Page 67 of The Things That Hold Us

A laugh bubbles up, but so do some nerves. I’ve already met her once, but I don’t know what she knows about me. Or does she even know anything about me? Why would she, though?

“Well they smell delicious.” I tell her.

We walk into the kitchen, and I see the little girl that came into my shop a few weeks ago.

Now that I’m looking at them, she looks identical to her mom.

“Hazel, Charlie is here.” Sarah announces, making her daughter look up at me.

“Oh, hi!” she squeals. “Would you like some cookies for the road?” She asks.

“Oh. Um, Only if you have some to spare.”

As I say it, both her and her mom simultaneously turn their heads and look at me.

“Hazelalwayshas enough cookies.” her mom tells me, and I can’t help but laugh.

I look over at Hazel and smile, “So you like to bake?”

“Yes!” she says loudly, which makes me laugh even more.

“She started out with one of those easy-bake ovens, but I quickly realized she needed the real deal.” Sarah tells me as she bags up some cookies.

“Well then, I can't wait to try your cookies.” I tell her, and I mean it.

A huge smile spreads across her face, and she grabs a fresh cookie off of the tray, “Here! Try one now, so I can see your reaction. Loganneverbrings his girlfriends here so no one ever gets to try what I make.”

“Oh?” I ask, now curious by what she means by that.

“No. He’s never brought a girl here, now that I think about it.”

Sarah’s eyes shoot up to me, then to Hazel.

“Okay, I think that’s enough out of you. And Charlie’s not his girlfriend Hazel, they are just friends.”

Hazel frowns, “But she’s so pretty.”

“Who’s so pretty?” Logan asks as he walks into the room with a bag in hand.

“Charlie, duh.” Hazel says, waving her hand at me and rolling her eyes.

I watch as his cheeks flush slightly, and the sight of it makes me giggle. He’s getting embarrassed by his niece, and I’m loving every second of it.

The room goes awkwardly silent, no one knowing what to say, then Hazel speaks up.

“Well?” she asks Logan.

“Well what?” he asks back.

“Isn't she pretty?”

His eyes meet mine, and I think he’s about to get all awkward and embarrassed again, but he says with a voice smooth as butter,, “She’s gorgeous.”

My eyes meet his and my breath catches. He holds my stare for a minute, but then looks away.

Everyone is quiet, not knowing what to say, but Hazel just squeals and whispers to herself, “I knew it.”

I shake my head and laugh, because what else can I do?

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