Page 101 of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

‘Thanks, Mom.’

‘I’m going to pay for the books!’

‘I know, Dad.’

‘It was all in the dream I had, except I think there was treasure in it somewhere and definitely something about pirates.’ Pete shook his head. ‘Anyway, it gave me this great idea for a scavenger hunt.’

‘We know, Pete.’ The woman, Hazel’s mom, patted his arm affectionately. ‘And look, it worked out perfectly.’

Noah would like to argue that it hadn’t worked out exactly perfectly, but that definitely wouldn’t help anything. Even though, judging by Hazel’s face, she felt the same way.

‘Thanks, Frank.’ Hazel gave the other man a hug, the two dogs now circling Noah’s legs. Despite their dapper attire they didn’t have any manners and were aggressively sniffing Noah’s shoes, making little excited snorts and huffs when they sniffed something particularly interesting. Between the dog inspection and the balloons he was trapped.

The rest of the guests were gathering around now, hugging the birthday girl and leaving presents on the bar. Mac had emerged from the back and was helping Amber fill drink orders. And Hazel was getting further and further away from him.

Amber lifted the balloons from his fist. He glanced at her and found her with a knowing smirk as she tied the balloons to the bar.

‘You got it bad for her, huh?’

He slouched onto the nearest stool. The dogs had found someone else to sniff. ‘Yeah.’

‘You screwed it up?’

He ran a hand through his hair. ‘Maybe? I’m not really sure yet.’

‘Hmm.’

‘What?’

‘Noah.’ She sounded exasperated.

‘What?’

Amber sighed. ‘It’s her birthday. Just tell her the truth.’

‘Right.’ He watched Hazel greet her guests, smiling and thanking them, but that hint of sadness hadn’t left her face. He could see it in the tightness of her smile, the furrow of her brow. Maybe he hadn’t screwed it up yet. Maybe he just hadn’t really tried.

Maybe it was time that he did.

‘The truth,’ he repeated. But Amber was gone, serving the party guests. The truth was he was in love with Hazel Kelly and it was damn time he told her that.

* * *

‘I thought I’d find you out here.’

Hazel looked up from the bench outside of Mac’s to find Logan standing over her. She’d been studying her feet, wishing she’d brought her purse out with her. She had an emergency book in there.

Music and laughter spilled out of the bar after Logan, lingering in the quiet night even after the door had closed. It was delightfully cool outside; a pleasant reprieve after the heat of the party.

Hazel sat in a pool of yellow light from the streetlamp until Logan’s shadow loomed over her.Caught.

‘Hiding from your own party?’ he asked, sitting down next to her.

‘No.’

‘Haze...’ He bumped his arm into hers and she leaned into his familiar warmth.

She sighed. ‘I just needed a little break.’