Page 13 of Gingerbread Hearts

Bethany’s line about love is on a loop in mind.

I can’t be falling in love.

It’s just passion. Just sex. Right?

The walk home helps me sort through my thoughts. By the time I’ve reached my doorstep, I decide that I want to pursue something more than a fling. It’s an odd feeling in my gut, but I want more time with Jake. I want him here in Kastle Harbor. I just have to figure out how to explain it to a bachelor who only has his sights set on climbing the career ladder. Maybe a bit of space first, cool our libidos before I can explain that I want more than just sex with him.

***

Jake

Violet isn’t at the bakery when I get there to pick up the pastries. Bethany lets me pick up my grandmother’s order. Before handing it over she asks me about my date with Violet.

“It was lovely.” Seeing if she knows more than she’s letting on. “I was actually hoping to run into her today.”

“You just missed her, she stopped in, something about running out of icing at home,” she hands the box to me. “That’s not something you’d know about, would you?” She winks at me.

I grin as I run a hand through my hair. “I’ll just shoot her a text. I was hoping to go out again soon.”

“Don’t give up Jake.” Her tone shifting from playful banter to serious. “She’s worth it.”

With that Bethany had to leave to help some ladies down the counter, and I decide to text Violet before I even leave the bakery. I ask her if she got my note and how she’d feel about going out tonight for an early dinner.

Violet: I have to get up pretty early. Rain check.

Jake: Are you sure? We could grab pizza at four? Get the old people special.

Violet: Give me a few days to recoup from our late night. I’ll text you.

I’m deflated. Not quite the outcome I want, but I guess I have to accept it. I head home to get some work done. I’m sure my assistant Sally has a list of things I need to read or sign off on. I don’t want to wait until the holiday party to go out with Violet again.

The next day I decide to check in on a date. She said wait a few days, but I want to see her now. I’m sure she’s at work, up to her elbows in pastry dough and various cookie ingredients. I work my way through some paperwork before I finally hear that little chime I’ve been waiting for from my phone.

Violet: You don’t really get a rain check, do you?

Jake: To be fair, there’s no rain here. Just snow.

Jake: Pizza tonight?

Violet: Can you really eat at four?

Jake: With you, yes.

Violet: Okay, meet me at the bakery and we’ll walk to the place on the corner.

Jake: Deal.

I’m alone in the house but I still refrain myself from doing a fist bump in the air. Only a few hours before I can take Violet out again. I pass the time by going through my email and the list from Sally. We have a decent number of cases that still need work over the holidays. I’m about to get ready for my date with Violet when I get a call from Sally about needing to log in to a meeting.

Shit. I have to cancel on Violet.

My heart drops. I hate that I pushed her to agree to a date only to cancel it all in the same day. But I need to attend this meeting. As Sally sends me all the details and proper meeting link, I text Violet that I have to cancel for a work thing. I hope my goofy bit about understanding a rain check makes her laugh and that she’ll reschedule with me for another day soon.

***

Violet

I’m finally free from the kitchen. I made a decent number of custom cakes and cookies today. I even dabbled in some fancier items like chocolate orange macaroons, chouquettes with raspberries, and classic profiteroles with a caramel drizzle on top. My stomach makes a loud grumbling sound as I realize I skipped lunch. I wash my hands and swap my chef jacket out for a wool sweater. Much cozier.

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