Page 69 of Holiday Hook Up

What the hell?Adam stared into the bowl and then at Rachel. There’d been many years when this outcome wouldn’t have surprised him and maybe would have given him the boost he needed to propose without breaking into a pool of sweat.

But things were different. He was different.

He was finally ready for a lasting relationship, but not with Rachel.

When the women swarmed around her offering hugs and congratulations, he felt a little relieved that he didn’t have to address what the bowl revealed.

He glanced over at Bethany who hadn’t said a word. What was she thinking? He stepped over so that he was directly in front of her from the other side of the counter. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she repeated.

He could instantly see the water rimming her eyes. He nodded to the bowl. “I didn’t get it right this time.”

“I know.”

She did?Then why was she about to cry? He pointed to the kitchen. “Do you want to go somewhere private and talk? We could use Emma’s office.”

“No.” Bethany slid off the stool and reached for her coat and purse. “I think I’m going to go home. I’ll see you later, Adam.”

“Wait.” He glanced over at Sheila who gave him an encouraging nod to follow her out.

“I’ll go with you.” He hadn’t grabbed his jacket still hanging on a hook in the kitchen, but he didn’t care. He needed her to know what had happened was one hundred percent wrong, and it most certainly didn’t change the growing feelings he was having for her.

He followed closely behind as she pushed through the crowd. A young redhead he recognized as a beautician from the Spring Curls salon grabbed his waistband and asked if she could be the next bachelorette. “Um . . . maybe,” he said politely, and excused himself.

Bethany was outside already. He needed to catch up with her before she got too far down the street. Flying out the front door, he saw her standing at the corner. “LB, wait up.”

She spun on her heels, her long hair blowing in the bitter wind. “Adam, it’s cold. It’s been a really long day, and you shouldn’t be out here without a jacket.”

“I’m fine. Let me walk you to your car or take you home. Whatever you want.” He pointed behind him. “My truck’s in back of the bakery.”

When she stood for a few seconds without moving, he knew it wasn’t the weather causing her desire to call it a night. He needed to explain.

Although, he didn’t really understand why his name had appeared in Rachel’s batter. He only knew what he felt in his heart. “Why don’t we go to your place and talk?” He paused and added, “Rachel’s not my soul mate.”

There. He’d said it, and he meant it.

“I know.” She pulled her lavender scarf tight around her neck. “I know she’s not your soul mate.”

“Do you?” She didn’t have the tears in her eyes that she’d had earlier. That gave him a little confidence to step closer into her space. He put both hands on her shoulders.

Tell her now how hard you’re falling for her.He moved one hand up and stroked her cheek with his knuckle.

She brushed off his hand and looked away.

“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t quite sure what he was apologizing for, but he took her cue and stepped back.

“Adam, there’s something I need to tell you.” She shoved her hands in her coat pockets, her eyes locked with his.

“What is it, LB?” Was this the part where she told him she’d been doing some thinking and maybe they shouldn’t do anything to ruin their friendship? “If it’s about us, we can go slower than slow.” He sighed. “Or stop.”

“Maybe we should stop.”

Wrong answer.And why had she said it without hesitation? Had he misread her signals from the other night? “Okay,” was all he could say, but he didn’t mean it.

“Okay, then. Great. Good-bye, Adam.”

He stood stunned as she started down Main Street. Was it really over just like that? How could it be? No. They’d almost kissed three times, and it was not all one sided. She felt something for him, too. He knew it and wasn’t going to let her off the hook. He cleared his throat and called out, “You’re afraid, Bethany Wilson.”

---