Page 43 of I Can't Help It

She chuckles at her own joke, and Cassie—I’m pretty sure that’s what her name tag says—laughs as well.

“You beat me to it!” Cassie responds with a bright smile. “Usually, I ask customers if they’re here for the pie, and it never gets old.” She props her hands on her hips. “Did you guys want something to go? Or…?”

“I think we’ll hang out here,” Ava says, already studying the pie flavors. “Which ones do you recommend?”

“Well, we obviously have the basic fall options: pumpkin, apple, pecan, and sweet potato. But my all-time favorite is probably our banana cream pie.”

Ava turns her attention to me, her eyes dancing playfully. “Do you have a favorite?”

“Uh, peanut butter fudge?” I offer a shrug. “It’s my go-to flavor when it comes to pie.”

“No way.” Ava gives me a dubious look. “Is it really?”

I nod to confirm that it is, and then she says, “Peanut butter fudge pie is my favorite kind of pie. Everyone always thinks I’m crazy for not picking a more popular flavor.”

I tell myself it doesn’t mean anything to me.

It doesn’t matter that we both love the same kind of pie.

Pie is not a defining factor when it comes to relationships.

And yet, it feels like another reason why Ava Ashton is my right kind of woman.

ASK ME

Ava

After an hour or so of sharing conversation and a six-flavor sampler of delicious pie, I know this one date won’t be enough. We haven’t even left the pie shop yet, and I’m greedy for more.

To clarify, I’m talking about more of Luke.

Not more pie.

The pie was fantastic, but I can’t eat another bite of anything right now. And no, I’m not exaggerating. We ended up with ZERO leftovers, that’s how much we ate.

Anyway, it still stings that Luke turned down the idea of kissing me, but I don’t want to stay upset with him. If tonight is my only chance to show him what he’s missing, I need to really give this date my everything.

So, while Luke is still in the bathroom, I scurry over in Cassie’s direction. I try not to seem anxious as I casually rest my hip against the counter. “Can I ask you something really quick?”

“Absolutely!” Her brown eyes watch me expectantly. “What’s up?”

I peek to the right, just to make sure Luke isn’t back yet. “Uh, what’s the most romantic spot around here?”

I could’ve looked it up on my phone, I suppose, but there’s something about Cassie that causes me to trust her insight. She works in an adorable pie shop, for crying out loud!

“I guess there could technically be a few different spots,” she muses with a shrug. “But I think the gazebo near Town Hall is one of the best spots. Most couples like to hang out there.”

Huh. Gazebos are definitely romantic. See? I knew asking her was the right choice!

“Thank you, that sounds perfect!” I brush some hair over my shoulder. “Is Town Hall nearby then?”

“Oh yeah, it’s at the end of this block.” She proceeds to smile. “You two make a cute couple, by the way, but I’m sure people tell you that all the time.”

And suddenly, Cassie is officially one of my new favorite people.

I should correct her since we’re not an actual couple—but I don’t want to—which is why I keep the correction to myself, and I smile back at her. “Thanks, Cassie.”

She gives me a wink just as Luke comes over to where I’m standing. “Hey, ready to go?”

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