Page 59 of Her Movie Star's Secret Plan

“But it really is your fault. You could have done more, like getting your pastry chef under control.”

“Did you want me to just give you a bunch of money to bail out your bakery? Is that how you wanted me to go above and beyond?”

“Heaven’s no.” Alexis looked horrified at the idea.

“You don’t even know what I’ve done, and even if I did, you’d probably say it wasn’t enough.”

“Then tell me.”

Owen raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure I should.”

Alexis grew still. “What did you do?”

“You’re going to think it’s dumb.”

“Try me.”

His insides felt like they wanted to crawl out of him. He hated fighting with Alexis like this. But she didn’t have all the information, and maybe it was time that she did.

“When I found out that your bakery was suffering because your customers were going to Hadley’s, I went to Chase to see if he had an idea of what I could do to make it up to you.”

Alexis studied him with an arched brow. “Go on.”

“Chase told me that you don’t like to accept charity.”

“I don’t.”

“So, he said we should keep it a secret.”

Alexis narrowed her eyes. “Keep what a secret?”

“We made this plan. Chase told me that the best way to spread the word in Maple Creek is an in-person conversation. So, I’ve been going around town telling people to go to your bakery.”

“What?” Alexis chewed the side of her nail. She was going to ruin her manicure, but he didn’t think it was the best time to point that out to her.

“I’ve been a walking advertisement forIcing on Top.”

Alexis dropped her hand, and her mouth fell open. “Is that why I kept finding you talking to little old ladies?”

“Maybe.”

“That’s . . . That’s actually really sweet, Owen.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s what I was hoping you would say.”

“I can’t believe you did that for me.” She wrapped her arms around him. “You’re an incredible guy.”

“We need to talk about something else,” Owen said.

“Okay?” Alexis sat back and looked at him with her eyes wide, and her brow furrowed. She looked scared.

“I’m falling in love with you. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I go back to California without you.” He studied Alexis for her reaction. She looked conflicted. It wasn’t the reaction he was hoping for.

“Then, don’t go.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“I know you can’t. But I still want to ask you to stay.” Alexis sat back on the couch. “What are we going to do?”

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