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This wasbad.
“Oh, we’re not together. I’m his boss. Mostly of making his life terrible, but also of the farm he works on.” Mollie was unbothered, so much so that it loosened the tightness in my chest.
“I’m so sorry!” The vendor’s eyes went wide. “I thought ... Ignore me. I don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“It’s fine.” Mollie waved her hand. “We just don’t want to give this guy an aneurysm when he’s finally out of the house.”
The vendor smiled and handed Mollie the two loaves of bread before turning to me. “I’ve only seen you today. Do you live here?”
“Uh, yeah. I just don’t get out much.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Maybe both of you will be back in the spring.”
“I certainly will.” Mollie shoved her haul into my arms. “And depending on how mad Cain’s made me, I’ll have him come to carry all the bags.”
“Do that, and I won’t share my sauce with you.”
She sighed and started to take the bag back, but I held it out of her grip.
“Pick a side, Cain.”
“I’m being nice while also being rude. It’s my thing.”
“Fine. I suppose of all the things to have,” she said with a smile, “it’s not the worst.”
My heart nearly stopped, but she was on to the next vendor.
“I saw that,” Jackie said.
“You saw nothing.”
She was at the sweets vendor when I caught up to her.
“How many cookies can you and Cain eat in a week or so?” she asked Eric.
“Jackie already got us cake.”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
“I have all kinds of flavors,” the vendor said. “Even some that are less sweet, if you prefer!”
“I need some for a sweet treat after dinner. What do you think of the red velvet one, Cain?”
“Red velvet is just chocolate in a costume.”
She gasped. “You take that back, you monster!”
I looked at the vendor. She nodded.
“Get the velvet,” I said. “As more of a punishment for me.”
“I was trying to get you something you’d actually eat. Do you have cookie opinions?”
“Get the cinnamon streusel,” Jackie said with a wink.
Mollie turned and did exactly that, plus a few red velvets. Eric ordered a chocolate chip one, and by the time we were on to the next place, I had another bag in my hand.
I should have never let her shove her bag into my arms. Her shopping put Jackie’s to shame.