Toasted

CHAPTER SEVEN

Libby was back at theTipsy Cow, only tonight, she was meeting Rachel. Who was currently twenty minutes late.

Please don’t let me get stood up on my first friend date.

That would be the icing on the cake. She already felt like a loser after admitting to Zach she’d never had anyone to go to the rodeo with. So the last thing she needed was to get rejected by a potential friend before she’d even had a chance to scare her off with her personality.

“I’m here!”

Libby glanced up to find the pocket-sized firecracker bellowing at her from the bar.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry. I know I’m late.” Rachel was walking and talking. “Mrs Tucker came in five minutes before closing and wanted to buy twenty dozen full-sized cakes for the church fair. Twenty dozen! How in the lord she thinks I have twenty dozen full-sized cakes just lying around, heaven knows, but I told her I need some time to actually bake them. Luckily, the church fair’s not until Thursday, which gives me three days to get my ass into gear and whip up a damn miracle.”

Rachel was still yet to reach their table, not caring in the slightest that she had the attention of the whole bar.

“I don’t suppose you know how to bake, do you?” she asked as she finally approached the table.

Rachel had the kind of confidence Libby had always dreamed of having. Just a simple, say it as it is kind of sass with a who cares who hears attitude. She liked that. The whole lack of filter thing reminded her of Cat. Not that Libby had any trouble speaking her mind. She didn’t. It was just that it normally came out a lot more awkward. And dorky.

“Hmm, let me think.” Libby used her pinkie finger to tap her chin for full dramatic effect. “Well ... my first day in Woodvalley, I tried to make toast and started a fire. Does that answer your question?”

A very loud and very animated laugh emanated from Rachel as she took a seat opposite Libby. It was nice to know she could still make someone laugh. Even if it was at her own expense.

“I guess it does, sugar. Oh well, looks like I’m not gonna be sleeping for a while.”

“You know, just because I can’t bake doesn’t mean I can’t help. I can mix stuff. Shout words of encouragement. Maybe wash a few dishes?”

What am I saying? Do I really want to swap a night in with The Bachelor for a night making cakes with a complete stranger?

Libby mentally cursed Cat. That talk had clearly gotten to her. Made her lose her mind. Forced her to swap the comfort of her own home for actual activities. With people.

“Really?” Rachel’s excited squeal was the final nail in the coffin.

“Sure.” Why the hell not? She’d already dived off the deep end by showing up tonight. What was one more leap? “I can come by after work and help out wherever you need me.”

“Oh my God, you’re a life saver, Libby. A frigging life saver! Drinks are on me. What are you having?”

Libby glanced down at her full wine glass and then back up at Rachel. “I’m pretty sure I owe you a drink. After the free cake, remember?”

“Don’t be silly, sugar. I just said that to get you to come out with me. Besides, you just agreed to help me bake twenty dozen cakes. Trust me when I tell you that me tryin’ to bake that many cakes in three days isn’t gonna be all sunshine and roses. It’s gonna be more like chaos with a healthy dose of cursing.”

“Why did you want me to come out with you?” It was the million-dollar question.

Rachel waved off the words and stood. “Drinks first, questions later.” And she was off, whipping her long, red hair and swaying all the way back to the bar.

When she returned, she was carrying a full bottle of wine. By the looks of it, it was going to be one hell of a night.

Two glasses later, Libby’s lips were getting looser. Damn red wine. “Yes, you’re right, he does have a sexy as fuck ass ... but how did you know I was hanging out with him?”

“Oh please. The whole damn town knows about you and Zach. Getting it on at the Farm n’ Fresh will have that effect, sugar.”

“What?” Judging by the head swivels, that must have come out louder than she’d anticipated.

“Y’all were making out in the Farm n’ Fresh a couple of weeks back. Betsy Jane saw you. And she told Billy Myers who then told ol’ Mrs Franklin, who told the ladies at her bingo night, and they told the—”

Libby”s hands shot up in a halting gesture. “Okay, okay, I get the gist. There’s just one problem. Zach and I weren’t and never have made out in the Farm n’ Fresh. So Betsy Jane is either one hell of a liar or she needs to get down to the eye doctor like yesterday.”

