Page 167 of Just for the Plot

I actually put money down and I’m supposed to pick it up in a week. Then I take it to the body shop and get it wrapped. This is all so…intimidating.

And I’m attempting not to feel like a failure, but it feels almost impossible to war with all the emotions.

Either way, I put the money down, I applied for an LLC, and I bought the domain name for The Whimsy Wagon.

I also told Gretchen I was going to need some time to get things set up, but that maybe by next month, I could be the featured bookstore. She seemed okay with that, at least that’s what it seemed like after rereading her incredibly curt email of “Sure.”

Bennett gets back from his road trip in three days, and part of me is nervous to see him, because I’m unsure what I’ll do. I know I shouldn’t do anything, maybe offer him a high five and “nice to see you,” but I think we all know at this point that is not going to happen, which makes it all so much worse.

I haven’t really spoken to Gabby in a week, well, ever since I showed up in Bennett’s bed, the night before he left, because I don’t know what to say to her. I’m bursting at the seams here with no one to talk to. And I don’t want to keep talking to my boss about it, because I’m quite sure she’s getting tired of my dramatics. Don’t blame her, though. I’m tired of them too.

“Um, excuse me,” a woman with blond hair says as she stands in front of me with a box of cookies from one of my favorite bakeries. She looks vaguely familiar, but I don’t think I’ve met her before. “Are you Bower?”

“I am,” I say, confused as to how this woman knows me while I sit here in the middle of the coffee shop.

The woman smiles and sets down the cookies. “These are from Bennett. He asked me to bring them to you.” She leans forward and holds out her hand. “Hi, I’m Maple. I’m actually Graydon’s girlfriend.”

“Graydon from the Foghorns?”

She nods. “That very one.”

“Wait, you’re Flock and Tackle. That’s right. That’s why you look so familiar. My God, when you two launched your social media together, I was all over that shit. My little romantic heart was going crazy. Ugh, you and Graydon are so cute together.”

“Thank you,” she says sweetly. “I like to think we’re cute together too.”

“You got the whole grumpy-sunshine vibe going. Really cute.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty grumpy. I genuinely believe he only smiles for me at this point.”

“But how cute is that? You’re the only one who brings him joy. Makes you special.”

“That it does. Although, you’re pretty special if you have a guy calling in favors to send his girl cookies.”

I take a look at the box, my mouth watering from already knowing what’s inside. “He had you get these and deliver them? That’s a pretty bold ask.”

“May I have a seat?”

“Oh, of course, please.”

She takes a seat and then says, “It was a bold ask, but I felt like I owed him. He helped out a lot when Graydon and I were going through a dark time. And he said he just wanted to make you feel special, which I thought was cute.”

“Well, he did. Do you actually mind taking a picture of me with the cookies and I’ll send it to him?”

“Of course,” she says as I hand her my phone.

She snaps a picture and I send it over to Bennett with some kiss emoji and a thank-you. When I’m done, I flip open the box, revealing my favorite Twix-flavored cookies. The shortbread base with the caramel and chocolate, ugh, divine.

“Here, have one. They’re so good.”

“Oh, I don’t want to take one of your cookies.”

“Do you have the time?” I ask. She nods, so I hold out the box to her. “Then you can have a cookie.”

She smiles and then takes one, pulling a napkin from the napkin holder and then setting her cookie down.

“Thank you.”

“Have to spread the love. Also, I can’t eat all of these by myself. The man keeps feeding me pastries, and I fear it might start showing.”