Page 6 of Only Ever You

But that was the beauty of baking, wasn’t it? Finding ways to make something taste even better? The fun-ness of trial and error? It was infuriating too, yes, but when something finally turned out perfect, that time and error was worth it.

Though the thought of expandingBaked’smenu beyond what it currently was made Faye’s stomach swim.

“The design though … ” she prompted.

“It’s really good. What are you going to use for the Rudolf nose?”

“I was thinking maybe one of those little hard coated chocolates? I’ll have to see if I can buy the red ones in bulk.” Andsoon.“But I could just ice it or use paste.” Which would take up even more time but was definitely cheaper than having to order in the sweets specifically.

“The chocolates sound good,” Bash mused while the high hat, piano, and saxophone played their light Christmas tune.

“And I thought of using mini pretzels for the antlers.” Faye twirled her finger around the design still illuminated on the phone screen, ignoring how their fingers had brushed when she’d reached to reclaim it.

“Lady reindeer. Nice.”

“Huh?”

Bemusement gleamed in Bash’s eyes as he bobbed his head in time to the live music. “Santa’s reindeer? They’re all females. Males lose their antlers in winter.”

Why was Faye not surprised he knew that?

“You’re an idiot,” she said affectionately and slid her phone back into her purse.

“I know.” Bash’s shoulders bunched up when he grinned in return.

An old teddy of Faye’s sat on the mini desk in the corner of herliving room and reminded her of him, though she’d never tell him that. Perhaps she could be subtle with it and buy him one of those teddy-bear hoodies that’ve been popular the last few winters for Christmas? Bash would certainly look good in one.

Though she shouldn’t be thinking of what he looked good in at all. Their relationship was completely platonic, as it had been for years. Yet here was where Faye found herself most days, and just like the drop of liquid rolling down her cocktail glass, she allowed for those thoughts to slip away once more.

Bash glanced over at the band. “I’m just going to use the bathroom. I’ll be back.”

“Actually, I need to go too.” Freddy, all six foot of Danish muscle, unfurled from his seat, and they slipped away together through the crowded tables. It wasn’t uncommon knowledge that on nights like these the pair stole a quick break from all of the oestrogen in the room for a brotherly catch up.

Tapping her foot to the music, Faye tracked Bash as he went. Inevitably her gaze dipped for the briefest second to how his jeans hugged his?—

“You are so smitten.” Maisie’s voice floated with as much delicacy as a crash landing goose across the table.

Faye snapped herself back around and gave the whole game away that she had in fact been staring at Bash’s?—

“I am not,” she said with the confidence of a cake about to sink in the middle, her foot ceasing to enjoy the tune.

Two pairs of glittering eyes and smirking lips met her.

“Yes you are,” Sienna chimed in. She’d worn the spiral curls of her raven hair down tonight, and the springy volume was as loud as her voice.

Faye’s browline raised higher. “I. Am. Not.”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”

“Because it’s not true.” Her insistence fell on deaf ears.

Maisie leant over the table. “At least five women have walkedpast Bash tonight – too close, by the way – and the only one he’s been looking at is you. He never takes his eyes off of you.”

Faye’s focus fell to the table, a fingertip moving back and forth against the neck of her half-empty glass. “He’s attentive.”

The picture of casual elegance, Sienna sat back and sipped on her drink. “You’re making our point very easy. You two should just marry each other.”

Marry each other.

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