“Seriously?”

Libby nodded before taking another large glug from her glass.

“Huh. Well, Betsy Jane was always a bit of an asshole. Plus, she’s besties with Zach’s ex Katie, which more than likely has something to do with why she was spreading rumors.”

Betsy Jane was an asshole. And then there was the mention of Zach’s ex. Why had that made her stomach hurt?

Jealous much?

Of course he had exes. The whole town was probably full of beautiful girls whose hearts he’d broken. It didn’t matter. No. It didn’t. Because she wasn’t and never would be one of them.

“Katie, huh?” Libby reached for the bottle and refilled both their glasses. More wine was bound to help her stomach.

“Oh no. I know that look. You’re falling down the ex blackhole. Don’t do it. Zach’s with you now. The past is the past for a reason.”

“That’s just it, Zach and I aren’t together. We’re just friends. We haven’t been making out in Farm n’ Fresh or been getting it on at Molly’s diner. We’ve just been ... hanging out. And talking.”

“Talking?” Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief. “So, you’re seriously telling me nothing has happened between you two? Nothing at all?”

One little kiss, that’s all it was. There was no point even mentioning it, really.

Then why can’t you stop thinking about it?

“Oh my God, don’t even think about lying to me, girl!”

How did she know?! Is there something wrong with my face? Is this why I can never keep a secret?

“Okay, fine. Something happened. A kiss. Once. And only once. But it doesn’t matter because we both agreed to just be friends. So that’s what we are. Friends.”

“You both agreed?”

“Well, yeah. Sort of. I mean, I don’t really do relationships, so—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Rewind. You don’t do relationships? As in never? I need more information. You’ve never had relationships, or you don’t do them anymore?”

That was how Libby found herself breaking the news to another person that Disney was a goddamn liar. Rachel was now also one of a select few who knew all about her mother issues. How shit scared she was of commitment. And her severe lack of experience when it came to men.

Friends share, right?

***

Over the next few days, Libby spent all of her free time at Fairy Baked. It turns out making new friends wasn’t so bad. Rachel was great. And she was fast becoming one of her favorite people to hang out with. She was funny. Loud. Easy to talk to, and as if that wasn’t enough, she also had magical powers when it came to crafting the tastiest cakes.

Twenty dozen cakes made and life stories shared, Libby was looking forward to going to the church fair tomorrow to see the fruits of their labor in all their glory. And she was thinking of inviting Zach. Today was his last shift before he had four days off, so there was a chance he would be around.

“What was that look?” Rachel grinned as she dropped onto the chair opposite her.

They were still at Fairy Baked, perched on the steel stools around the kitchen counter after having just finished decorating the final batch of cakes.

“I was thinking of texting Zach to see if he wanted to come tomorrow,” she replied honestly.

Zach had certainly been a topic of conversation over the past couple of days. And Rachel had not so subtly told her to get over herself and give things a chance. Libby believed their discussions were the only reason he was never far from her thoughts. God, she hoped that was true. All this thinking about him had her missing him. It was a new, scary and extremely disturbing feeling.

“Do it!” Rachel beamed.

After taking one more bite of cake for courage, Libby pulled her phone from her jean pocket. “I don’t know why you’re so excited. He’s just a friend, remember? I’m inviting him as a friend.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Rachel waved her off, “You keep telling yourself that, sugar.”

Ignoring her friend’s giggles, she stuffed more cake into her mouth, and typed out a message to Zach. Deleted it, then typed something else.

Libby: Hey, how was work?

To her surprise, a message appeared before she’d even had a chance to put her phone back in her pocket.

Zach: Hi, princess. Work was good. Tiring, but good. What you been up to?

Feeling her face stretch into an embarrassingly wide smile, she avoided eye contact with Rachel, who had undoubtedly noticed.

Libby: I made a new friend and I’ve been helping her bake cakes. Wanna come to the church fair with me tomorrow and test a few of them?

Zach: Hell yeah! If your cakes taste as sweet as you do, I’m in for a treat.

Libby: Omg I can’t believe you just said that! Cheesy much?

