Page 85 of As They Are
“This was a great idea,” she said. “And now I’m adding income when the strawberries slow down. I already have new blueberry bushes planted, and next year I can do something with that.” Her eyes landed on Henry as he stepped closer to me to let someone through. “Oh, hey. You’re hanging out with Wren today?”
“She wanted to come, and I hardly ever make it to these things. They’re busy, even on a hot day.”
“You get used to the heat after a while,” she said with a shrug. “How did filming go?”
“It was short and sweet,” I said as I grabbed the two jam jars. I inspected them, wondering how I would add it to my regular breakfast, and by the time I looked up, Henry was handing his card to Mollie.
“Quick, before she sees.” His voice was hushed.
“Henry!” I said. “I was supposed to?—”
“It’s too late,” Mollie said. “I have the card and I’m running it.”
I crossed my arms. Henry looked so smug. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to smack the look off his face or kiss it off.
“You know I owe you.”
“Breakfast was paid for. I had to do my boyfriend duties somehow.”
“Boyfriend duties, huh?” Mollie asked with a laugh. “He’s serious about this.”
“Very much so,” I replied.
“I aim to be the best.”
Mollie hummed, and she had the same facial expression as the day Henry had given me the four-leaf clover. My developing crush must have been so obvious for her.
“Where are you going after this?” Mollie asked.
“I wanna see all the vendors,” I replied. “Maybe Jade’s Goodies, if Henry can tolerate me for that long.”
“I absolutely can,” he replied.
“Would you go so far as to say youenjoyWren’s presence?” Mollie asked.
Damn her.
“I’d go further.” Henry’s eyes met mine. “I look forward to it when I wake up in the morning.”
Shit.My heart skipped a beat, and for a second, I thought this was all real.
Then I brought myself back to reality. We were in public. The town thought we were together. That’s all this was.
“Have fun then,” Mollie said, but she gave me a smile that told me she’d caught all of that.
“We will.”
“Oh! And let me know if Jade has the strawberry-scented candles,” she said as we were walking off. “I have an addiction that must be satisfied!”
“I will!” I called back as I tried to get my heart to slow down. I couldn’t take Henry when he was treating me like this.
He stopped me only a few steps later. “Is the heat getting to you? Your face is red.”
“A little,” I lied. In reality,hewas the one getting to me.
“Let’s get some water before you get dehydrated.”
“I see iced coffee.”
