The Happily Ever After Bundle by MJ Fredrick

Author:MJ Fredrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: multicultural, small town, collection, workplace romance, firefighter, friends to lovers
Publisher: MJ Fredrick

Chapter Ten

Ellie came home later than usual. Noah had lingered at the store after closing, waiting, and frowned at the bag from the discount store in Humboldt, which she carried in both hands.

“What’s that? Carnival stuff?”

She didn’t meet his eyes. “A mixer.”

“Why?” But he knew. She wasn’t looking at him because she didn’t want to see his disappointment in her. And he didn’t know if he could hide it.

“I could only convince three people to bake cakes for me, so I need to bake the other two.”

“Why? Ellie.” She’d let those women bully her. Exasperated by this need for approval, he dragged a hand through his hair. She’d bought a mixer, for crying out loud. How often was she planning to use the thing? “They can live without two cakes.”

“It won’t be too bad. What, maybe an hour?” She swiped her hair from her face with the back of her hand. “This is a little heavy, Noah.”

He looped his fingers through the plastic handles and took the mixer from her, shifted it on his hip to watch as she turned back to the car. “Why do you need their approval so badly?”

She closed the Jeep door, leaned against it.

“Because if I can make them forgive me for Trey, then maybe when this gets going between us,” she wiggled her fingers in the handles of the bags, “they will leave us alone.”

“El, you’ve lived here all your life. Do you really believe that?”

She lowered her head. Even the bags drooped. “We have so many strikes against us—you were married to Lily, I broke Trey’s heart. They’re not going to give us an easy time.”

“It doesn’t matter.” He stepped toward her, didn’t miss when she glanced to the road to see if anyone was coming. He retreated. “All that matters is how you and I feel, what chances we’re willing to take.”

“If that was true, I would have broken up with Trey before now.” She pushed away from the Jeep and headed toward the door, then stopped. “That’s pretty sad, isn’t it?”

He didn’t follow her. “Maybe. But I get it. And if you’re determined to do this, come bake them at my place.”

She turned. “What?”

“I have a great oven, and a better mixer than this. We can bake both at one time.”

She narrowed her eyes, struggling for a playful mood. “Have you ever baked cakes before?”

“I did grow up with three sisters, and Lily did this carnival stuff for four years. If I hadn’t helped, I wouldn’t have seen her.” He stepped closer. “I want to spend time with you.”

She sucked in a breath, then nodded. “Let me get the ingredients from upstairs and I’ll meet you there.”

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