Page 58 of The Icing on the Cake
“Oh, absolutely. I have access to all the old church records and family genealogies. This V fellow was quite the romantic.” She delicately folds the letter and tucks it inside the envelope. “I’ll do some digging and see what I can uncover about our mystery lovers.”
I hand Mrs. Nelson her coffee and cupcakes, watching her tuck a few dollars into the tip jar before she leaves. Then I take out the small carving Lucian made me from my other pocket and roll it around in my hand, admiring the intricate details.
“Who made that?” Emmy asks, appearing beside me with an armful of new releases.
“Lucian,” I say. “He gave it to me at Maple Fest on our first date.”
She studies it, shooting me a sideways glance. “That’s not exactly something you give someone on a practice date. He’s very persistent, isn’t he?”
I run my thumb over the smooth wood. “Persistent is one word for it. I don’t know why though. Hockey players aren’t typically this thoughtful.”
“Maybethishockey player is.” She leans against the counter, flashing me a very Lorelai Gilmore look ofI’m about to meddle in your life.“Maybe he’s thoughtfulandromantic.”
I set the cupcake down on the counter. “I’ve made it clear I don’t have time for a relationship and I’m moving. I’m not sure what his game is.”
“His game?” Emmy tilts her head. “Lucian helped you make ten dozen cupcakes the other night. No man would do that unless they’re crazy about the woman who’s baking them.”
“Maybe, but it hardly qualifies as a date either.”
She scoffs. “You were together for how many hours?”
“All evening the night before he left for his away games.”
Emmy’s eyes widen. “Theentireevening?”
“It wasn’t like that,” I protest, even though he gave me his kitchen to use, luring me in with the new stove he bought. I’ll be honest, I may have even drooled over his new stainless-steel double oven. The guy barely cooks, except for those delicious waffles, which makes me think he might have bought this for me.
“I think you spend more time with Lucian alone than I spend with my fiancé,” Emmy says.
“We weren’t alone,” I say. “Henry was there.”
“Because he’s been so effective at keeping you two apart so far?” she says, her mouth tilting up slyly. “I remember you telling me you were curled up in his bed with Henry once already.”
My cheeks heat as I look away, pretending to busy myself with cleaning the counter. “I was worried about Lucian. And we’re both grown adults.”
“Mmm-hmm.Adults.Doing adult things.” She nods skeptically. “Because a good cuddle session always heals bruised ribs.”
I throw a crumpled napkin at her, which she avoids easily. “Admit it, I’m right,” she says with a slight smirk, crossing her arms. “You like him.”
I narrow my eyes. “I knew I’d regret telling you about the night I fell asleep next to him.”
“Neesha, when are you going to admit that this isn’t just practice anymore? You need to get back into the dating scene. It might as well be with someone who’ll treat you well.”
“You remember what Nate did to me. The way he tried to control who I talked to, where I went. He made me disappear piece by piece until I didn’t recognize myself.” I busy myself rearranging cups that don’t need rearranging, just to avoid her. “And I’m moving. This whole situation is too complicated.”
“Only because you’re making it complicated.” She rounds the barista bar to corner me behind the counter. “He clearly adores you. And don’t think I haven’t noticed how you look at him when you think no one’s watching.”
I scoff lightly. “I do not.”
“The last time he came in here, you spilled coffee all over the counter because you were watching him talk to Mary-Ellen.”
“Mary-Ellen is the town’s biggest gossip. I don’t trust what she might say.”
“Neesha, he was giving her advice on fixing her dishwasher.”
“Yes, he’salwaysso helpful,” I mutter under my breath as I scrub the mug. “Which is exactly my problem.”
He fixes things without being asked and never makes me feel like I owe him anything in return. Every small gesture chips away at my resolve.
