Page 15 of The Great Maple Mistake

He shakes his head, eyebrows raised. Maybe in surprise? “No. I’d like it if you walked me to my car.”

“Okay.” I gesture toward the door. “After you.” His sweet smile makes me feel like I’m floating on air, and I can’t wait for Friday to get here.

Chapter 7

Alex

“Luke!” I stare at myself in the full-length mirror. “Hey, Luke!”

“Hold your horses, I’m coming!” I hear heavy pounding on the stairs, and my door swings open, almost knocking me on my ass. “What?” He glances around the room, eyes widening as he realizes how close he came to taking me out with the door. “Oh, shit. Sorry. What’s up?”

I take in the Timberlands, khaki shorts, pink T-shirt, and the rainbow apron with “Proud of my cooking” on the chest. I can’t believe I’m about to askthiswhen he’s wearingthat. “Outfit check, please?” I slowly turn in place, arms out. “Dinner at Red’s. Walk after. Maybe drinks at the tavern.” His curious expression turns serious, and he gives my outfit a thorough once-over. After almost an hour of trying on and rejecting things, my confidence in my own ability to judge my outfit is nil, and I need his endorsement. I’ve opted for a long-sleeved, pewter-green button-front shirt, rolled at the sleeves, over off-white skinny jeans and my chestnut-colored suede loafers. “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, but I don’t want him to think I didn’t try at all.”

Luke takes another minute to consider and then nods. “You look great. That’s a good color on you.” My brother is no fashionista, but he does usually have decent taste in clothing, and I trust him to tell me when I could do better. “So, who’s the ‘him’ you’re going out with?”

I haven’t mentioned Cody to my brother or dad. Or to anyone but Finn, really. Not that they wouldn’t approve, but I wasn’t exactly sure Cody was interested. There hadn’t been much contact between us after my visit to the station. In fact, the Saplings meeting was the first time we’d talked since then. So to say I was surprised when he asked me out would be an understatement. But I wasn’t about to say anything but yes. “Cody Sheppard.”

“The new firefighter?” Luke whistles appreciatively. “Nice! He’s all kinds of yes, please. But I’m not surprised he askedyouout.”

“Really? Why?” I hadn’t meant to sound so surprised, but I suppose I am.

Luke rolls his eyes. “C’mon, Alex. You’re a catch. Of course he wants to go out with you.”

“Aww, Luke.” I close the distance between us and wrap him in a hug. “Thanks.”

He hugs me fiercely for a few seconds, then lets me go. “Okay, gotta go check on my Apple Charlotte. I’m gonna get it right if it kills me, and I don’t want it to burn. Again.” He hurries out of my room, yelling over his shoulder. “This weekend! You, me, and The Great British Baking Show!” I hear him pound down the stairs and hurry back into the kitchen. A few weeks ago, he announced to Dad and me that he’s entering the dessert division of The Great Maple Cook-Off and has been working on his recipe for weeks. Luckily, I’m not judging the contests, so I can sample his different attempts without guilt.

With huge amounts of regret for past me’s clothing panic, I begin picking up the discarded items, putting them on hangers or folding them neatly then putting them away. I make it through half the mess when the doorbell rings. My stomach clenches, and I toss the shirt in my hand back onto the chair and hurry downstairs.

By the time I get to the door, Luke’s ushered Cody into the house, hands still covered with potholders. “C’mon in. Alex is”—he turns and sees me descending the stairs—“right here.”

“Hi.” Cody gives a small wave. “You look amazing.”

Ilook amazing? No,helooks amazing in his tobacco-colored chinos that cling to his thighs. And his dark brown, short-sleeved knit polo puts his muscular biceps on full display and hugs his shoulders and chest like I want to. “Um, thanks. You look amazing too.” I drag my eyes away from his oh, so delicious body, meet his gaze, and blush profusely. His smirk would be cocky on just about anyone else, but there’s also so much pure joy in his expression that it comes off as endearing.

Luke smacks his potholders together, and Cody’s head snaps around to look at him. “Sorry, I’m being really rude. I’m Cody Sheppard.” He holds out his hand to Luke, who grins and tucks an oven mitt under his arm, extracts his hand, and shakes Cody’s.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Alex’s brother, Luke.”

A clearing of his throat and the creak on the stairs is my dad’s way of announcing his presence. He descends the last step and extends his hand to Cody. “Graham MacDougall. I’m Alex’s dad. It’s nice to meet you.”

Cody’s grin is wide and genuine. God, he has perfect teeth. And a perfect jawline. And I’m definitely staring at his bicep again as he shakes my dad’s hand because, yeah, perfect arms. In fact, almost everything about Cody is perfect. At least what I’ve seen so far. “Sir, it’s very nice to meet you.”

Dad gestures to Luke’s oven mitts. “You baking something?”

“Shit!” Luke turns and darts into the kitchen but shouts from the other room. “Yeah! I’m making Apple Charlotte.” We can hear the beeps from the oven as the timer goes off, followed by Luke opening the oven door. “Oh man, this smells soooo good. And it’s not burnt this time!” Dad and I grin at each other. Luke’s head pops through the kitchen doorway. “You guys want to try it?”

I do, because it smells delicious, and I want to be supportive of Luke, but I also don’t want to ruin my appetite. “No thanks.”

Cody considers, and then I remember there’s maple in the recipe. I shake my head at him, eyes wide, and mouth ‘maple’ at him. He winces and mouths ‘thanks’ before answering Luke. “I think I’ll pass, too. We’re heading out to eat. Maybe next time?”

Luke shrugs, unbothered by our refusal. “Your loss.”

Dad snorts. “And my gain. I’d love to try some.”

“Okay, but come in here because I still need to brush it with more glaze.” He waves a potholder at us. “Hey, it was great to meet you, Cody.”

“Good to meet you, too.”

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