Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
MOLLY
My excitement about Noah coming over is way too high.
I keep trying to play it down in my head that it’s no big deal.
It’s not working. I spent all last night making sure my place was tidy and all my holiday decorations were out.
I’m ready to show him that a pink Christmas is possible.
My house is the perfect example, but the movie will really drive it home.
After that, I had to make sure I finished the book before I passed out last night. The only reason I was able to stay up was the pure determination to prove I’m right. It's petty and not normally my style, but I'm taking a page out of my best friend Tilly's book.
Obviously, this is in no way a date. I mean, it might be the first time I've invited a man back to my place, but still, it’s not a date.
The dinner is part of our deal along with the movie.
I get that a lot of people would think dinner and a movie is hands down a date, but that's not what this is. At all.
"Molly." Lucy pops her head back into the kitchen. "You’ve got a call."
"All right, I'll take it in my office." I wipe my hands off on my apron and head to the small room I hardly use.
"This is Molly," I say when I answer.
"Hey, Molly! It's Kim."
My stomach sinks at the sound of her voice. Why would she be calling, and more importantly, why would she need to speak directly to me? Would she call for Noah to cancel tonight? Oh god, what if he up and left?
"Hey, Kim, how are you doing?" I try to play it cool, keeping my tone light.
"I'm doing great, but do you know who is doing better?" I shake my head no, forgetting she can't see me, but Kim keeps talking nonetheless. "My brother. He told me how much he loved your cake."
"Really?" I perk up at that news.
“Yeah, it must have really hit the spot. He was supposed to be headed back to the city, but he told me he’s going to hang around Cheerful. It shocked the hell out of me.”
“I’m shocked too,” I admit, but for a different reason than her.
Is he staying because of me? That would be adorably sweet, but it's also a reminder that Noah isn't from here. We can't have a future together. I would never move to the city, and I think living in Cheerful for Noah would be the same as living in hell.
"Since he's staying, I was considering placing another order for him. Marley told me you deliver?"
"I'm sorry, Kim, but I don't have room for any last-minute orders. This place is slammed, but Noah knows where the bakery is. He can pop in and grab one of our premade cakes or cupcakes."
"No worries, Molly. I get it. Of course you’re busy this time of year. Next time I’ll schedule sooner." We say our goodbyes before I end the call and get back to work.
The rest of the day goes by slowly and yet somehow fast. I have no clue why. I can’t stop thinking about Kim’s call and what it might mean.
I shut down the kitchen for the day so whatever is left in the displays or cooler will be all people can get. If we have to close early because we run out of stuff, then so be it. I'm taking Tilly up on her advice.
"Do you girls need anything before I head out?" I ask when I enter the front of the store. It’s died down a bit, and there are only a couple of people eating at the tables.
"I think we're all set," Mia tells me. "Have you got a hot date or something? You never cut out this early." She wiggles her brows, and although I know she's teasing, it hits closer than she's aware of.
"I’m spending the night at home. I plan on having some dinner and cuddling up with a Christmas movie."
"Oh, that sounds divine." Lucy lets out a happy sigh.
"Anything else I need to know before I take off?" I ask.
"Oh, yeah," Mia says, and I can tell from her excited yet mischievous smile that I'm about to get town gossip. "The not-so-Jolly Giant came in twice today, and I swear he's been loitering outside the bakery all afternoon."
Noah was here? For once I have to fight a smile.
"He didn't ask for me?" That has both of them turning their heads and giving me their full attention.
"I knew it!" Lucy does a small jump with a fist pump. "He wasn't jolly or anything, but he also wasn't not-so-jolly either."
"And we think we know why," Mia adds.
My cheeks start to warm. This town doesn’t miss anything.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Is my voice higher pitched than normal? I clear my throat and try again. “He doesn’t seem too bright. Maybe he was lost.”
"If you say so," Lucy says and lets out a small giggle.
I ignore it. If I give it more attention or overexplain, that will only make them more suspicious.
"All right, if you all—" I stop talking when the chime on the door goes off and Noah walks in.
Now both Mia and Lucy start giggling like schoolgirls.
"Hush," I whisper, knowing my cheeks are turning redder by the second.
Turning around, I pretend everything is normal as I give him my normal customer greeting. "Hi, Noah.”
"Hey, Molly." He tips his head slightly. "Sorry to show up here, but I actually don't know where you live."
Well, shit. Now the whole town will know. I bet Kim too. The phone tree is quick around Cheerful. Guess there’s no point in hiding it now.
"I was about to leave. Do you want to wait for me?"
"That would be great."
"Just give me a second." I undo my apron and shoot both the girls a warning look before I slip back to the kitchen and grab my things.
When I come back out, Noah has his hands in his pockets, appearing a tad uncomfortable.
"Come on," I say, nodding toward the door. He follows after me, and when we’re outside, I lower my voice. "People talk around here.”
"So I'm not paranoid. They are talking about me."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I tease. "But yeah, they're talking about you, and now they are likely talking about me too, so brace yourself."
“Brace myself? For what?” He stops walking, and I do the same. “Wait, my SUV is here. Are we walking, or am I driving us?”
“We can walk,” I tell him.
“Hi, Molly,” Cara says with a giant goofy grin on her face. Her eyes are bouncing from Noah to me. “And hi to our newest resident.”
“What?” Noah stares at Cara, clearly thinking she’s lost her mind. “I don’t live here.”
“You do now,” Cara tells him as she continues down the sidewalk.
“Yeah, let’s take your SUV because that’s going to keep happening.” I motion for us to get off the sidewalk.
"Oh, the new Cheerful resident,” Hannah says as she walks over to us and holds her hand out to Noah. “It's a pleasure to meet you."
"All right, we have to go now," I say as I push Hannah's hand down. She keeps on smiling, and in fact, it might grow bigger. "His name is Noah, and she's Hannah. There, you’ve been introduced." I usher Noah along. "Hurry, or they'll never stop."
"It's here,” Noah says as he walks faster to his SUV. He opens the passenger door for me, and I get in.
"Oh look, he's got manners,” one of the Christensen twins says.
“Even if his face is always grouchy," the other finishes.
"Don't engage with them," I tell Noah under my breath. They're sitting on the bench in their usual spot since they retired a few years back.
Noah heeds my warning and hops into the driver's seat, pulling away from the curb.
“What was all that?” he asks, looking in the rearview mirror.
“This town doesn’t only do overkill with Christmas.”
"What else do they overkill?" He glances my way when he comes to a stop at the crosswalk.
"Just stay on this road until the second stop sign and then take a right," I tell him. "You'll know what house is mine."
"Oh, you really are close then."
"Yep, but this town can make a three-minute walk take thirty minutes."
"So that’s the overkill?” he asks.
"Cheerful has a way with love."
"Are you saying they go bonkers for Valentine's too?"
I let out a teasing gasp. “We'd never betray Christmas that way. Nah, the town’s just a little funny with love.
The theory is that when a member of Cheerful finds their forever person, it hits them hard and fast here.
People must have seen you stalking outside my bakery today, so now they think we're a thing. "
"I'm guessing the one with the pink lights,” Noah says and nods toward my home. It's only been over the past few years that I've made it more mine.
"That's me,” I agree.
I expect him to deny the stalker comment, but he doesn’t. He simply parks and then hurries around to open my door for me.
I’m not sure what to make of this man, but I have to admit, that's part of the fun. Who would have thought I’d ever use a word like that to describe a Grinch like Noah?