Page 30 of From Nowhere

She perks up. “I thought you said no.”

“I did, but I changed my mind.”

Her spine straightens, and that smile I adore returns to her beautiful face. “Maybe you can change your mind about other things, like letting me ride to school by myself,” she says.

“I could, but I’m not going to.”

Chapter Nine

Maren

I’m a fraud, and I blame Ozzy Laster.

It’s been three days since I talked with him. I start my ten-day shift tomorrow. Could I text him? Sure, but I want him to make the next move so that I know it’s not one sided. Yet here I am, driving to Cielo with a plate of homemade cookies. Jamie is an excellent baker and an even better friend. She said popping into a guy’s workplace with cookies is always a win.

“Hey, Maren,” Hillary says. “What brings you in today?”

“You know, I got to thinking about the form I filled out for the insurance update, and I think I forgot to sign it. So I decided to pop in and check, and I thought I’d bring some cookies to leave in the break room.”

“You bake?” Hillary narrows her brown eyes.

No. I don’t bake. And I know I signed my insurance-update form. Again, I’m a fraud, and I blame Ozzy.

I shrug. “Sometimes.”

“Wow. Well, I’m sure everyone will scarf down those cookies, but there was no need to stop by, because you signed the form. I always check for signatures.”

“Phew. Now I feel silly. I should have just called. I’ll set these in the break room and finish running errands.” I have no errands. Getting Ozzy’s attention is my only plan for today.

“Better let me steal one before you take off with them.” She winks.

“Of course.” I fold back the plastic wrap so she can grab a cookie.

“These smell amazing. I love a classic chocolate chip cookie.” She takes a bite, and her eyes roll back in her head. “Youhaveto give me your recipe.”

“I’ll do that.”

Hillary narrows her eyes and slowly chews another bite. “There’s something extra. It’s so good, but I can’t quite place the taste. What is it?”

“It’s a secret ingredient.”

“If you’re giving me the recipe, you can just tell me.” She chuckles.

That’s such a good point.

“It’s the vanilla.” I smile.

“Really? I think vanilla is standard in chocolate chip cookies.”

She could be right. I need to make more things from scratch.

Her eyes widen. “Let me guess. Do you use vanilla straight from the bean instead of an extract?”

Retreating toward the door, I tap the tip of my nose. “Bingo.”

“Thanks, Maren.”

“You’re welcome.”

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