MAX

The Apple Festival of Rosewood Pines was one of the biggest events of the year, rivaled only by the Christmas Tree Lighting and 4th of July celebrations. Vendors lined the park with rows of stands selling everything from apple pies to apple butter to apple cider and everything in between.

From my stand, I watched children darting through the crowds with candy apples, their faces smeared with sticky red syrup, while couples strolled arm in arm.

Despite the cheerful atmosphere, uneasiness clenched my stomach. Since Cole jerked me off yesterday, I hadn’t seen him again. He was avoiding me, going so far as to skip dinner Gladys had invited me to last night. How was I supposed to find him in this crowd? Would he even show up? He seemed so impatient to get out of this town.

“No apple pie?” A young man stopped at my table, his wide brown eyes focused more on me than the pretzels. His face was pierced in interesting places: lips, eyebrows, cheeks, and nostrils. “I was told if I wanted the best apple pie to find your stall.”

“Unfortunately, no apple pie this year. Thought I’d try something new, so I made apple cinnamon soft pretzels.”

“Yum.” He licked his lips, but his gaze shifted up and down my body instead of the pretzels. “I think I’ll try one.”

“Let me know how you like it.”

“I’m sure I’ll like it a lot.”

He paid for the pretzel and bit into it, then widened his eyes dramatically. “Marry me.”

I laughed, his exaggeration pulling me out of my funk. “But I don’t even know your name.”

“I’m Connor. My grandmother’s Louisa.”

Ah, that Connor.

“Well, nice to meet you, Connor.”

“It is? Then maybe I’ll ask you out for a drink later. If I did, would you say yes?”

A man appeared next to Connor. Cole looked from Connor to me, a scowl etched on his face

Interesting.

“Maybe now is not the right time for this conversation.” Connor laughed, then paid me for two more pretzels. “I’ll catch you later. Think about it.”

He walked away, hips swinging.

“Didn’t know you were selling other things besides pretzels,” Cole said.

“For the right person, I can.”

His scowl deepened. “It’ll never work.”

“What won’t?”

“You and that guy.”

He fell silent when two kids ran up to the stall wanting some pretzels. They were a little short on money, but I gave them anyway.

“Why’s that?” I asked when they left.

“You’re not compatible. You’re both bottoms.”

I raised my eyebrows, stifling back my laugh. “Oh, he is? Did you ask him?”

“It’s obvious.”

“You should know better than to stereotype. Didn’t you also assume I topped?”

He’d been so worried that the first time we were to do it, he’d find himself at the bottom.

“Yeah, well, I’m not wrong about him.”

“You want pretzels?” I asked. “I can make you a fresh batch later.”

“I’ve had one too many. Gladys asked me to get some for her before they sell out.”

“I saved a batch for her at home. I know she has a sweet tooth.”

“Oh, I’ll let her know.”

He turned, but before he could walk off, I grabbed his wrist. Today he was wearing his glasses, the first time I’d seen them since his return. They offered me a glimpse of the nerd I’d been in love with in high school. They suited him, made him look scholarly, and it was sexy as hell.

“You’re wearing your glasses.”

“My contacts were irritating me.” He glanced down at where I still held on to his hand.

“Stay. I mean, my band is playing in a few minutes.” I gestured toward the stage where Ryker and Evan were setting up our equipment. “Can you stay and finish selling these pretzels?”

“I’m sure someone else can do it.”

“But I’m asking you. I’ll repay you with an entire tray of your own.”

He sighed. “Fine.”

“Thanks.”

Cole came around the stall and used the hand sanitizer I had off the side of the table. I’d wrapped each pretzel individually to make selling them easier. We were almost out, but I’d gotten him to say yes, which was the important thing.

“So you own a garage,” he said. “Bake in your spare time, yet you find time to sing in a band?”

“I’ll always make time.”

“You’re a great singer. If you’d ever leave this town, you could make it big.”

A feeling of pride swelled inside my chest. “You think so?”

“Yeah. Your voice is incredible, and you have the look.”

“What look?”

“A rugged, ‘bad boy up to no good’ look that makes women want to change you.”

“And men?”

He snorted. “Know better than to expect any sort of change, but it’s okay because bad boys are more fun anyway.”

“Is that why you went after me in high school?”

“You were the one who went after me.”

“Not how I remember it. You kissed me that day in your living room when I was supposed to tutor you.”

“I just did that to annoy you that day.”

“And all the other times?”

“Oh my god! You made out in high school?”

Cole and I jerked around. Ashlee and her daughter stood in front of our stall. She wasn’t the only one. It seemed we’d gathered a crowd, waiting to buy pretzels.

Or they were eavesdropping. That would be more like it in this town.

“But you hated him!” Ashlee screeched.

“Mommy.” The little girl, who looked way too much like Evan, tugged at her mother’s blouse. “What’s making out?”

“Ugh, that’s my cue to go onstage.”

I got out of there fast, leaving all the explanation to Cole.