Page 46 of Theirs for the Holidays

There’s so much there that I still don’t know about it, and it bothers me that it bothers all of them so much. I want to ask about it, but it seems like it would be rude to just start prying into something that’s clearly painful for all of them.

But still.

“I have an idea,” I tell him.

“Uh oh. Let’s hear it.”

“I feel like there’s a lot about you I don’t know these days. And I want to fix that. So why don’t we play a game of twenty questions.”

He raises an eyebrow and folds his arms. “I get to ask you things too?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Okay then. Deal.”

I grin, pleased with the success. “Okay, tell me about your travels.”

“That’s not a question,” he points out.

I stick my tongue out at him. “What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever been to?”

He takes a moment to think about it. “Interesting is a hard one to pin down. Like, there are all sorts of places overseas that are interesting because it’s a different culture and everything is so different from what I knew. But I think the place that had the most impact on me was the Grand Canyon. There was something about standing there, looking down into that big-ass hole in the ground that made me feel really small. It was uncomfortable, but kind of profound in a way too? I don’t know how to explain it well.”

“No,” I say. “I think I understand. I feel that way when I look at the stars on a really clear night. Small but also lost in the wonder of it.”

He nods, giving me a little smile. “Yeah, exactly. And now it’s my turn. Why a bakery?”

I snort, gesturing to myself. “Isn’t it obvious?” It’s the sort of thing my mom would say, that I started the bakery because I can’t help myself around food, especially sweets. Sawyer doesn’t look like he’s satisfied with that answer, though.

“Be serious, Vi.”

I take a breath and nod. “I’ve always liked baking,” I explain. “It’s always been soothing to me. I used to do it with mygrandmother sometimes, and those were my favorite memories. And then I realized that when you make someone something, something that takes time and effort and precision to make, you’re giving them a gift. You’re showing them that they’re worth the time and effort you put into it. I liked the idea of spreading that kind of good feeling to other people.”

Sawyer looks at me for a long moment, and I start to feel self-conscious, like I said something weird. But he smiles at me a beat later.

“That’s a really nice way to look at it. And I can tell from how your customers are that they’re happy to get the gifts you’re giving them. Even if they have to pay for them.” He reaches over and ruffles my hair, startling a laugh out of me. “I’m impressed, you know. I remember when you were just a kid, and now you’re a business owner.”

“A small business owner. A struggling business owner.”

“Still, struggling means you’re not giving up.”

I blush a little, embarrassed but pleased by his praise. “Well, thanks. I’m doing my best. My turn?”

“Go for it.”

I shuffle through the questions in my head. “What’s the worst place you’ve ever been?”

“Music festival in the middle of the desert,” he answers immediately. “Too many people, most of them high or drunk or both, and port-a-potties as far as the eye can see. And as far as the nose can smell too.”

I make a face at the description. “That sounds gross, honestly. What made you want to go there?”

“Is that a second question?”

“No, it’s a follow up. That’s allowed.”

“Let me see the rule book.” He holds out a hand.

“You’ll just have to trust me.”