Page 75 of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

She knew that she was sexy. That was new. And she liked it.

Her thoughts wandered back to that interlude in the supply closet, and that day on the beach, and that kiss in the blueberry patch. But this time, instead of thinking about Noah, she thought about how braveshe’dbeen, how passionate she’d been, how she’d taken the lead.

The realization she’d had the night of the town meeting rang even more true in the days after it. She didn’t need a new life or to be a new person. She just needed to look at herself, at her life, in a new light.

In the romantic glow of some dusty old Christmas trees, or the late afternoon light of an empty beach, or the blinking lights of the Ferris wheel, Hazel was fun. And interesting. And maybe Noah had been by her side when she’d realized it and maybe he’d brought it out in her, convinced her that she was desirable, but Hazel could hold onto all of that even if she and Noah ended right now.

With her birthday only two weeks away, Hazel felt like she was finally ready to embrace thirty. It was just a number after all.

But even as she felt and believed it, she couldn’t keep her gaze away from the romance section and the books lined up neatly on the shelves. Just in case. Because even though she knew she could be interesting and sexy without Noah, she also knew how much fun things were with him by her side. And she couldn’t help but want a little bit more time with him.

Or a lot more time.

She tore off another piece of cinnamon bun and stuffed it in her mouth before Kaori made her way to the counter, letting the sugar spike through her bloodstream.

‘Good morning, Hazel,’ she chirped.

‘Good morning. Did you find everything you needed?’

‘I sure did!’ Kaori lowered the stack of books in her arms onto the counter. ‘Couldn’t help myself. Too many good ones this week!’

‘Well, I’ve been taking your suggestions into account.’

‘I can tell. And the Dream Harbor Book Club thanks you.’ Kaori tucked one side of her sleek bob behind her ear with a smile. ‘Oh, but I don’t want this one.’ She pulled the top book off the stack. ‘It’s damaged.’

Hazel’s heart stuttered in her chest as she glanced down at the book. A page at the center of the book had been turned down in the corner. When she looked up, Kaori winked at her.

‘Did you ... do that?’

The woman put a hand to her heart like she was highly offended. ‘I would never!’

Hazel huffed. ‘Well, then who did?’ She stuffed the book under the counter beside her breakfast. She would deal with it later.

Kaori shrugged, glancing around the crowded store. Alex and Lyndsay were packing up the trays and paper bags, a sign proclaiming the buns as ‘sold out’ now hung on the front of the table. ‘Could have been anyone. I think most of the town was in here today.’

Hazel frowned. Most of the town except a certain red-headed fisherman.

‘Who do you think is doing it?’ Kaori asked, leaning forward conspiratorially.

Hazel focused on scanning the stack of books and piling them into Kaori’s bag. ‘I don’t know. But it needs to stop. They are ruining my stock.’

‘Mmm-hmm.’ Kaori agreed, lips pursed. ‘It’s kind of a fun little mystery, though.’

‘It’s criminal.’

A small laugh escaped Kaori’s lips before she regained her serious expression. ‘So true.’

Hazel narrowed her eyes at the book club president. This woman knew more than she was letting on, which meant everyone knew more than they were letting on, which meant Hazel was once again on the outside of an inside joke. She hated that feeling.

‘Don’t worry, Hazel,’ Kaori cut into her thoughts. ‘I’m sure it’s all in good fun.’

‘I’m sure.’

‘See you on Wednesday!’ Kaori slung her bag of books over her shoulder.

‘Bye. Thanks for shopping!’ Hazel barely remembered to be professional in her goodbye, too caught up in the new clue beneath her counter and who left it and why, and if this meant she could text Noah again...

She’d promised to let him know if she found another clue.