Chapter 25 Madelina
The Cinnamon Springs Country Fair is a cherished annual tradition and one I’ve never missed, aside from last year. Myles and I were traveling to attend a gala dinner held by his parents and couldn’t make it back in time. I should have seen that as an omen.
“Billie,” I call out with excitement. “It’s almost here!”
Just like everyone else, Billie quickly makes her way to the window. “Oh, this is where I’ll probably chip a tooth because candy apples are my weakness.”
“Hey, mine too! And the funnel cake…” I bring my fingers to my lips. “Delicioso!”
“Last year, they had this onion ring tower. It’s a stack of fried onion rings, covered in melted cheese, and sprinkled with crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. My God, it was better than sex.”
“Huh,” I say, then shift my gaze to Elliot, who is standing at the coffee machine. “I mean, sure, if you haven’t had great sex.”
Billie slaps my arm. “I’ve had good sex. Not great, but good. Nothing memorable if I’m being honest, but enough to get me to the finish line.”
“Sometimes, that’s all that matters,” I say with a grin.
I love everything about the country fair. From the fast, thrilling rides to the cute animals, the endless amounts of food, and, of course, the lame-ass games that I never win.
As a child, my father loathed taking Aston and me, but he acted like it was the best thing in the world, spending time with his kids, all to keep up appearances.
We return to our tasks as the café buzzes with patrons eagerly sharing tales of the fair. I weave through the tables, clearing away glasses and cups, the clinking of porcelain adding to the lively atmosphere.
As I make my way to the back, I notice Elliot trailing behind me, maintaining a careful distance.
But as he catches a glimpse of Billie engrossed in conversation with a customer, a mischievous spark ignites in his eyes.
With a swift motion, he closes the space between us, pressing me against the cool wall, his lips finding mine in a sudden, electrifying kiss that sets my heart racing.
As I gradually pull away, a radiant grin spreads across my face. “I think we’re breaking a code of some sort.”
“Yeah, which one?”
“Boss and employee.”
“I’m not your boss,” he reminds me.
“Oh, last night you were,” I tease.
“And this morning, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes, thanks for the kitchen-counter surprise. I think I pulled a muscle in my back.”
Elliot pouts, his gorgeous curls falling just above his deep blue eyes. “Oh, poor baby.”
“Yes, poor baby. You owe me a massage. With candles, essential oils, and funnel cake.”
“Funnel cake?”
“I’ve got this mad craving for it now, with all this country fair talk. Speaking of which—”
“I don’t like where this is going,” Elliot complains, taking a step back.
I point my finger at his chest. “You’re coming with me. I don’t care who sees.”
Elliot scratches the back of his neck in hesitation. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Billie enters the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “What’s not a good idea?”
“I invited Elliot to the country fair.”
“Sure,” she answers with a blank face. “And you don’t think it’s a good idea because you guys are sleeping together and you don’t want people to know?”
My jaw drops in astonishment and I watch Elliot’s eyes grow wide with disbelief, mirroring my shock.
“But… how… when…” I stutter, unable to get my words out. “I mean… it’s—”
Billie lets out a long laugh. “C’mon, you guys. It’s so obvious. One minute you’re besties, and the next you’re fighting. It’s classic friends-to-lovers.”
“I, um…” I stumble out a whole lot of nothing, and just when I think Elliot is going to hand me a lifeline, his playful smirk warns me I won’t like what he’s about to say.
“Well, girls, I have customers to serve,” Elliot announces casually. As he makes his way out of the kitchen, he pauses, leaning in with a mischievous grin, then brushes his lips against mine in a fleeting kiss. “Good luck,” he whispers.
My arms cross beneath my chest in frustration. I can’t believe Elliot is leaving me in the firing line of what will be thousands of questions from Billie.
“Now that Elliot has strategically abandoned the girl talk—you honestly thought I was clueless?” Billie questions with a laugh.
I shrug, a smile creeping onto my lips as I realize we don’t have to hide our relationship at work anymore. “Look, it’s still fresh,” I admit. “Like, just last-night fresh.”
“Wait a minute… I thought this had been going on since the wedding?” Billie exclaims, playfully slapping my arm. “All this time I was on edge, waiting for you to spill the damn beans.”
A sudden wave of panic washes over me, and I grasp Billie’s arm nervously. “You didn’t say anything to Eva, did you?”
