Chapter Twelve
Juniper
It’s early morning, and I’m sitting at my small desk, the soft glow of my laptop screen the only light in the room.
The curtains are drawn tight, shutting out the outside world.
I’m supposed to be focused on managing Sweet Fairy’s social media pages —where I worked alongside Cora as a baking assistant and social media person at her café in Silverton—but my mind keeps drifting back to Zade.
His gaze yesterday—so intense, so dark—was unsettling, like the men in those brooding romance novels I so love.
I shake my head, trying to concentrate on editing a caption for a photo of a beautiful strawberry tart. “Indulge in the sweetest slice of happiness today! SweetFairyBakery.” I hit the post button.
I know I need to pay attention to my job situation.
Cora has been more than generous, paying me my full salary even though I’m doing less than half the work I used to.
But I know it can’t last forever. I need to find something new, something where I can actually use the baking skills I learned from Cora.
Determined to make a change, I open a new tab and start searching for openings in bakeries and pastry shops. I have to find something soo n.
Then, out of nowhere, I hear a car horn outside.
It’s way too early, and it’s Sunday. I peek out the window, and there’s Zade’s car.
My chest tightens. I feel it building—annoyance, sure, but there’s something else under it too.
I don’t want to call it what it probably is.
I throw on a robe over my T-shirt and shorts and storm outside.
I rap on the car window, and it slides down to reveal Zade, looking infuriatingly composed.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demand. My tone comes off sharper than I intended. “Wasn’t I clear enough last night? Are you—Oh my God, you’re stalking me!”
Zade leans back in his seat, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Stalking? Please. You wish. Think of me as a generous benefactor in your otherwise mundane life.”
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “What are you talking about?”
With a flourish, he reaches into the passenger seat and pulls out a large bag from Barnes & Noble. “Booktok section. All signed copies,” he says, handing it to me like it’s no big deal.
For a split second, I’m overwhelmed with joy. Signed copies of my favorite books? It’s like a dream come true. But then I shove the bag away, hating how his gifts tug at something deep inside me—something I’m not ready to face.
“Why are you doing this?” My voice trembles as emotions I’ve been holding back bubble to the surface. “Is this some kind of game for you? Please, just leave me alone. Leave this town alone.”
His eyebrow lifts slightly, like I’ve just switched languages mid-sentence. “Speaking of the town, I’m not going forward with the resort plan.”
I blink, stunned. My heart starts pounding in my chest. “What? I don’t believe you.”
“I’m serious,” he insists, looking almost sincere. “The townspeople aren’t on board, and you’re all pissy about it. I’m dropping it. Seriously.”
“You're lying,” I say, a tremor of disbelief in my words.
“It’s true,” he continues, leaning casually against the car door. “I hate pushing through something when there’s opposition. It just creates more problems down the road. I’d rather invest in ways that actually benefit the community and get everyone on board.”
I search his face for any sign that he’s messing with me, but for once, he looks almost... genuine. That ever-present smirk is gone, replaced by a seriousness that makes my heart flutter in a way I don’t want to acknowledge. Could he actually be telling the truth?
“Good,” I say, more to myself than to him. “Now stop playing games with me and go back to your city life.”
His smirk returns, and he cocks his head to the side. “Games? Sweetheart, this isn’t checkers. You’re playing chess now, and the stakes are high.”
I scoff, feeling my face heat up. “I know what this is. You think you can buy me off with books? What do you want from me, Zade?”
He rolls his eyes, leaning casually against the car door. “Oh, don’t flatter yourself. If I wanted a distraction, I’d buy a goldfish. They’re less maintenance.”
I blink, taken aback by his bluntness. "So, why are you here?”
Zade sighs dramatically, as if he’s explaining something incredibly obvious to someone who just doesn’t get it. “I’m here because I can’t stand unfinished business. You, Juniper, are like a half-finished puzzle with pieces scattered all over the place. Just go on a date with me.”
My heart skips a beat, anger swirling with something else—something I really don’t want to feel. “I’m not some problem for you to solve.”
“Really? Because you’re doing a fantastic job of acting like one.
” His eyes lock onto mine, and for a brief moment, I see something raw, something unguarded, in them.
But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual sardonic gaze.
“Why can’t you just accept the books and accept my date offer? ”
“Because I know you have an ulterior motive,” I snap. “I’m not someone a guy like you would pursue. I’m not glamorous or good-looking. I’m just... me.”
Zade steps out of the car and moves close enough that I feel his warmth. “You’re right,” he mutters softly. “Glamorous isn’t you. You’re interesting. Not even close to the same thing.”
I shake my head, tears prickling at my eyes. Honestly, I thought he’d at least deny it or argue with me, but the fact he didn’t, hurts a bit. “That’s harsh.”
He sighs, running a hand through his perfectly tousled hair. “Look, you’ve got this whole ‘woe is me’ thing going on, and it’s not doing you any favors. You’re more than what you think you are, but if you’re determined to play the victim, who am I to stop you?”
I stare at him, speechless. His words cut deep, but there’s a strange honesty in them that I can’t ignore. “Why are you doing this, Zade? Why me?”
He chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “Because you’re the first person in a long time who hasn’t bored me to tears. Congratulations!”
I swallow hard, trying to process what he just said. “I don’t want you around me!”
“Tough luck. You’re stuck with me.” He reaches into his car and pulls out another book, holding it out to me. “Now, are you going to take this, or do I have to read it to you?”
I hesitate, then reluctantly take the book from his hand. “Fine. But this doesn’t mean I’m okay with any of this.”
“Of course not,” he says, that infuriating smirk back in place. “That would be too easy.” He turns to leave, then glances back at me, his eyes glinting with something I can’t quite place. “And Juniper? Try not to overthink this . It’s not good for your complexion.”
I watch him drive away, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. I don’t know what to make of Zade Patterson, but one thing is clear: he’s not going to leave my life anytime soon. And that thought terrifies me more than anything.