Page 13 of Leland

“Um, have you ever had them fromThe Baker’s Dozen? I swear they are infused with drugs or something. So fucking addictive.”

“I’ve never been there before.”

“ToThe Baker’s Dozen?”

“Yeah.”

He lifted me into the truck and buckled my seatbelt. I would have protested, but he did it before I even had time to react.

“We’ve been in Strickland for seven months and you haven’t been to the best bakery in town?”

“Isn’t it the only bakery?”

He scoffed as he climbed in the truck. “Only because all the others knew they wouldn’t stand a chance.”

We made small talk as we drove through the small town.

Once we arrived atThe Baker’s Dozen, he helped me out of the truck and took my hand again. My skin itched and I felt like my dress was too tight.

“Remember, it’s just new.”

Nodding, I swallowed the lump in my throat. He led me into the bakery and to a table near the window. After pulling out my chair, he sat across from me. I put my hands in my lap nervously.

“What’s your favorite kind of donut?” he asked.

Rage filled me before I felt like I had even processed his question. I pinched my thigh and tried to focus on the pain instead of my anger. What the fuck? What was happening?

“Um, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” he asked in mock horror.

“I’ve never had a fucking donut,” I said, standing so quickly I knocked over my chair. The sound bounced off the floor and filled the small room.

Heat rushed to my face when everyone in the small bakery turned to look at us. I bent down to pick up the chair and set it back at the table. How embarrassing.

“I’m sorry,” I said once I had it back in position.

“Sit back down, baby.”

***

Leland

I’d admit I was slightly shocked at Rouge’s quick display of temper, but my heart hurt for her. She looked as confused as I felt and it showed me she didn’t understand the current cause of her anger either.

Once she settled back at the table, I moved to sit beside her. Capturing her face between my palms, I waited for her to look at me. She flinched at my touch, but didn’t try and pull away.

“Look at me, Rouge.”

She obeyed.

“Take a breath, sugar.”

Once again she obeyed me. It was fucking beautiful.

A waitress hesitantly approached us. I sent her a reassuring smile and placed my hand on Rouge’s back, not wanting her to think she was facing this alone.

“We are having a bit of a rough morning. Could we have two chocolate milks, one coffee, and two dozen assorted donuts, please?”

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