Page 42 of Give Me a Reason

Anne sighed contentedly as she browsed the overstuffed souvenir shop and bakery, housed in what felt like a rustic alpine cabin. It was kitschy and chaotic, and she absolutely adored it. So did everyone else in town by the looks of it.

She’d lost the rest of her group in the crowd a few minutes ago, but she wasn’t in a rush to find them.

She wanted to take her time browsing through the myriad pie-themed paraphernalia, ranging from aprons printed with pie puns to pie-scented bath bombs.

It made the apple pie she was devouring, with its sweet and tart filling and flaky, flavorful crust, even more delicious.

Their day trip to Cambria was coming to a successful end.

She stood a little taller and allowed herself to feel proud.

It still took effort to take up space, but she didn’t want to dismiss her hard work and accomplishment.

Maybe she didn’t want to be just Anne anymore if it meant she had to put herself last every single time.

“I bet you can’t say olallieberry three times fast,” Frederick said close to her ear.

Anne covered her shiver with a huff of laughter. “Olallieberry, olallieberry, olallieberry.”

“Show-off.” He scoffed teasingly, taking a bite of his olallieberry pie.

“I’m an actor.” She dragged her eyes away when his tongue darted out to swipe a crumb off the corner of his mouth. “Clear enunciation is part of my craft.”

“Like I said”—he grinned—“show-off.”

God, she loved his smile. Before she could melt into a puddle, she shoved a too-big bite of apple pie into her mouth.

There were times to try new things—like olallieberry pie, a regional specialty—and there were times to have apple pie.

But for Anne, it was always time to have apple pie, because no other pie would ever compare.

“Are you sure you don’t want to try some?” Frederick raised a forkful of olallieberry pie and waved it tantalizingly in front of her face.

“Are you going to want to taste mine in exchange?” Anne narrowed her eyes at him.

“Seems only fair.” His lips twitched when her shoulders drooped. “But all’s fair in pie and… pie? So you don’t have to give me any.”

“Now you’re showing off.” She laughed a bit breathlessly, his light teasing making her heart skip a beat. “I’m going to look like a greedy pie hoarder if I don’t share mine, too. You’re so sneaky.”

“You got me.” He held his fork in front of her mouth. “Eat.”

She gave him one last glare and opened her mouth. His gaze turned strangely focused as her lips wrapped around his fork, but then she had to close her eyes because… Oh my God. She moaned as the airy, flaky crust melted against her tongue and the tart berries exploded in her mouth.

“Frederick.” Anne opened her eyes, feeling like her whole world had shifted. “I think I found my second-favorite pie.”

His fork seemed to tremble in his hand as he withdrew it from her. But she must have imagined it because he flashed her a grin that was 100 percent cocky. “Your second -favorite? You’re in denial. I saw your expression. Olallieberry is your new favorite.”

“Oh, shush.” She shoved a forkful of apple pie into his mouth. “I would never betray apple pie.”

“Damn,” he mumbled around a mouthful. “This is probably the best bite of pie I’ve ever had.”

“I have a feeling all their pies are good.” Everyone bustling around the bakery and souvenir shop with its charming farmhouse décor wore a happy smile. Who could be sad around good pie? “This place really is a gem, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” he said with an odd catch in his voice. When she turned back to him, his eyes were already on her as though they’d never left. “I’m beginning to think this whole trip was a brilliant idea.”

“Of course it was.” Coraline came to stand beside Anne. “It was my idea.”

“But Anne’s the one who planned it,” Bethany protested from a couple of steps away, distracted by the adorable food-themed refrigerator magnet display. This was why Anne loved her kind and generous baby cousin.

She felt a tinge of guilt at her flirty pie exchange with Frederick. But she had no reason to feel guilty about being Frederick’s friend, even if Bethany was interested in him as more than a friend.

“You’re right. Anne gets the credit for this one.

Thank you for keeping me honest, Beth.” Coraline patted her little sister’s head when she joined them, leaving the magnets behind.

Bethany swatted her hand away, shooting an embarrassed look at Frederick.

“Thank you so much for putting this amazing trip together, Anne. We’re all having such a good time. ”

Anne swallowed the self-effacing it was nothing on the tip of her tongue. “It was my pleasure.”

The rest of their group meandered over, and they formed a loose circle of chatty, pie-eating friends in a corner of the store. Once the last bit of pie was scraped off their plates and deposited into their greedy mouths, they made their way toward the exit.

“You guys go ahead,” Frederick called out. “I’ll catch up with you.”

