Page 63 of Promise Me

“Do you bake, too?” I ask.

She nods. “You’ve taught me everything you know.”

“Do you think you could run it without me for a bit?”

It’s not that I don’t want to go back. It’s just weird. Being there and not having a passion for it.

“I could, yeah, but it’s more fun with you.”

“I don’t doubt that—friends do have more fun, but maybe for just a few weeks.”

“I can do that.”

We spend the next two hours talking about the lodge and the tourists who have come through the town. She tells me about the summer festival last year and how this year’s will take place in a couple weeks. The bakery has an event, but she promises she can handle it without me and assures me she has a new recipe she wants everyone to try.

By the time I’m walking up the steps to Hudson’s apartment, I know the exact reason why Brooke and I fit so well.

She has a passion for baking that reminds me of my mother. I have no doubt that’s how we bonded and became best friends.

I push the door open slowly. It’s dark inside beyond the TV screen glow. Hudson sits up as I close the door behind me.

“Hey, I wasn’t sure when you’d be back.” He stands, wincing as he stretches his leg.

“Why don’t you sleep in your room until the new couch is here? It should be delivered tomorrow.”

“I’m not sleeping in my room, Sadie. You keep the bed. What’s in the bag?” He points to the lily-covered gift bag filled with books in my hand.

“My favorite novels, it seems. Brooke sent them with me.”

“Did you have fun?”

“I did. I learned a lot.”

I set the bag down and cross my arms.

Hudson’s eyes take in the motion slowly before mimicking my action and looking me in the eye.

It’s like he’s preparing to spar with me.

“What did you learn?” he asks.

“Well, first off, you bought the bar out from under me and moved in here, and that’s why I don’t own it right now.”

He nods.

“So I was right?”

“Don’t gloat.” I shove his arm.

“I’m not.”

He’s smirking.

“Why have you never told me this? Or why didn’t you mention it sooner?”

I’m not really mad, but it would have helped, I think.

He shrugs. “I didn’t think it mattered. I only put it together today, and it would have been from my view. I didn’t think it was fair to share since you couldn’t remember your side of it. I mean, what if I had been wrong?”

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