Chapter 13

THIRTEEN

WILLOW

“W illow.” I heard Andy’s voice behind me.

I spun around. “Andy.” I turned my head to the side. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Don’t tell me you’re shopping for an ugly Christmas sweater, too?” He laughed and took a few steps closer.

“I am.” I giggled. “Who roped you into coming up here?”

“My mom.” He shrugged. “My family lives here. When I mentioned the party, she started going on and on about all the ugly sweaters she had seen when shopping.” He held up a bag he was holding. “Don’t tell her, but I grabbed the first one I saw.”

“You’re not a fan of shopping either?” I held up my bag.

“This may sound rude, but I thought women loved to shop.”

“Not all of them.” I winked.

“Noted. Are you here by yourself?”

I pointed to the store behind me. “Anika and Molly are still looking at a few things.

“Oh, okay.” He had this look like he wanted to ask me something. “I guess I’ll see you back in Crystal Shores.”

“Unless.” I paused and glanced over my shoulder. Anika and Molly picked me up and had a full day of fun planned. A part of me wanted to enjoy the rest of the day with them, but the other part wanted to spend some time with Andy.

“Unless you two go off and do something together.” Molly wrapped her arm around my bicep. “Hey, Andy.”

“Hey.” He smiled. “I was just heading home.”

“Are you sure about that?” Anika winked.

He held up his keys. “Well, yeah, but I’m not in a hurry.”

“Are you sure?” I whispered so only Molly could hear. “You had a full day planned.”

Molly leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Go. It will be good for the both of you.” She made sure to whisper, too. Then, a little louder, she said, “Our fun day isn’t ending.” She reached for Anika’s hand. “We’re going to go get a pasty.”

There was this awkward pause between us.

“No pressure–” Andy looked over at me– “but if you want, we could get some dinner.”

I turned to Molly. “I feel bad.”

“Don’t.” She pushed me toward Andy. “Go have fun.”

Anika stepped closer to Molly. “It’s okay.” She blew me a kiss.

“Well, you heard them.” I shrugged my shoulders and took a few steps closer to Andy.

“I did.” He smiled and reached out his hand. “Have you ever had dessert before dinner?”

“Um, no, but I’m very interested.” I took his outstretched hand. “Do you have something in mind?” I waved goodbye to Molly and Anika.

“Are you a chocolate fan?” He squeezed my hand.

“Not necessarily a fan, but I do like it.” I thought he would release my hand. Instead, he tugged me closer to his body, and we walked hand in hand. After learning more about Andy, my time with him felt special. “I love a good chocolate cake.”

“Then we’re heading to the right place.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “It’s crazy we ran into each other.”

“Did Molly or Anika share we would be up here?” I found it weird that we managed to go shopping on the same day.

“No, but Julian did give me the day off, which is unusual.” He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “Do you think it’s possible…”

“…they devised a plan for us to run into each other? Um, yes.” I laughed at the thought.

“Especially if Molly was involved.” Andy shook his head.

“Is that okay?” I decided it was better to ask before my feelings for him multiplied.

“Is what, okay?” He stopped and turned to face me. “You and I running into each other?”

“Yeah, if I’m holding you up from anything, I don’t want to get in the way.” I suddenly felt myself plunged back in time and talking to my mom. I had always felt like I was a bother to her.

“Hey.” He opened the door to a little cafe. “Let’s get some chocolate cake and talk.” I stared at the door briefly before sighing heavily and walked inside. “You couldn’t say no to the cake, eh?”

“Maybe.” I smiled. The place was tiny, but the display case was packed with pastries. On one end of the display were three shelves and several different cakes. “Wow.”

“Right.” He placed the palm of his hand on the small of my back. “It doesn’t matter what you get; everything is amazing here.”

“Back already.” A woman rested her hands on the top of the display case.

“Stella, stop sharing my secrets.” He winked at me. “I didn’t know we would run into each other.”

“So, you’re having two desserts before dinner.” I laughed and walked the length of the case. “Can I get two things?”

“Honey, you can have as much as you like.” The woman winked.

“I know he loves the chocolate cake. What is your favorite?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the cherry and strawberry fruit tarts.

“I like to keep things simple. The cherry strudel is my favorite item on the menu.” She pointed at the strudels.

“Okay, let’s do this.” I turned toward Andy. “I had a friend growing up who loved to try all the desserts. She would get a little of each option; it was the perfect way to taste all of them. Of course, that may be difficult here, but let’s get a box and add several sweets.” I pointed at the cherry and strawberry tart. “I want what you both suggested, and that looks amazing.”

Andy nodded. “You heard the woman. We need a box; let’s get a dozen sweets.”

“Can that include a piece of chocolate cake?” I made my way over to the cakes.

“For you, yes.” Stella grabbed a different box and added a slice of cake.

Once I picked out a baker’s dozen assortment of pastries, we found a table in the corner, away from everyone. I held up the forks. “Should we get plates?”

“Or, we can eat them straight out of the box.” Andy pulled out my chair—such a gentleman.

“Andy, this may be the beginning of a wonderful friendship.” I opened the box and bent closer to inhale the aroma. “You know what I’m thinking about right now?”

“Which one you should try first?” He opened the second box with the piece of cake.

“Well, yes, but how have I never had dessert before dinner?” I plunged my fork down into the cake. “Wait, is that black forest cake?”

“Yup. Everything is better with cherries.” I shoved the too-large piece into my mouth and covered it with my hand. All I could do was moan. “I know. Amazing, right?”

It was delicious, and I was beginning to see how wonderful the man who suggested the cake was, too.