Anne cocked her head and raised her eyebrows at him, but he just shrugged with a playful grin that thoroughly distracted her from her curiosity. She didn’t realize she was staring at him, rooted to the spot, until he gently nudged her forward with a hand on her back.

“I won’t be long.” He pitched his voice low so only she could hear. With a dazed nod, she finally joined the rest of their group.

The bakery’s parking lot was full, so they’d street parked a couple of blocks away.

No one seemed to mind as they strolled down the sidewalk, pausing frequently to peek into the eclectic shops that lined Main Street.

Anne brought up the tail end, glancing over her shoulder every few minutes for signs of Frederick.

“Ooh, I see the perfect glass bottles for our moonstones,” Bethany exclaimed. “Come on, Tessa.”

“I’ll get you one, too,” Tessa shouted to Anne as Bethany dragged her into the shop.

“We’ll wait for you by the cars, girls.” Coraline affectionately rolled her eyes, then linked her arm through her fiancé’s. “Let’s go, Joe. Before we lose more of our rat pack to souvenir shops.”

Anne listened with half an ear, extending her neck to peer down the street toward the bakery.

“He won’t get lost,” Katie said wryly. She patted Pete’s back and motioned for him to walk ahead of them.

“I…” Anne blushed. “Am I that obvious?”

“Are you kidding?” Katie drew back, side-eyeing her. “You’re an amazing actress. I wouldn’t be able to notice a thing if I didn’t know your history. Frederick, on the other hand, isn’t as good at pining in secret.”

“Frederick isn’t pining for me.” Anne blushed harder.

“Okay… if you say so. Anyway, what’s this I hear about you two being just friends ?” Katie curled her fingers into air quotes, quirking an eyebrow at Anne. “I mean, seriously?”

“Frederick told Pete about that?” Anne blurted, then bit her lip.

“Of course. They’re best friends. And those two have a healthy relationship where they talk about real stuff like their feelings.” Katie gave her a pointed look. “You should try it sometime.”

“I don’t have many people to… It’s just that I don’t like to burden anyone…” Anne sighed. “You’re right. I should try it sometime.”

“I know we didn’t have the best of starts.

All my fault.” Katie held up a hand when Anne opened her mouth to object.

“I’m a big girl, and I can own my mistakes.

I overstepped, and I wasn’t fair to you.

But the point is… I’m here for you now.

If you need me, that is. You do know I’m your friend, right? ”

“I…” Anne blindly reached for Katie’s hand, tears filling her eyes. “I do. I knew you were my friend the moment you entrusted me with Frederick’s address. And I’ve been trying to be worthy of your trust since then.”

“You don’t need to try. You already are .

” Her friend sniffed, squeezing Anne’s hand.

“I still don’t want Frederick’s heart broken, and I don’t want yours broken either.

I want zero broken hearts when it comes to the two of you.

Okay? But you guys are so not over each other.

Why aren’t you doing anything about it?”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure he’s over me.” Anne sounded more forlorn than she would’ve liked. “Why else would he ask me to be his friend?”

And she’d seen the way Bethany looked at Frederick.

Even if he didn’t feel the same way yet, who was to say it wouldn’t happen in the future?

Maybe he wanted their past tied neatly in a bow—a friendship bow—so he could pursue his budding feelings for Bethany.

Anne should get out of their way… She loved her cousin…

but a part of her balked at the thought of putting herself last again.

“Anne Lee.” Katie leveled her with a penetrating look. “I took you for a smart woman.”

“I am smart.” When her friend shook her head sadly, Anne glowered at her, jealousy over Bethany flaming her temper. “Well, I’m smart enough to know you’re pregnant.”

Katie squawked in alarm or outrage. Maybe a little bit of both.

“I’m so sorry,” Anne said, immediately contrite for taking her frustration out on her friend. “I won’t tell—”

“Shh.” A warm breath brushed the back of her neck, and a trill of awareness shot down her spine. “You can’t tell anyone yet. Katie doesn’t want to steal Coraline and Joe’s thunder.”

“Frederick.” Anne spun toward him. Oh God. Did he hear everything? “When… when did you get here?”

“Just now. To witness you drop that bombshell.” He grinned at her with something like admiration in his eyes.

When Katie pointedly cleared her throat, he tore his gaze away and gave the smirking woman a sideways hug.

Anne squinted in confusion when his zipped-up jacket made a crinkling noise.

“Don’t worry. You can trust Anne. She won’t spill your secret to anyone.

She’s too considerate to make a dick move like that. ”