“I’d like that, Amber.”
The way he said my name made me swallow hard around the desire that filled me. I wanted him to leave immediately and stay forever. The fact that I had to war with those two emotions told me I needed to get him gone now.
“What do I owe you?” he asked, motioning at the box.
I thrust it toward him and waved away his money. “Consider it your welcome to Lake Pendle. Thanks for stopping by The Fluffy Cupcake.”
He accepted the box and smiled. I hated how much I liked the way it made his green eyes light up like a Christmas tree. “Thank you. A tart from a tart,” he said, holding up the box and winking. I swear I whimpered when his lashes brushed his cheek—men with lashes that long should be outlawed.
What is wrong with you, woman? Get a grip.
“Are you busy later?” he asked as he backed up toward the door.
“No, why?” I asked before I stopped long enough to think about it. Crap.
“I was hoping you could tell me the rest of the cupcake story,” he said, lifting the box in the air.
What do I do now? I just told him I didn’t have any plans, so I can’t pretend that changed in the last two seconds.
“Oh, I don’t want to bore you with all of that,” I squeaked, brushing my hand at him.
“You couldn’t possibly bore me. You have to eat, and I have to eat, so we could eat together while you tell me the story. I would love to make some friends in Lake Pendle that don’t work at the school. It’s boring talking about the same stuff with the same people all the time.”
“Okay, sure,” I said before I could stop myself. “I know what it’s like to see the same people all the time. I work here with my best friend, and I get tired of talking about cupcakes and bread all the time.”
“I knew you’d understand,” he said on a grin. “How about seven? I can pick you up if you’d like.”
I waved my hand at my neck. “I’ll probably still be here.”
I wouldn’t be, but I didn’t want him to know where I lived just yet.
“I’ll pick you up here then? I thought we could check out The Modern Goat. I hear they have great food.”
“They do,” I finally agreed. “I’ll see you here at seven.”
“I’m looking forward to it, Amber. See you then.” He waved, opened the door, and headed down the street with a spring in his step.
I lowered myself to a chair and put my head in my hands. What did I just do?
I SET THE PHONE ON the dresser and waited for it to be answered. When my best friend’s face filled the screen, I leaned in to see her better.
“I need help,” I said before she could say hello. “Major help.”
“Hello, Amber,” Haylee said with laughter in her voice. “I already know you need major help. Was this just a reminder call?”
I tossed my head back and laughed hysterically with heavy sarcasm. “You’re hilarious. I have a new problem.”
“I’ll try to help,” she said, turning serious. “What’s the problem.”
“I don’t know what to wear tonight.”
“Uh,” she said, her head tipped to the right. “Pajamas?”
“I have to be ready for dinner at seven!” I exclaimed, letting my arms fall to my sides.
“That’s a new development,” Hay-Hay said, checking her watch. “I just left the bakery a few hours ago.”
I rubbed my forehead and sighed. I was standing in my sports bra in front of my best friend while freaking out. “I agreed to dinner with this guy. I don’t know if it’s a date or just a friend thing, so I don’t know what to wear.”
“Whoa, back up the bakery wagon,” she said, leaning into the phone. “You agreed to go somewhere with a guy? You? Amber Larson? Miss I Am Never Trusting A Man Again?”
“Ha-ha,” I said, rolling my eyes. “He’s new in town, and he’s looking for friends. He stopped into the bakery earlier and bought a Berry Sinful. I mentioned that I’d have to tell him the story behind them someday since he was new to town. That’s when he asked me to dinner.”
“Wait,” she said, drawing out the T. “Are you talking about the new teacher you met when delivering cupcakes?”
I rubbed my temple and bit my lip. “Bishop Halla. That’s him. I don’t think it’s a date-date, though. I think it’s like a friend date.”
My best friend whistled and shook her head, a giant smile on her face. “I would bet my bakery that it’s a date-date.”
“Hey!” I exclaimed with fierceness. “That’s half of my bakery, too! Don’t go betting it on anything.”
“Geez, relax,” she said, the smile still on her face. “I’m not going to bet the bakery. I am going to bet that if you wear that long sundress you have, Bishop won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
I waved my finger around at her on the screen. “I don’t know if that’s what I want. I don’t even know why I agreed to this date!”
“Because as much as you don’t want to admit it, you’re lonely, Amber.”
“I am not!” I exclaimed.
“You are, and we can all see it. There’s nothing wrong with it, sis. You told me last year when I was dating all those hideous frogs that you were happy where you were. That’s changed over the last six months, or at least something has changed.”
I shrugged and lowered myself to the bed. “We need to talk about some stuff, but right now, I need to figure out what to wear to this date.”
Haylee tipped her head even more to the right. “Did I do something wrong? Are you upset with me? I’ll come over there right now if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”
I waved my hand at my throat. “No, you haven’t done
