Chapter 14
Alex
The next morning, I decided to sleep in, so I call for room service. What I want to do more than anything is go over to the Elmwood Falls Diner. I’m doing everything I can to reason with myself and not go. It’s not easy. The more I see Emma, the more she fills my mind in her absence. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, the way I feel about her.
I’m still kicking myself. I had the perfect opportunity to ask her out on a date. I almost did, but instead, I left. What if I never get another chance?
With a groan, I bury my face in my pillow, just as someone knocks on the door. I groan again before throwing the sheets off me and standing.
I answer the door to see that my breakfast has arrived.
“The Pancake Special,” a young girl says, holding out a tray to me.
I take it. “Thanks.”
“I hope you enjoy it,” she says.
I smile at her. “I’m sure I will.”
She stands there for a moment, looking at me as if my nose started to grow. When she huffs and walks away, her kitten heels clumping along the wooden floors, I chuckle underneath my breath. I’ve been in Elmwood Falls for almost two months. I’ve managed to make good acquaintances despite the series of articles I wrote, yet there are still some who remain unforgiving. I find it amusing, and it brings my thoughts back to Emma as I shut the door and put my breakfast on the little round table by the window.
Has she forgiven me about the article I wrote about Heritage Bakery? She has always struck me as the sort to be sweet to everyone, whether she likes them or not. The first few weeks after the article was published, I’d see the fire in her eyes, but slowly, I noticed it dwindling away. Was it my imagination? Was Emma beginning to feel something more than malice toward me?
I’m hoping so. But if she is, where does that leave us?
The current situation hasn’t changed.
She was still fired from Elmwood Falls Heritage Bakery because of my review.
I’m still going to be judging her, amongst others, at the bake-off that’s coming in just over a month.
I slap butter on my pancake stack, cut it into small pieces, then drizzle the pure maple syrup I requested. Slowly, I begin to eat as I look out the window. Unfortunately, I can’t see the Elmwood Falls Diner from the inn. It’s several blocks away, but it might as well be in the next state.
I can’t help but remember the anger Emma had for me after she came storming out of the bakery, waving the magazine around. I must say, thinking about it now, that was probably the first time I started feeling something for her.
No.
That’s a lie.
Watching as she stumbled and fell on her bottom the night we met was the first time.
I laugh to myself. It was a sight. She looked adorable, beautiful, and so embarrassed.
I never believed in love at first sight. Not until now. I’d been with Georgia for a long, long time. She and I fit because we grew up together, were friends before we started dating, and we liked visiting the same exotic places. Sure, Georgia was fun, but I never could imagine spending the rest of my life with her.
But then there’s Emma.
A young, talented pastry chef from a small town with a passion for food that matches mine, and a fire in her eyes that never went away completely. She’s sweet, thoughtful, and makes me laugh, even though I probably shouldn’t.
I take another bite of the pancake, savoring the taste. It’s quite good. I’m rather pleased.
I hear my phone vibrating against the bedside table, so I wipe my mouth with my napkin and go to answer it.
“This is Alex.”
“Hey, buddy! I just talked to Georgia. You broke up for good?”
It’s Georgia’s older brother, and one of my good friends from my years at boarding school.
“Hey Lucas,” I say. “Yeah, Georgia came by yesterday. I’m glad she did. We were able to clear the air.”
“I have to say, Alex, I’m a bit disappointed. I was hoping to introduce the infamous Alex Carter as my future brother-in-law this Christmas.”
I chuckle, picking up a shirt from the back of a chair, beginning to button it up as I talk. “Lucas, you always had high hopes, didn’t you? But no, that ship has sailed. We’re both moving forward. I think everything’s working out the way it’s supposed to.”
“Well, I have to admit, I’m not surprised. You and Georgia never had that spark. But what do I know about sparks? I like having one woman on each arm.”
I grab a pair of trousers and step into them. “She’ll get what she deserves,” I say. “Georgia’s an amazing woman.”
“Do you have your sights set on anyone else?” I know Lucas well enough to know he’s likely raising his eyebrow right now. He and Georgia are extremely close, and she probably told him I’m interested in someone in town. While I didn’t want to admit how Emma’s been making me feel, I can’t keep it in, either. Lucas is the closest thing to a brother I’ve ever had. During our time in boarding school, we’d gone through a lot together.
“There’s this pastry chef,” I say. “Emma.”
As I’m fixing my collar in the mirror, I hear Lucas’ laughter. “Go figure. You had to find someone who knew how to cook. That sister of mine has a talent for burning down the house trying to boil water.”
I smile into the mirror. He’s not wrong about that. Georgia grew up with maids and cooks, and inherited her mother’s “I’m not lifting a finger to cook” trait. It was a good thing I could make a mean lasagna along with most anything else.
“I suppose you heard about the bake-off I’m judging?” I ask.
“I did,” Lucas says. “I’m surprised you’re doing it. You’re not the sort to be on camera.”
“No, I’m not.” I mentally groan. I suppose I can quit my job and back out, but I’ve devoted my life to my career. “Emma’s competing. And I’ll need to be fair. I have a feeling it can get quite messy.”
