Page 3 of Every Little Thing

Sure she did. I’d learned from their next-door neighbor—and Aria’s little sister—Paisley, that they had a thing for morning sex. Poor Paisley looked like she wanted to die about the fact that she knew. Of course, it was really on her for staying up so late every night that she had to hear the morning sex from the next house over to begin with.

I went around to the other side of the counter, ringing up Emberlynn’s sourdough loaf—she came in for a loaf of bread almost every day, always a different one, and she’d base what she’d have for dinner on what bread she got. “Just the sourdough?” I said, bagging it up for her, and she leaned back, looking out the window.

“Maybe a cake? I could use your advice.”

“I’d recommend—”

“Donotjust recommend the most expensive one.”

I fought back a smile, leaning over the counter, folding my arms on the wood surface. “All right, all right. So—what’s the occasion?”

“Having a little get-together tonight at the park. Kind of a picnic thing to celebrate spring.”

“Paisley’s idea?”

“It’s like you know the woman.”

“A little too well.”

She made a face. I hadn’t evenmeantit like that, but… well, maybe it just slipped out. I had to assume she was just wrinkling her nose at the idea of anybodyknowingPaisley that way, and not that she had any idea what kind of… ways Paisley and I did know each other.

“We’re having sandwiches,” she said. “Just, you know, cold cuts, cheese, lettuce and tomato, that kind of thing. Seitan ones too for Priscilla, so her girlfriend doesn’t murder me. What do you think for a dessert?”

“Cupcakes? Might be nice to have finger food for a picnic. I have some lemon ones with whipped cream and strawberry filling I think will be a hit.”

She settled into a smile, but there was something strained about it. “You’re a genius. I’ll take them. And obviously, you’re invited. I’d assumed Paisley had already passed along the invite.”

“I haven’t actually seen her since yesterday morning when she was arguing at Hogshead.”

She rolled her eyes, a dry smile on her lips. “I’ll bet a million dollars she thinks she’s invited you and just forgot to actuallydothe inviting part. Probably went to do it and got distracted by cheese. Yeah, if you’re free tonight…”

“Yeah, I’m…” I chewed my lip, busying myself moving to the cake display case, traying up the cupcakes in the box. Emberlynn raised her eyebrows.

“It’s no pressure, if you’re busy. Just a casual thing.”

I really was supposed to tell her. Tellsomebody.What was I going to do, up and disappear one day, and everybody would be left scratching their heads wondering where I’d gone? Emberlynn would be banging at the door to the empty place looking for her bread. And Anders needed to find a new place for mini-cupcakes, or Nancy would be devastated.

But I couldn’t. Hardly a surprise. For someone with a reputation for being blunt and saying exactly what I was thinking, I really sucked at saying what I was thinking.

“Nah, I was just thinking about my schedule,” I said. “Tonight’s all clear. I’ll be there. I’ll bring some shandies.”

“Ugh, I’ll have to tie up Paisley to keep her from shotgunning them all.”

I set down the box of cupcakes, pausing, looking at the expression she had—something tense there, just under the surface. I bit. “What’s bugging you?”

She hung her head. “Am I that obvious?”

“Nah. I just know people’s tells. It’s how I find their pain points and sell them cakes. So, spill.”

She chewed her cheek, casting her gaze to the window as thin, streaky clouds drifted overhead. “It’s kind of…”

“I won’t judge.”

“Okay, but maybe you should. I guess it boils down to that I’m a huge dumbass.”

I put my hands up. “I’m friends with Paisley. I’m used to huge dumbasses.”

She laughed, a glint in her eyes. “Okay, fair point. Um… it’s about my music. You remember that label I was with before? The one that cut me off at the last second?”

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