Page 16 of Crossed Paths
“I know.”
“And you’re terrified.”
“Also, yes.”
She leans forward, eyes sparkling. “So, here’s what you do.”
I brace myself.
“You bring him a lemon tart.”
I blink. “What?”
“You heard me. You bake—”
“Buy,” I cut in.
“—a lemon tart, and you take it to him. You know he loves them.”
I narrow my eyes. “How doyouknow that?”
“I’m the village GP. I know everyone’s medical historyanddessert preferences.”
“That’s disturbing.”
“It’s called being observant, Ally.”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. “So your big romantic solution is citrus and sugar?”
Mandy grins. “It’s a start. But no, what youactuallyneed to do is talk to him.”
My smile falters. “Talk?”
“Yes. You know, like two adults who’ve just had sex on a pool table and might possibly want to do it again without emotionally imploding.”
I groan. “God, I don’t even know what I’d say.”
“Start with the basics. Ask him what this is—what hewants. Is he looking to date you? To be your secret pub table fling? Friends with benefits?” She pauses. “Although, from what you’ve said, it doesn’t really sound like that.”
I shake my head. “No. He wasn’t casual.”
“Exactly. So ask. And then you tell him what pace you’re comfortable with. Whether you need time, space, slow Sundays, no pressure, whatever.”
“And what if it’s too messy?” I ask quietly.
Mandy reaches across the table and touches my wrist. “Then you handle it like you handle everything else, Ally—straightforward, strong, and with more grace than you give yourself credit for.”
My throat tightens, but I manage a nod.
She leans back, sipping her coffee again. “And bring the tart. It never hurts to have lemon on your side.”
Hunter lives in a small stone cottage on the edge of the village, tucked neatly behind a low wall covered in moss and wild lavender. It’s all verybrooding romantic lead meets rustic charm, which frankly isn’t helping my nerves.
In my hand is a white box from the bakery, tied with string, containing two lemon tarts that smell like hope and regret and butter.
I stand at his garden gate for a good fifteen seconds before I even open it.
Then I walk up the short path to his front door.
