Page 45 of A Chef's Kiss for Christmas

“Her confidence makes her loud and annoying,” Warren said, eyes on the road ahead.

“Hey!” Anna gave his arm a gentle punch. “Don’t be mean.”

“It’s true,” he said, amused. “Don’t pretend you don’t agree.”

“Sometimes she might be a bit much to deal with,” she agreed. “But I’m her sister. I can say these things. You shouldn’t.”

He grinned as he geared down at the junction.

“Did she really call you to come over and remove a spider from her flat?”

He nodded once. “Personally, I think being nervous about making a speech or standing up in front of people is perfectly normal. Freaking out over a daddy longlegs is pathetic.”

“It is a bit ridiculous.” She could imagine Carla making a big drama of it.

Her attention went to the familiar sand-coloured buildings that lined the main street through Chipping Campden. A few minutes later, Warren turned onto a side street and then onto her road.

“What time do you have to be at work?” she asked.

“I’ll go straight there.”

She felt a tinge of disappointment when he stopped the car in front of her building. “Thank you for coming with me.”

“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad. I kind of wish I’d started taking fake dates to these events ages ago. It was fun.”

“What will you tell your friends? Are you going to confess?”

She bit down on her lip. “I’m not sure. I’ll probably tell thegirls the truth. The other option is to say we broke up, but then I’ll be stuck with the pitying looks again.”

“They seem like a really nice bunch.”

“They are. I’ll figure something out.”

“So we’re done with our pretend dating?” he said, tilting his head.

“Yeah. I guess so.”

“That was the easiest relationship I’ve ever been in. No drama.” His lips twitched. “Apart from you accusing me of flirting with the waitress.”

She smiled weakly. “I suppose this will be an amicable breakup too.”

“I hope we’ll stay friends,” he said, mock serious.

When she waved him off, she couldn’t help but think that the end of a fake relationship shouldn’t really leave her feeling so disheartened.

Chapter Nineteen

On Monday, with her mind on her wreath-making workshop, Anna had little time to dwell on romantic issues. Once or twice her mind flitted to Hayden, but instead of missing him, as she usually did, she was just confused. Since she hadn’t heard from him, it seemed unlikely he’d really meant what he’d said about it being a mistake to break up with her.

She was loading her car with several boxes of wreath-making supplies when a jolt of nerves hit her. Why had she agreed to do a private event? Surely she should have learned her lesson after Lewis coaxed her into running a class at the hotel last year. She’d sworn then that the nerves weren’t worth it.

Closing the car, she dashed upstairs for a final bathroom trip, then checked herself in the hallway mirror. Her black woollen mid-calf dress was demure but practical. The green scarf gave a splash of colour, while her fur-lined ankle boots were comfortable and cosy.

She looked the part. From her professional appearance, you’d never know what a bag of nerves she was on the inside.

It was too late to back out now, she told herself, pulling on her coat and straightening her shoulders.