Page 28 of Wild Night

“Where are we going?” I ask.

Cidney looks over to me, her bright smile firmly in place, and I wonder what it’s like to smile that big. She appears not to have a single care in the whole world, and there is something absolutely mesmerizing about that.

I don’t think I have ever been carefree a single day in my entire life. Not one. Not even when I was a toddler, if I had to guess. So, seeing her as an adult, just smiling and happy, is beautiful but also just plain interesting.

“Thunder Rock Bakery. It’s seriously the only place in town to get coffee and treats, but even if it weren’t, it would still be the best because it’s that good. Dakota works here,” she says.

“She does?” I ask.

Dakota has never told me that she works anywhere other than as a virtual assistant. The bakery comes into view, and I stop in front of it. It’s adorable.

The whole place looks like a French pastry shop.

There are two large windows, and the wood surrounding them is painted a dark mint green, with a salmon-colored awning that spans the top of the entire space. The door is a deep chestnut wood color with a gold handle, and to match that gold, the name of the bakery is painted in the same color across the front door with black outlining.

It's perfection.

Cidney opens the door, and I move inside, closing my eyes before I inhale the sweet scent of baked goods. My god. Amazing. I think I gained ten pounds just smelling the place.

“Cidney,” a voice calls out.

When I open my eyes, I see a woman I recognize from the wedding standing behind the counter. I don’t think I could miss her, not with her beautiful head of bouncing curls and her bright, smiling face, another genuine-appearing woman without a care in the world.

Maybe it’s not just me. Maybe the air here or something makes people happier. I’m not sure, but now I’m becoming more intrigued by the minute.

“Hey, Lainey, this is—” But before Cidney can introduce me, Lainey interrupts her.

“I know exactly who this is. I didn’t get to talk to you at the wedding. I’m so glad you’re here,” she says, her smile never fading.

A few moments later, we all three have a scrumptious-flavored coffee in our hands and are sitting at a small rectangular table with a plate of sweets in front of us. There’s an éclair, a thick cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, a baked berry tart, and a blueberry crumble muffin.

Heaven. All of them. I want them all, and I wonder how on earth Lainey stays as thin as she is with these tempting treats around her on a regular basis.

“I cannot eat any of this,” I state.

Lainey laughs softly, then produces a knife and cuts every item into threes.

“Now they’re low fat,” Cidney states.

I almost laugh but decide to reach for a bite of éclair instead. As soon as the sweet pastry touches my tongue, I let out a moan as my eyes slide closed.

Holy.

Shit.

Lainey giggles, which causes me to open my eyes. “Dakota had the same reaction to the éclairs,” she says.

That thought makes me smile. I only know Dakota through some phone calls and lots of text messages, and as much as you can get to know someone that way, there are parts of their personality you can miss out on, like favorite pastries that you share.

“How long are you in town for?” Lainey asks.

I can feel Cidney’s gaze slide to the side of my face. She is clearly interested in the answer, too. I don’t blame them. I literally showed up out of nowhere and am now camped out like I belong here. They know as much as I do that I indeed do not belong here.

“I’m not sure,” I confess.

There is a moment of silence, and then I feel Cidney’s hand wrap around my wrist before her fingers flex, squeezing me there. Slowly, I turn my head and look at her. I can see the concern on her face.

She is clearly worried.

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