Billie snorts, a smirk dancing on her lips. “Please, I’m not one to meddle in someone else’s romantic escapades. You and Elliot? You’re quite the perfect pair, if I may say so.”
“You think we’re the perfect pair?” I ask, my heart fluttering slightly at her words.
She meets my gaze with a knowing smile and nods enthusiastically.
“It comes naturally, you know. It’s like you guys don’t need to make an effort with each other, and that is hard to find.
Men can be hard work, trust me. It’s why I’ve stopped throwing myself out there to just anyone.
If my gut doesn’t vibe with them in the first five minutes, I’m out. ”
“Huh…”
Billie moves in closer, her eyes filled with curiosity. “But let’s get to the juicy part. How serious is this?”
The question hangs over my head. Aside from the sex, which is off-the-charts explosive, we haven’t had any in-depth talks.
“I’m not really sure,” I finally admit, a heavy sigh escaping my lips as I shove my hands into my pockets. “Things have escalated quickly, and then there’s Myles… you know, wanting to get married and stuff.”
Billie’s eyes widen, disbelief flickering across her features. “Myles wants to get back together? Seriously? When did this happen?”
I motion for her to keep her voice down. “Yesterday. But I really don’t want to get into it right now. Let’s just say it’s got my father’s fingerprints all over it.”
With my hands, I push Billie back to the front, where Elliot is in conversation with a few guys. From what I overhear, they went to high school together, so it’s an impromptu reunion. One of the men is carrying one of those baby slings, which appears to be holding a newborn.
As I begin to clear a table next to the window, my gaze drifts outside, where I spot a man diligently taping a vibrant sign to the glass of the vacant store next door.
Intrigued, I decide to step outside to find out what’s happening.
The storefront used to be a secondhand thrift shop owned by Frieda.
She used to sell quirky items such as vintage typewriters, old phone books, and memorabilia from all around the world.
Things you just can’t find anymore. From memory, she passed away when I was living in Brooklyn, and the store has been empty since.
“Is this place being leased?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“Yes, ma’am,” the man replies, a hint of nostalgia lacing his voice. “The family of Mrs. Krause has finally decided it’s time for something new to breathe life into this corner of our town.”
I step back inside the café, my mind racing with ideas.
There are endless possibilities for what will open next door.
Vacant storefronts are a rarity in Cinnamon Springs.
The last two were snapped up quickly. The first one opened as a boutique children’s clothing store, and the second became a yarn store.
We do have a lot of knitters in town. I only know this because Mrs. Cobbledick invited me to join the Cinnamon Springs knitting group on multiple occasions.
And yes, every time she does, I struggle to keep a straight face.
As the afternoon winds down, I quietly work to wrap everything up as the last of the customers trickle out. Billie and Elliot mentioned earlier that we need to increase our food preparation because we have been selling out earlier than usual.
“Okay, lovebirds. I’m heading out,” Billie calls from the back. “I’d love to say that I have a hot date tonight, but what I do have is a babysitting job across town, and this family pays very well. Also, the gardener is super hot, so double the bonus.”
“How very Desperate Housewives of you,” I tease, eyeing her dubiously. “Behave yourself.”
The corner of Billie’s mouth curves into a grin. “And the same to you. Behave.”
As soon as the door clicks shut behind her, Elliot pulls me to the back, lifting me onto the stainless-steel counter. The cool metal startles me, but it doesn’t take me long to adjust when he’s staring at me, ready to eat me alive.
“Here?” I murmur the question as he inches closer, kissing my lips with urgency.
“Not here. I want you in my bed tonight.” Elliot lifts my chin so our eyes meet. I suck in a breath, lost in the pools of blue, wondering how I’m ever going to be able to say no to him. “There are a few things I need to take care of first.”
I wrap my arms around him, curiosity getting the better of me. “Like what?”
He lowers his gaze, the shadow of something unspoken creeping across his features. “Just stuff.”
The shift in his demeanor instantly sends my guard up. I release my embrace, sensing a secrecy behind his words that I don’t like.
“Okay, why are you acting weird?”
“I’m not acting weird. All I said was that I have stuff to take care of,” he states in a cold and uninviting tone.
I hop off the counter. “You know, if this is going to work, Elliot, we need to be honest with each other.”
Elliot runs his fingers through his hair, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. “Jesus Christ, Madelina. Why do you have to make such a big deal out of this?”
I press my lips together, attempting to ignore the nagging voice inside of me. “You know what? Never mind.”