Page 37 of The Holiday Swap

“I’m so sorry,” Charlie finally said, wishing there was any other way than this. “We did just break up. You were right to ask me earlier if it’s too soon. I think it might be. I... didn’t mean to let things get carried away tonight.”

Jake pulled on his coat. Charlie watched helplessly as he zipped it up, knowing he was seconds away from walking out the door—and out of her life.

“It was my mistake,” Jake said, in a stiff voice Charlie didn’t recognize. It stung. “I misjudged the situation. But thanks again for dinner, Cass.”

Charlie didn’t know if she wanted to cry or scream at him not to go, but she resisted both urges. “You’re welcome,” she said, quietly.And thank you, Jake. For so many things. For waking me up. For really seeingme—even if you had no idea who you were really seeing.But she couldn’t say any of that, of course. There was nothing left to say.

A moment later Jake walked out the door and Charlie was alone. It was then she saw Jake’s camera sitting on the counter—he’d been in such a rush to leave he’d forgotten it behind—and the sadness swelled inside her again.

Back in Cass’s apartment Charlie picked up her phone. It had enough battery to turn on now, and she first opened her texts. There she found several unanswered messages from Cass, wondering how things were going at the bakery—and asking Charlie to send the promised e-mail with the PDF of recipes forSweet & Saltythat week. Quickly she clicked over to e-mail and there it was: the e-mail with the recipes, the ingredients lists, everything... sitting in her drafts folder.She’d forgotten to send it.Her heart rate sped up as the implications of her error settled in her mind. Without the recipe details and ingredients, Cass had been flying solo. Panic surged through her, and she wished she’d been able to watch tonight’s episode, to make sure Cass had fared okay and Charlie’s career wasn’t in jeopardy.

But she knew if anything had gone sideways, it was entirely her own fault. While she had confidence in Cass’s talents, diving head-first into the world of reality television—alongside a swindler like Austin Nash, and without a plan—was a recipe for disaster. Charlie had now potentially ruined not only Cass’s situation at home in Starlight Peak but also her own career plans.

Feeling shaky, she phoned Cass.

“I’msosorry,” Charlie said, her voice full of anguish even as she was relieved that she was finally, actually speaking to her sister. “I can’t believe I screwed up so badly. I forgot to send the recipes. I don’t know what’s wrong with me! Are you okay? Is everything okay?”

“Charlie, calm down,” Cass replied, sounding perfectly okay. “Everything is fine. I’ve been managing without the recipes. No need to panic.”

Charlie remained distraught. “I couldn’t find my phone, and then it was dead... and I’m just so angry with myself. You’re sure you’re doing okay? I tried to watch the show earlier but—”But I was preoccupied with the drama of my own life. And I let you down.

“Actually, I am!” Cass sounded it, too. “Yes, things were a bit dicey at first, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’ve actually likeddeveloping my own recipes. And Sasha has given me a lot of compliments, so that’s good, right?”

“Really? That’sgreat, Cass.” Charlie let out a relieved sigh. “What about Austin? Is he making your life miserable?”

“I’m handling Austin. Charlie, you don’t need to worry about me,” Cass said reassuringly. “But what aboutyou? How’s the bakery? And how’s your head? Areyouokay?”

“The bakery is good. Walter’s been a huge help, and these recipes are sort of like riding a bike, you know? A lot of it is coming back to me, being home.” Charlie paused but decided not to mention being slightly off pace with the daily quota of Starlight loaves.

“I actually have some really good news. My sense of taste and smell are back. Which means... you can come home, and I’ll go back to L.A. to finish the show.” It was hard to ignore how this proposal made Charlie feel—deeply nostalgic for a hometown she hadn’t left yet. Plus, what would be like to say goodbye to Jake? All of it made her feel like her insides were being twisted up. “But thank you, Cass. I really do owe you one.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. “Are you still there?” Charlie asked.

“Sorry, yes! First of all, I’m so glad about your sense of taste and smell. That’s the best news.” Cass paused again. “But—how about Brett? Do you think you got through to him yet?”

Oh right. Brett.“Honestly? Not quite. He still doesn’t seem to understand your split is permanent.” Charlie cringed, thinking of Brett walking in on her and Jake. “I’m sorry, Cass. I know I said I’d deal with it for you, but he’s being incredibly obtuse.”

Cass was silent for a moment. “I can’t believe I’m suggesting this, but I don’t feel ready to see Brett. And, as I said, I’m okay withSweet and Salty! I’d love to finish what I’ve started, if you trust me enough?”

Charlie was about to object, but she stopped herself. Shedidtrust Cass. Entirely. And as she stared out the window at her snowy and familiar hometown she felt a warmth bloom inside her at the idea of staying a bit longer. There were loose ends she needed to tie up here as well. “I mean, if you’re sure you’ve got everything under control I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad to just stay here. For now,” Charlie replied.

“Okay, so we agree. Let’s stick to the original plan. I’ll handleSweet and Saltyand Austin, you handle Brett and the bakery, and we’ll see each other on Christmas Eve, just like we agreed in the first place.”

11

Cass

Saturday: 7 Days Until Christmas...

Los Angeles

Cass was dressed in a deep red waterfall skirt and a silky cream-colored off-the-shoulder top. Wardrobe had also added gold-hued heels that shimmered with glitter, and Priya had chosen a chunky gold bracelet to finish the outfit—and to hide her lack of a wrist tattoo. On the outside Cass knew she looked flawless. And yet, she was still uncomfortable in her “costume.” She was becoming more accustomed to life on theSweet & Saltyset, but these outfits irritated her for their impracticality while also making her feel like the imposter she was.

It was Saturday, and this week they were only getting one day off so they could stay on schedule. At least bakery life had preparedher for working every day of the week. But even Priya was having trouble fully concealing the ravages of not enough sleep all week, along with a bit too much wine with dinner the night before.

“I’m sorry, but these dark, puffy circles are an emergency, level ten,” Priya said. “I’m going to have to break out the big guns.”

“Is that...hemorrhoid cream?Never mind. I don’t want to know.” Cass closed her eyes and relived the romantic kiss with Miguel, unconsciously clicking and unclicking the clasp on the bracelet around her wrist as she did.

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