago she’d not only forgive Rick for jilting her but open the door to a friendship, she would have called them crazy.
Unfortunately, Chelsea didn’t realize she’d forgotten to put her jacket on until she’d stepped out into the chilly December air. “Hey, Rick. What’s up?”
“I stopped by your parents’ house earlier to return the snowblower my dad borrowed from yours. Dad’s is on the fritz again.”
Chelsea laughed. “It’s been on the fritz for twenty years.”
Rick chuckled. “I know. Which is why I’m giving him one for Christmas. Getting tired of hauling your dad’s back and forth just because my car is a practical size.”
“I still can’t believe your folks bought a MINI Cooper.”
“Mom thinks it’s cute. I think it’s a pain in the ass.”
“So what brings you here?”
“Your mom told me the sign was up. I wanted to see it. It looks great, Chels.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” The two of them took a moment to admire it.
