Page 23 of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

She just didn’t think she liked it.

Too hot.

Too crowded.

Too noisy, and chaotic, and buggy, and...

She couldn’t really remember her other reasons because Noah had stepped up to the ring toss and flashed her a cocky grin like he had big plans to win her a stuffed animal. And since Hazel was a fully mature, grown woman she was not at all excited about that prospect.

She was holding his cotton candy and shoved another piece into her mouth. Sugar moved fast through her bloodstream, which was obviously why her stomach was doing weird things as she watched Noah toss three yellow rings one at a time toward the wood pegs. He missed every time.

He handed the teenager working the booth more tickets. ‘That was just a warm-up.’

‘Hmm. Yes, important to warm up.’

Noah grinned at her and then turned his focus back on the pegs. He missed again. Three times in a row. He groaned.

‘Jane did warn me this was a tough game.’

Hazel laughed.

‘She said try to do my best.’

‘Good life advice.’

‘Smart kindergartener.’ He winked at her and then tossed another ring. It spun around the peg and then clattered to the ground. Noah hung his head. ‘Damn.’

‘Come on, champ. Maybe you’ll have better luck at the next one.’ Hazel put a hand on his arm to guide him away from the game and found her fingers lingering there on the muscles of his bicep. His arm was so ... solid.

He let himself be led and caught Hazel’s hand in his before she could pull it back. His hand was solid too, big and strong and probably capable of doing so many more interesting things than ring toss.

She cleared her throat. ‘You know if we hold hands the whole town will have us married off by Monday.’

His laugh was low and just for her when he leaned down to whisper in her ear. ‘Fine by me.’

She peered up at him, a frown on her face as they meandered through the crowd. ‘Oh, please.’

‘Oh, please, what?’

Hazel let out a little disbelieving huff. ‘Everyone knows you don’t date women for longer than a summer. Two months max. At that rate, you’d be dumping me on my birthday.’

His copper brows rose. ‘Oh, really? This is common knowledge?’

‘Yep. You like tourists, temporary guests, out-of-towners. There was even a rumor that you spent a very interesting weekend with an entire bachelorette party.’ Her cheeks burned at the thought. Why had she brought any of this up? Well, it was one thing to engage in this ... flirtation for the duration of their summer of fun, but to pretend it was anything more would just be ridiculous.

Not that she thought Noah actually wanted to marry her by Monday, but the town would talk. They would make assumptions. And she wanted Noah to be clear on what was going on here.

She’dlike to be clear on what was going on here.

She expected him to grin and make some kind of joke about the bachelorette party but he’d gone quiet instead.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. I only ... I just ... people will talk. And I know we’re just doing this as friends. A friendly summer of fun...’ Hazel trailed off when Noah’s gaze met hers and the look in his eye said he wanted to be something other than friends. Her breath stuttered. Oh, damn.

‘No, no. You’re right. I don’t do long-term relationships.’

‘Right.’

‘And it wasn’t theentirebachelorette party.’