Page 20 of The Great Maple Mistake

Okay, that’s not truly realistic. Everyone has a type, don’t they? “How’s that work?”

He shrugs. “I’m pansexual. I’m attracted to a person. Who they are, not what they look like.”

I could smack myself. Of course that makes perfect sense now. My heart beats faster. “So, I know it doesn’t matter how youidentify, and I hope you aren’t offended by my asking this, but I’m curious. And I get that curiosity doesn’t entitle me to an answer, so I won’t be offended if you tell me it’s none of my business.” God, I’m being such an ass by asking, but yup, I’m doing it anyway. “Have you dated more than one gender?”

My question is phrased awkwardly, but thankfully he gets what I’m asking. “Yeah. Parts don’t matter to me. It’s the personal connection with the individual that matters. Physically, it’s all attractive to me.”

Before I can reply, Bethany reappears. “Looks like you both enjoyed your dinners.” She pulls out her order pad. “Can I get you any dessert? I’d suggest Red’s famous Maple Custard Pie, but with your allergy, that’s a no.” Cody’s nostrils flare, but that’s the only sign of his frustration. “We have non-maple basics like chocolate cake, or brownies with vanilla ice cream, and apple pie, which you can get with ice cream too.” She shrugs. “I guess you could get any of our desserts with a side of ice cream.”

When Bethany looks at me, I shake my head and pat my belly. “None for me. I’m full right now.”

“Me either.” Cody gives her a brilliant smile. “And I’d like the check, please.”

She rips the receipt off of her pad and hands it to him with a flourish. “No problem. Here you go.”

I scramble to reach it. “Cody, no. At least let me split it with you.”

He winks at Bethany, who giggles and spins away, heading off to her other tables. Then he turns that thousand-watt smile on me. “I asked you out. I pay.” When I reach again for the check, he furrows his brows and hits me with the saddest, pleading look. Goddamnit, how am I supposed to say no to that?

“Fine!” I throw up my hands in defeat. “You can pay tonight. But I get the next one.”

This time, his smile is blinding. “Deal. Because that means you’ll go out with me again.”

I snort. “Like there was ever any doubt.” I shove his shoulder. “Charmer. And that smile… You’re a damned menace. You know that?” He laughs as he pulls out his wallet and counts out the cash. “Will you at least let me leave the tip?”

“Nope.” He tucks the bills under his water glass and slides out of the booth. I scramble behind him, and when we’re both standing, he takes my hand and leads me out of the diner to a chorus of whistles and hoots from the Rocktogenarians.

Chapter 9

Alex

Once we’re outside, Cody strolls toward the park at the center of town. His palm feels rough against mine, but his grip is firm, and having that contact is as comforting as it is electric. The sun has gone down behind the buildings, giving everything a warm glow, and we take our time walking the few blocks between Red’s and the park. There are still quite a few people around. Some are cutting through the park to the business side of the square, some are heading away from town, and others are strolling hand in hand like Cody and I are. We’re not in any particular hurry, and we don’t have any destination in mind. Though Cody steers us toward the gazebo, so maybe he does have a plan.

The gazebo is one of those classic eight-sided wooden structures, painted white, with intricate latticework at the top and a dark-shingled, round roof. There are benches inside, and we take a seat, quietly at first, watching the people move around as the last of the light fades and the stars begin to come out. It’s incredibly romantic, and as darkness falls and the number of people around continues to dwindle, it’s as if we’re in our own little space, hidden away from everyone else. “This is one of myfavorite places in town. It has been since I was a kid. Especially this time of year when the view during the day is so pretty, with all the flowers and green grass. And at night, it’s almost like a secret hiding place.”

Cody bumps my shoulder. “You weren’t scared as a kid? Being here in the dark?”

“Nah. I almost always had someone else with me—my parents, Luke, or Finn. And there wasn’t anything to be afraid of.”

He chuckles. “Not even the dark?”

I shake my head, though I’m not sure he can see it in the dim light. “Nope. I knew Mabel wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

“Mabel?”

I turn sideways on the bench so I’m facing him. “The town’s mysterious resident. I guess you’d call her a cryptid, but that always seemed rude. To me, she’s just Mabel.”

Cody laughs. “Wait, the town has a cryptid? Why haven’t I heard about this?”

I shrug. “Probably because it’s old news to most residents. And she’s not dangerous. Every now and then, she might eat a few of the vegetables out of someone’s backyard garden, but that’s about the worst of it. She mostly hangs out in the woods.”

“Come on. Really?”

“Yup. I even saw her once.”

Cody nudges my leg. “You’re teasing me. Right? Get the new guy to believe the town has Bigfoot living in the woods?”

I shake my head. “Nope. She’s real. Hangs out at Zeke’s compound every evening. Well, I suppose it’s Drake’s compound now. And she visits Finn’s parents’ back yard. Has for years. Charlie saw her there just a month or so ago. That’s where I saw her too, when I was twelve. Interesting that he’s not much older than I was when I saw her.” I wonder if she’s less worried about being around younger residents. “Anyway, people leave food out for her, and it’s gone in the morning. Could it be raccoonsor other nocturnal animals eating it?” I nod. “Yeah. Might be. Except we don’t have a raccoon problem or anything like that. We don’t really even have a rodent issue in town. Some people say that’s because of Mabel.” Cody cocks his head to the side, squinting at me, obviously trying to decide if I’m pulling his leg. “Look, I got a picture of her. It’s at home, but I’ll show you later.”

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