Oh, Fudge (Hot Cakes #5) - Erin Nicholas Page 0,46

actually.” She looked back at her sister. “But it’s not something he can keep, like this.”

“It will be a memory.” Paige frowned. Why did she keep talking? But when they all looked at her, she tipped her head. “It will. You show up with all his favorite snacks and a Warriors of Easton sweatshirt and hat on to show him that you’re really committed to doing it right and truly settle in for the whole weekend, no interruptions. He’ll think that’s super hot.”

Then she winced. Oops, maybe she shouldn’t tell teenagers how to be hot.

But Whitney, Josie, and Jane were nodding.

“It’s true,” Josie said. “Our parents were all about making the little things sweet and romantic.” She shot Paige a smile. “Memories really matter. They do stay with you.”

Oh crap, Paige thought as Josie looked at her with what could have easily been described as pride. She was right. And her sappy, romance-crazy parents had rubbed off on her after all.

Dammit.

“I need to go.” She looked around. “Up front.”

At least up front she wouldn’t be opening her mouth in front of Josie and acting like she actually thought about romantic weekends and knew how to make things special and meaningful.

Paige took a deep breath and pushed through the swinging door to the front of the bakery. She immediately found Mitch in spite of the crowd of people.

I’d play stupid video games with him all weekend. For sure. Or go out on fishing boats on the swamp.

Dammit.

It seemed that he sensed her as well. He was sitting closest to the window at their table, not facing the kitchen door, but he looked over as soon as she stepped out. Their eyes met, and his mouth curled in a grin that sent heat skittering through her body. It was a knowing smile. A smile that said he knew her. Knew her body. Knew her thoughts. Knew that she would be here.

That idea made trepidation slip down her spine.

Turn around and go right back out of here. That was her first thought. Her first instinct.

But then he gave her a wink and leaned over, draping his arm across the back of the chair where Tori sat.

For some reason, that made Paige relax. So Josh and Tori were playing along? That was nice. And awkward. She felt bad. Her crazy family, and her own crazy commitment issues were causing Tori and Josh and Mitch to have to lie.

She sighed and made her way from behind the counter over to their table.

“Good morning.”

“Paige!” Tori bounced up from her chair and hugged Paige. “Hi!”

Paige squeezed her back with a huge smile. Tori Kramer, soon-to-be-Landry, was impossible not to like. She was sweet and kind and genuine and slightly awkward in a very adorable I-just-want-to-take-care-of-her way.

Over Tori’s shoulder, Paige noticed Josh watching them. He was smiling with an affectionate look that, if anyone had been looking, would have clearly said he was madly in love with Tori.

Paige let Tori go and grinned at her. “It’s so good to see you. But I didn’t know you were going to come over for the festival.”

“Oh, it’s the perfect reason to come see you,” Tori said, taking her seat again. “When Mitch said that he was—”

“When he said how much he missed her but that he needed to stay to make sure all the electrical worked once things kicked off, Tori wanted to head right over,” Josh interrupted, sitting forward.

Tori pressed her lips together and nodded, glancing at Mitch. “Right,” she said. Then giggled. “I couldn’t stay away from him another day though.”

“Aw, love you, Tori,” Mitch said. Then he pulled her in and kissed her.

It was just a quick peck on the lips, and his grin was full of mischief, but Josh’s grin fell away and his body tensed.

Tori blushed.

Paige thought about knocking the rest of Mitch’s coffee into his lap.

10

Of course, all of those reactions were what Mitch was going for.

“Dammit, Mitch,” Josh muttered, too low for anyone else to hear.

But Mitch was focused on Paige. And she realized that he was trying to see how she’d react.

With jealousy. That’s how she was reacting.

With stupid, makes-no-sense-because-she-knew-it-was-a-lie jealousy. Even more, she couldn’t feel jealous over a guy that she didn’t want anything long-term with. That was her call. That was her rule. That was her decision. She couldn’t be jealous over other women or how he spent his time or if he didn’t text or call her every day.

Even more, she never felt jealous. That was the truth. She