Page 39 of What I Like About You

Amy Chen

How does FAME feel?

7:53 PM

… kind of nauseating, not going to lie.

7:54 PM

SEVEN

Sawyer is behind the counter at Maple Street Sweets, and I instantly second-guess what I am about to do. I watch him through the window, packing orders and chatting with customers, a pastel-blue apron tied around his waist.

I chew on my lower lip, wiping sweaty palms against my jeans. Maple Street Sweets was supposed to be a solution, not a problem. A place where I canbake, since Gramps’s kitchen is off-limits.

But clearly, I need a Plan B. Maple Street Sweets isn’t safe if Sawyer works here.

“Seriously, Hal?” Ollie says, exasperated.

“I’m good. Just give me a sec,” I say.

I don’t know why I didn’t connect Maple Street Sweets to Sawyer. I know that Sawyer’s parents own the best bakery in Middleton. I know that Maple Street Sweets is, without a doubt, the best bakery in Middleton.

The first time Grams and I stumbled into this bakery was thesummer after I turned twelve, in need of an immediate sugar fix. It was brand-new then. It’s part of the Main Street Shoppes—“a giant tourist trap” according to Gramps, who hates the spike in population during the summer months. Middleton is close to the beach without being a beach, making it the perfect affordable alternative for a family vacation, but Maple Street Sweets is a year-round draw.

It’s quiet in the bakery for a Sunday morning—typically, a line wraps around the L-shaped counter and ends out the front door. The first time I visited the bakery, I fell in love with the three pink walls, the cake-patterned wallpaper on the fourth, and the way the white countertops gleamed in contrast with the dark wood of the tables and chairs. But mostly, I fell in love with the rainbow of cupcakes behind the cases and the cinnamon-sugar scent that refuses to fade.

Last week, after the Cupcake Incident, I noticed there was aHELP WANTEDsign plastered on the front door, so I picked up an application and decided this job, this place where I can bake freely without breaking Gramps’s heart, ismine.

But Sawyer’s presence is a sign that screamsno. He’s Nash’s friend. I should not be getting any closer to the people in Nash’s life and creating more opportunities for slipups. Also, working in a bakery is too on-brand for Kels. Totally suspicious.

Still—maybe the rewards outweigh the risk. I can bake in areal professional kitchen. And I’ll have money that’smine. I have a savings account, filled with money from birthdays and holidays, but I’ve never had a job, apart from helping out on Mom and Dad’s sets.

It’ll round out my NYU application. Collegesloveteens with a good work ethic who seem to balance it all.

The scale in my mind tips and my decision is made.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

I pull down the hem of my Gryffinclaw T-shirt and smooth down my hair. Fix Grams’s necklace so it’s not sitting on the clasp. Before I change my mind, I reach for the door, ready to swing it open and march inside.

“Wait,” Ollie says.

“What?”

He drums his fingers against his thigh.

“Sawyerdoeshave an effect on people.”

Ollie blushes. “Shut up. He’s captain of the baseball team.”

“Is he?”

“Do you live under a rock?”

“It’s not baseball season!”

“I just need to get on his radar, you know? Please don’t embarrass me,” Ollie says.

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