Page 35 of Half Baked

My heart sinks. I should have just thanked him for saving me from the abrasive tourist. I did appreciate it. We could have walked back to the table together and celebrated our win. Because as much as it pains me to say it, this first episode isourwin.

Chapter 16

Poppy

“Ineed an extra-large coffee, and maybe a shot of espresso.” I cross my arms on the counter and drop my forehead into them. We stayed out later than we should have last night. Or at least later than I should have, considering how early I have to get up to start baking.

But it was so nice to have a summer night on the beach with the girls. We grabbed a bottle of rosé to go with our sorbet and it felt like the old days. Before we were busy with adult responsibilities. Just a group of high school girls sneaking out of the house past curfew for no reason other than to say we did.

“Rough night?” Nessa laughs, picking up the boxes I deposited before collapsing on her counter. A second later, she slides an iced coffee across the counter to me.

“Let’s just say I could probably use Wren’s typical order today.”

“Wren’s order should come with a surgeon general’s warning,” Nessa snorts. She’s all too aware of our friend’s unhealthy caffeine habit. After all, she ends up being the main supplier.

“Good morning,” Stevie’s cheery voice sings from the doorway.

I mumble back an indecipherable groan.

“Tired?” she asks, pushing my hair out of my face.

“Oh, no, I’m doing just great.”

“Clearly,” she replies with a smirk. Then turning to Vanessa, she asks, “Can I do a sweet cream cold foam on the coffee today?”

“Coming right up.”

Now just the two of us, Stevie looks at me with a serious expression on her face. “How are you feeling about things in the light of day?”

“There’s nothing to have feelings about.”

Apparently, her plan was to trick me into talking this morning under the guise of a coffee break. And once Stevie latches onto something, she is not one to let it go.

“Poppy, I saw. You practically swooned when he put his arms around you. And, since when would you be okay with him touching you in any way?”

“Fine, but not so loud,” I whisper, my eyes darting around the café to make sure no one heard her. “Okay, listen. There have been moments since this show came along that we haven’t seemed as actively hostile towards one another.Briefmoments. But even still, it’s really gotten in my head. Which is probably his plan.”

“His plan for what?”

“Psychological warfare.”

Vanessa returns with Stevie’s coffee, and we slip out the door to the peaceful streets of the Brick District. The trees create a peaceful shade as we stroll down the brick walk, headed back towards my bakery. People ride by on bicycles in beach attire, taking over the roads in the heart of town this time of year.

Stevie sips her coffee, a contemplative look on her face. “Do you honestly believe that?” she asks. “That he’s playing a game?”

“It’s easier to accept than the alternative.”

“Which is?”

“That he’s simply choosing to be nice to me for no reason.” I shrug.

“Maybe there is a reason,” she muses.

My heart races at her words, and I’m desperate to throw her off the trail before she continues down this path. I can’t worry about something as silly as hoping a boy is nice to me because he likes me. The show is resting on our tenuous frenemy situation, and the show is what matters. Because that’s the way I get to keep my bakery.

There is one thing I’m curious about though. “Speaking of last night, what was with that little look you two kept giving each other during trivia?”

She hesitates, pursing her lips. “Just between us?”

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