Zach: I can’t help it if the truth is cheesy. You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. I think I’m addicted.

“Are you really blushing over there? What did he say?”

This was not the kind of conversation you have with a friend. Their teasing over the weekend was clearly still fresh in Zach’s mind. She hadn’t forgotten either. She’d been the one to start it, of course, but who knew he would turn it around on her so quickly. And smoothly.

“Oh God.” Libby’s head fell into her hands. Feeling the heat from her cheeks, she let out a groan of frustration. “What’s wrong with me? If anyone else was this corny, I’d have the ick by now. But Zach being corny? I like it. I really like it. Why do I like it? I’m not well, right? I’ve lost my mind.”

She felt Rachel’s fingers pulling her hands down until her head was fully released from their grip. “You’ve not lost your mind, sugar. Welcome to the world of dating. Get ready to start checking your phone obsessively, digitally stalking his exes and let’s not forget the classic changing your outfit ten times before going out.”

Finally lifting her head, Libby looked up at her friend. Probably looking as hopeless as she felt. “I don’t want to do all those things. I’ve purposely avoided dating and relationships so I don’t have to do all those things. I just don’t get it. Why is he different? Why can’t he be like normal men and just want sex? That, I can do. That’s so much easier. You get what you want without catching feelings. That is way more my style.”

Her phone chimed again. She was nervous to check it. But curiosity won out.

Zach: Did I scare you off already? I didn’t even get a chance to tell you how much I’ve been thinking about you.

Lord, have mercy.

Before she had a chance to reply, her phone started ringing. Zach was calling her. Shit. Was he insane? She could barely handle this conversation via text, let alone out loud.

“I swear to God, if you don’t answer that, I will,” her new friend threatened.

Rolling her eyes at Rachel, she answered the phone. “Hey, what’s up?”

Well done. That was totally casual. Sort of.

“I decided I wanted to hear your voice.” His own voice was raw. Gravelly even. And laced with fire. She’d heard him sound like this once before. In her kitchen. As he stood between her thighs.

“You know, they have special numbers for that kind of thing.”

His deep, rumbly laugh caused her to smile, betraying her sass. “Your number is all I need.”

“And on that note ... I’m gonna go. But I’ll see you tomorrow?” She was not going to entertain this conversation. Not with Rachel’s astute eyes on her, anyway.

“Sure thing. What time should I pick you up?”

“I can drive,” she reminded him.

“I know. So, what time shall I pick you up?”

There was no point arguing, so after a huff for dramatic effect, she gave in. “Around lunchtime, I guess. Say, about one?”

“I can’t wait. You can tell me all about your week. I really have been thinking about you. I’ve missed you. More than I should probably admit.”

“I missed you too,” she whispered, surprised she’d actually admitted that out loud. To herself. And to him.

“You don’t know how happy that makes me to hear you say that. To know that you’re feeling what I’m feeling.”

The panic was real. And it was already making her sweat. She needed to get off the phone. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Zach.”

“See you tomorrow, princess. Sweet dreams.”

As Libby hung up the call, she raised her hand to halt Rachel before she could even start. It seemed like her friend was on the brink of exploding. “Nope. I don’t wanna talk about it. Not tonight.”

She’d admitted far too much today. She didn’t have the mental capacity to admit anything else.

Rachel nodded in understanding. “Want some more cake?”

Was that a real question?

***

Rachel had been annoyinglyright. Libby had already changed nine times and she still wasn’t sure she liked her outfit. The light blue flowered dress seemed like a good idea at the time but now she was wondering if it was too short. Especially for a church fair.

Just as she was considering going upstairs and changing again, her doorbell rang. It was too late.

As she swung the door open, she was immediately greeted with a, “Hi, princess.”

The dress was the last thing on her mind now. She had other things to worry about. Like Zach looking mighty fine in her doorway in knee-length camo shorts, a fitted white t-shirt, holding a bouquet of flowers.

Wait, why did he have flowers?

“These are for you.” He passed the bright pink roses over to her.

Fragrant floral notes hit her nostrils as she brought the bouquet to her chest. “Wow, these are ... beautiful.”

