Page 23 of All I Want Is Love
But I have never dated.
I just went to a bar, flirted a bit and let somebody pick me up.
Soren wants to get to know me, and it’s scary as fuck. I have so little to offer, while he is a vet with an exciting career and a funny, intriguing personality. And I am bland like milk coffee without sugar and spice.
Barkley grunts.
“I know,” I tell him. “I already said yes. I can’t back down now, or it would be even weirder. But how about we at least go and buy some snacks?”
At the wordsnackshe jumps up excitedly.
“I agree, it’s a great idea!”
Barkley and I use the opportunity to go for a walk, plus do some shopping. I haven’t been hiking before. Most of my time growing up, I either studied or did what my parents told me to do, and then as an adult, I went to college, andagaindid what my parents wanted me to do. And at work… again…
There clearly is a pattern.
I wonder if I do have a personality aside from them.
“Hello, my dear,” Mrs. Bell, the owner of the bakery, greets me. “How can I help you?”
“I am going hiking tomorrow. I wondered if there is anything I could take along?” I ask, blushing slightly. “I have no experience with hiking, so…”
“What a lovely idea,” she beams. “You are going with Soren, aren’t you?”
Oh, I am dead. How did she know!? She must have sensed my confusion, because she just smiles. “He always goes hiking on a weekend when he has the time. And seeing how the two of youhave been walking around together, it was just an old lady taking a good guess.”
She winks at me, making me blush even further. How much more embarrassed can I possibly get before I explode!?
“He is really nice to me,” I stutter.
She grins. “Indeed. He isnice.” Before I have the chance to say anything, she continues. “As for tomorrow, I can prepare you some sandwiches. I will wrap them properly. Keep them in the fridge and they should remain fresh until tomorrow.”
“Please, that would be fantastic!” I watch her shuffling around, hearing the bell at her front door chime another time and a middle-aged couple, the Porters, coming in. They own the grocery store across the street.
“Oh, Leo,” the woman beams. “We have just seen your decorations!”
“Maybe Aspen and Robin will win this year,” her husband says.
“And then we could go against East Sunhaven,” Mrs. Bell agrees. “Their decorations have always been better, but this year we have a chance.”
“I thought it’s just a contest within the town?” I ask.
“It is,” Mrs. Bell says. “But the two towns always go against each other for the best town decoration. We have an event shortly before Christmas with a huge snowball fight and other competitions. The best Christmas decoration is part of it.”
“I am sure the mayor will soon contact you,” Mr. Porter says.
“Oh, and I know it’s all a bit much for this year, but next year maybe we could hire you for some help,” Mrs. Porter adds.
Mrs. Bell waves her hand. “Shush, Daisy, I wanted to ask him first.”
“We can deal with that next year,” Mr. Porter says. “For now, we should focus on the town. Our Christmas decorations suck.”When the two women want to protest, he makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Come on, we know it’s true.”
I feel a new wave of panic hitting me. It’s one thing to help Aspen, but another to get involved in town business, especially when it means I have to deliver no matter what. “I am not sure if…” My voice gets stuck in my throat, like every time I am getting stressed. “I mean… I don’t know…” Fuck, why can’t I talk like a normal person!?
It should be so easy: I don’t know if there is enough time to pull something off. I have never done a decoration job, so no promises. I don’t know if I can pull it off.
Fucking easy!
