Temptation Trails - Page 171

“Was it supposed to be… a gift?”

“Yeah, I thought you were nice and pretty. But then I found out you were with Garrett Haven, so I backed off.”

“Oh.” I smiled at him, not quite sure what to say. He still gave me the weirds a little bit, but not in the same way anymore. “Well, thank you for the gift. Is there any chance you’d like it back?”

“That’s okay. You can keep it.”

“That’s very nice of you. Thank you, Matt. How about I give you a little gift in return?” I swept my hand over the pastry case. “Pick anything you’d like. It’s on me.”

“Yeah? Thanks, Harper. But I still want you to come over and meet my bearded dragon. I know she’d like you.” He pulled out his phone and held it up. Sure enough, his lockscreen had a picture of a lizard. “See?”

I nodded slowly. “She’s really cool. Thanks for the invitation.”

“I have a question.” Mila came through the doorway. She paused and looked at Matt for what felt like too long to not be considered staring. “Nice shirt.”

Matt looked up from the pastry case and his eyes widened. “Thanks. I love true crime.”

She gazed at him, her lips parted. “Me too.”

“Do you listen to podcasts?”

“All day long,” she said, her usually monotone voice going a little dreamy.

Sugar cookies, I had a feeling I was witnessing a real-life case of love at first sight. There might as well have been little red hearts and fireworks and birds singing around them.

“Matt, this is Mila. She’s our new baker. And Mila, this is Matt. He loves true crime and also has a bearded dragon.”

“That’s my favorite animal,” she said.

“Mine too.”

Neither of them were looking at me. They stared into each other’s eyes, as if they’d hypnotized each other.

“Okay, so Matt, take your time. Mila, you just… keep doing what you’re doing. You can ask me your question later.”

She nodded slowly, but her eyes didn’t leave Matt.

I had a feeling they were just going to stand there, staring at each other, so I decided to intervene. I stood behind Mila, so I was in Matt’s line of vision, and waved to get his attention. Then I mouthed, ask her out.

He blinked, like he was coming out of a trance. “Mila, do you want to go out with me?”

“Yes, so much.”

“Can you go right now?”

She looked at me and, although I could hardly detect any change in her usual blank expression, I had to imagine there was some excitement in her heavily lined eyes.

The whole thing was so weird, but also adorable. “Yeah, go ahead. Have fun talking true crime and stuff. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” She gave me a quick nod before heading back to the kitchen to retrieve her belongings.

Matt caught my eye and, with a wide smile, gave me a very obvious thumbs up. Not subtle, that one.

Mila walked out and tucked her hand under Matt’s arm. She hadn’t even taken her apron off.

“Bye, you two. Have a nice date.”

They left without another word to me.