“Understandable,” Lucas says. “Does she feel the same about you?”
I nod, even though I know he can’t see me. “I think so. We haven’t discussed it.”
“Well, if she’s worth it, no matter what happens, I’m sure she’ll get over it. You’re only doing your job, buddy. She shouldn’t fault you for that.”
I know he’s right, but the more I talk about it, the more I’m feeling anxious about the entire thing.
“Call me later to tell me how it went, and if you get the girl.” Lucas laughs. “I’ve got to get going.”
“Okay. Good talking to you.”
“Later, Alex.” The phone call ends, and I toss the cell on the dresser. I stare into the mirror for several long minutes. My heart feels heavy, and my hands are beginning to sweat. I feel as though I have the entire world sitting on my shoulders.
Lucas is right. Emma will eventually get over it, no matter what happens at the competition. But will I? If she loses, I will feel like I put yet another nail in the coffin of her dreams. All I want is for Emma to be happy doing what she loves. And I also want her to be happy being by my side. Those two things will be enough to make me feel like I own the world.
I take my comb and run it through my hair.
The decision is made.
I’m going to go straight to the Elmwood Falls Diner and tell Emma exactly how I feel about her. Then I’m going to give her the choice. I’m going to put the fate of my job in her hands. If she wants me to back out of the competition, then I’ll turn in my resignation to the magazine. The only thing that matters to me now is Emma.
Feeling much lighter, I grab my phone and room key card, then step out into the hallway and shut the door. As excited as I am about seeing her face again, I want to pick up my pace—but anxiety is flooding inside of me because I don’t know for sure how she feels. So I’m keeping my pace slow.
When I reach the lobby, I see Madison on the phone. Her hand’s on her hips, and when she notices me, her eyes are narrowed. I’m pretty sure she’s shooting imaginary darts at me. I brush it off, wave goodbye, then walk out of the inn.
As usual, the streets are mostly empty during my walk to the diner. I reach the place and see that it’s filled with people eating breakfast. Emma’s back is to me, and she’s on the phone.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
I’m sensing sadness in her words. Emma slowly hangs up the phone and turns around. When she sees me, her eyes widen, then I see them glisten with tears.
“Hey,” I say. “How’s your neck? Any better?”
“Fine,” she says cooly. “Do you need anything? Or are you just wanting to play with my feelings some more?”
I narrow my eyes, feeling confused. “I’m sorry?”
Emma pauses, then suddenly, fury replaces the sadness as she draws in a sharp breath. Her eyes are now in slits.
“It’s not enough that you waltz into town, dissing Elmwood Falls Heritage Bakery with your snobbish tastes, but you also have to try to draw me in. Get close to me and just…step on me! After last night, I actually thought there was something between us. I didn’t know what that something was, but I thought it was there.”
“Emma, I don’t know—”
“You’re a player, Alex Carter,” Emma snaps, jabbing her index finger toward me. “You were trying to play me by getting close to me. You’re playing that girlfriend of yours. You’re—”
“Wait,” I say, holding up my hand. “I don’t have a girlfriend, Emma.”
“She came to see you yesterday at the inn,” someone says from her seat. “I heard from Lacey.”
“Yeah, and I heard it from Christine,” another woman says.
“Thomas told me all about how you couldn’t keep your hands off her.” I turn to stare wide-eyed at an older man. He was standing, arms crossed tight against his chest. He’s a big guy, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s considering whether or not to squash me.
“You all have it all wrong,” I tell them.
“This is what we get for welcoming a so-called sophisticated, snobbish food critic,” Maggie says from behind me.
I turn to see her put a protective arm around Emma.
“What’d I ever do to you?” Emma asks. “Look…I don’t care about you and that girl, Montana or Kansas, or whatever her name is. But why are you so intent on setting me up to fail at the competition? You know what that means to me.”
“Emma,” I say as calmly as I can. “I don’t know how you came up with all of this, but Georgia and I are not in a relationship, and I’m not looking for you to fail at the competition. You’ve got to believe me.”
“I don’t have to do anything,” Emma says quietly. “Just leave me alone, Alex.” She turns to leave for the kitchen, but then stops and says, “I’m going to tell the Great American Broadcasting Network about you. You might not care about fairness and honesty, but maybe they will.”
With that, she storms into the kitchen, leaving me standing in the middle of a group of Elmwood Falls residents glaring at me.
“I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave,” Maggie says. “I reserve the right to not serve anyone, including you. Feel free to quote me on that one.”
“You’ve got it all wrong,” I manage. But I know my protests are futile. I’ll let Emma calm down for a few hours, then I’ll go to her apartment and try to reason with her.
This isn’t even close to what I’d imagined would happen when I saw her.
I force out a heavy breath, slowly turn to leave. The bell jingles above me. Before walking away, I turn to look and see everyone’s still glaring at me through the window.
Suddenly, I’m finding that I should be thankful that I’m not being stoned right about now. But maybe that would be better. Because I’m feeling frustrated now. I desperately want to tell Emma how I feel about her, but will I be able to talk to her again? Will she ever be willing to talk to me?
I don’t know the answer.
And that’s the worst feeling imaginable.