Page 40 of Fa-La-La-La Faking It
“Supportive,” Adaline sighed.
After the rules discussion—after the forehead kiss, which left her feeling all warm and gooey inside when what she really wanted was to be mad at him for teasing her—she’d fully expected Jace to turn around and walk back out the door.
She wouldn’t have blamed him one bit. She’d really put all of her insecurities and nuttiness on full display today. Most men she’d known would’ve gone running for the hills.
Not Jace, though. He’d made her laugh, and then, just when she thought she was rid of him, he’d stuck around and helped her clean up the mess she’d made.
She couldn’t believe her eyes when he started picking up pies and carrying them to the back room. He boxed them up. He labeled them in neat, masculine handwriting. He wiped down countertops and swept the floor.
No one had ever taken such perfect care of Adaline like that before. Her intensity could be overwhelming. She knew this about herself. But Jace never wavered. He just loyally stayed put like the golden retriever that he was.
“I’ve lost track.” Maple plucked a marshmallow from the selection of hot chocolate garnishes and popped it into her mouth. “Are we talking about Jace or Lady Bird?”
“Both.” Adaline felt herself frown. “I think.”
Maple regarded her as she chewed her marshmallow. “That article was cute, but I hope you know a supportive partner shouldn’t be considered extraordinary. Frankly, that should be the baseline. You deserve someone who loves you just the way you are and isn’t afraid to show it.”
Adaline knew she was right. But in her experience, that sort of man was more like a unicorn than a golden retriever—more fantasy than reality. She’d never actually encountered one in real life.
“I just hope that person is Jace,” Maple said, while Lady Bird leaned against her legs and gazed up at her with liquid brown eyes.
A weight settled on Adaline’s heart, and she responded the only way she could, seeing as he was supposed to be her boyfriend.
“Me too,” she said as Jace’s eyes found her from across the square. Then the weight on her heart took root until it almost felt like a wish—something impossibly far off and unattainable that only came true at Christmas.
She was in trouble, wasn’t she? So very much trouble. She absolutely couldn’t break another rule.
“I really do.”
Chapter Thirteen
The following morning, Adaline’s phone started pinging before she even got out of bed. By the time she dragged her eyes open, Fuzzy was lying on her chest and licking her face, ready for his morning walk. She threw on a red cashmere sweater and jeans, clipped Fuzzy’s leash to his collar and read the string of messages on the Comfort Paws group chat while he trotted merrily along the sidewalk, still dotted with patches of melting snow.
Jenna: Gals! Meet me in front of the dance studio as soon as you get this message. I can’t wait to show you all something.
Belle: On my way. What’s going on?
Maple: LB and I are headed right over.
Adaline hastened her steps and tapped out a quick response indicating she and Fuzzy would be there in five. When she rounded the corner near the square, she spotted all three of her friends already gathered in front of Jenna’s studio with their dogs. As usual, Lady Bird towered over the smaller Cavaliers. Compared to Ginger, Peaches and Fuzzy, the golden was a true gentle giant.
Jenna waved as Adaline approached. “Oh, good. You’re here!”
“Morning!” Maple gave her an air-kiss.
“Finally. I thought bakers woke up crazy early while it was still dark outside.” Belle gave Adaline a hug while the three Cavaliers shimmied around each other until their leashes looked like a knot of spaghetti noodles.
“Believe it or not, I’m all caught up on special orders, so we slept in a bit. Things have been nuts lately.” On every possible level, frankly. “What’s the urgent meeting about?”
“I held off on showing the others because I wanted to show all of you at the same time.” Jenna smoothed the hair at her temples where it led to her ballerina bun. Even in a puffer coat and leggings, she still looked every inch a dancer. Her boyfriend, Cam, was a professional football player. Together, they were practically Bluebonnet royalty. “I got to the studio early this morning to go over recital details before the dance moms descended and look what I saw!”
She pranced—because that’s truly how graceful Jenna’s movements were—to the storefront next door to Bluebonnet Ballet School, her baby. For as long as Adaline could remember, the space had been occupied by the day care center Tiny Tots Day School, which had provided nice crossover business for Jenna’s dance school.
“Ta-da!” Jenna said and waved Vanna White–style at the new sign propped in the day care’s front window.
This space is available for lease beginning January 1.
“The day care center is closing. This is their last week in business.” Jenna’s entire face lit up. “Are you guys thinking what I’m thinking?”