“They reminded me of you.”

There was that cheese again.

And you love it.

Damnit, she did.

“Um, thank you.” She was getting major date vibes. And it was making her even more nervous. “I’ll, uh, go put these in water. Come in.”

That bought her a few minutes to compose herself. Maybe think of something to say without stuttering.

Did you see his abs? Damnit. Focus, Libby.

To be fair, you could see through his t-shirt. It was practically obscene.

When she ventured back into the living room, he’d made himself comfortable on the couch. But she didn’t join him. Instead, she came to a halt next to him, still trying to decide which the better option was: drag him out of her house, or sit down next to him. Both of those options seemed appealing for very different reasons.

Her choice was taken away from her when Zach reached up and pulled her down onto the beige cushions.

“You looked like you were trying to solve an equation. What’s going on? Was it the flowers? Too much?” Should she be concerned that he could read her like a book?

Zach twisted until he was facing her. Libby did the same, allowing them to talk face to face. Giving her the chance to see the genuine look of concern currently wrinkling his handsome brow. And that did something to her.

Who was she kidding? He did something to her.

“The flowers are beautiful. I’m just feeling really confused.”

“Talk to me.” He covered her hand with his. Even that innocent touch sent her pulse racing. This was getting silly. She couldn’t go on like this. It was time for the truth.

“We’re supposed to be friends, Zach. Just friends. But already the lines have been blurred and they just ... they just keep getting blurrier. I mean, how many friends do you know that turn up at each other’s houses with roses? Or say the things you’ve said to me ... or the things I’ve said back? It’s not normal.”

“Well, this isn’t a normal situation.” His gaze bore into her so intently she couldn”t help but squirm. “I’ve made no secret of the fact that I like you, Libby. As more than a friend. I think you feel it too. But for some reason you’re scared of what you’re feeling. I’m trying to respect that, I really am, but you have to understand ... I can’t just switch off my feelings.”

When he put it like that, she didn’t know what to think anymore.

“So we can’t just be friends? Is that what you’re saying?” Just the thought of losing him was making her stomach twist.

Her gaze dropped to her hand as she listened to him blow out a heavy breath. Zach’s hand was still on her, but instead of removing it, he laced their fingers together causing her to feel a flutter in her chest.

That can’t be good.

“I’m not saying that.” As he began to speak, she lifted her head again until their gazes locked. “But we can’t keep pretending we don’t want each other either.”

“So what do you propose?”

“A compromise.”

Her heartrate kicked up so fast her ears began to pound. “A compromise?” she asked, through the pounding.

“You want casual ... and I want a relationship. So how about we meet in the middle?”

I thought there wasn’t a middle.“And the middle is?”

“Sex and friendship.” She didn’t miss the heat in his eyes.

That sounded a lot like a relationship to her. She felt her face contort. Probably giving away her secrets again.

Before she had a chance to question him, he beat her to it. “Hear me out. You want casual, and I need a little more. The only way for both of us to get what we want is if we keep our friendship while we ... do other things.”

“And what does that mean exactly? For example, say we’re ... intimate, does that mean you want to hang out after?”

She noticed his jaw tick and his nostrils flare. “I’m not leaving after we have sex, Libby,” he warned. “I’m putting that out there right now. But it’s not like I’m gonna want to play a boardgame with you after either. If we ‘get intimate’, yeah, I’ll probably stay. Hang out. Maybe do it again.” A hint of his mischievous grin emerged.

“You know that’s basically dating, right? I’m not dumb, Zach. Us playing house isn’t gonna make me change my mind about having a relationship.”

His face was hard to read. He didn’t look offended, or even surprised by her words. It was like he was already expecting that response and for some reason, that only annoyed her more.

In another move she wasn’t expecting, Zach rose and pulled Libby up with him until they stood in front of one another. Close.

“We don’t have to decide today. Just think about it. That’s all I ask.”

He was being so damn reasonable that she had no other choice than to agree. Plus, he was standing too close and smelt too good for her to form a better response other than “Okay.”

“Thank you. Now, let’s go eat some cake. And you can tell me all about this new friend you made.”