Page 61 of A Very Merry Enemy
The first time we worked together, we burned cookies, and she told me I reminded her of her ex. The second time, she kissed me, and I didn’t kiss her back, but then held her all night, leaving before she woke up. Tomorrow, we have to figure out how to bake together without wasting any more time. The stakes have been raised.
Lucas
When?
Holiday
Now? I prepped for this morning yesterday, so I just need to bake. I can chat while I do that.
I look at the chain saws I’m supposed to deliver to the back lot. My heart races as I type out my message.
Lucas
On my way.
I head toward the bakery like a man on a mission.
When I push the door open, the bell jingles cheerfully, like it has all season.
In the kitchen, Holiday’s placing cookies on a sheet. She’swearing jeans and a Grinch sweatshirt, and her hair is pulled into a high ponytail. And she’s wearing her red lipstick.
I’m staring, not able to help it. Holiday looks up and waves me to the back. We haven’t been face-to-face since last night when I told her she wasn’t a quitter.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey. Mornin’.”
The energy buzzes between us, but it’s different than it’s been, more charged, and I want to figure out what that means.
She twists her hands together. “So. I was thinking we could get together and bake tomorrow night.”
“Sure.”
“We need to create a showstopping cookie.” She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Since we’re running out of time before?—”
“He gets here.”
She nods. “Yeah.”
“You upset about this?” I shove my hands in my pockets.
Our gazes lock, like she’s not used to people asking her how she feels about things anymore.
“Very much so. You?”
“Oh, I’m fuckingpissed,” I admit.
Agreeing on anything is new for us.
She takes a breath. “Lucas, about last night…”
“We don’t need to discuss it.”
Her brows crease. “Do you really want to do this with me?”
“I’mnotquitting.” I know it’s not what she’s asking, but it’s the best answer I can give right now. Every damn day, she prepares a new menu that has sold out without any problems. “There is no other person I’d rather have as my partner,” I add, not wanting to be a complete asshole to her today. “We always said we’d participate in this contest.”
She chuckles. “I’d forgotten about that. Wait, do you think that’s why Mawmaw signed us up?”
