Today was one of the busiest days of the year. I’m spent, but also satisfied with the results. After the crazy morning with my family, I had plenty of time to make sure that the B&B felt like a home away from home for the guests. I was also able to package the chocolate chip cookies and set them in the gift shop for sale. Booking the weekend for the bridal party was risky, but worth it. Gloria, the bride-to-be loved Kentbury, the B&B, and the resort.

Gloria found a few places where her wedding could be spectacular. Thankfully, Bethany, the event coordinator, convinced her to keep the ceremony and celebration within the resort. We can’t predict the weather, and during the winter it’s always cold. She’d have to wear a coat over her beautiful gown.

She’s booking the B&B for her and her bridesmaids. She’ll then move to the honeymoon suite at the resort for the wedding night, leaving her bridal party at the B&B.

Bethany is a genius. It’s such a shame that my brother can’t understand that we have a diamond in our staff. A diamond who I think has the hots for our chef André. Not that I should be nosing around their business, I’m just envious of them. It’s Saturday, and I don’t have anything nor anyone to do tonight. Unless my vibrators count.

That sounds terrible, but I’d give anything to have sex with a man and not one of my sex toys while I think of Heath Miller and his big, calloused hands making me come.

Resigned to spend my night alone with a pizza and Netflix, I drive home. However, I take a detour toward downtown and park right by the creamery. I might not have a date, but I can have a pity party loaded with carbs. Life is better with vanilla custard mixed with fresh berries, and I have plenty of berries at home. I wish I had thought about this before I left the resort. André’s chocolate fudge cake goes perfectly with it.

Ugh, why didn’t I fall in love with him? I’d be having hot sex tonight, and he’d feed me all my favorite foods.

I take a deep breath and decide to buy a half gallon of custard so I can save some for tomorrow. I’ll have to run an extra mile for the next week or two, but who cares? I’ll feast on chocolate cake and custard tomorrow.

As I’m about to throw my phone inside my purse, I notice a text from Kingston.

King: Where are you?

He’s not one to care about my whereabouts. He only cares when he needs me. I answer and then ask why? While I wait for his response, I stare at the small ice rink in the middle of the town square. My parents and some of the business owners around the area began the tradition. It attracts tourists. This place and the season remind me so much of Cassie when she was just a baby and we brought her to take her first picture with Santa.

The nostalgia is killing me tonight.

When I enter the creamery, the bell above the glass door rings. The place is busy with tourists. I’m glad that I don’t have to deal with people asking me where Cassie or Heath are.

“Where’s Cassie?” Mrs. Bowman, the owner of the creamery, asks.

I swallow the grunt and smile at her.

“I made hot cocoa flavor today,” she says. “I was hoping you’d bring her since it’s Saturday and the ice rink is open.”

“She’s with my dad tonight,” I answer sighing.

“I’m glad. You and Heath need some alone time. Do you want to take a pint home for tomorrow?”

Mute, I stare at Mrs. Bowman. There’re so many things I should tell her. Like Heath and I don’t need time alone. That we don’t share a home. We’re not a couple. I don’t because what if she says, I know, but you’re in love with him.

Does everyone see me as the pathetic loser in love with her best friend?

I don’t say anything. Even though I want to leave, I order a pint of hot chocolate, and a pint of marshmallow rainbow because it’s brand-new and we always try the new flavors together. I get half a gallon of vanilla custard, and because I just can’t help myself, I also order a pint of peppermint ice cream for Heath because I’m a sucker for that man.  

God, I need another intervention. A real intervention, not a talk with my brothers while they try to tell me what to do.

“Say hi to Cassie and Heath from me,” Mrs. Bowman says when she hands me over the bag with ice cream.

“Sure, Mrs. Bowman.” I fake a smile realizing that she really thinks I’m an extension of them.

We’re not a happy family.

“Tell Heath that I added the box of chocolate peppermint baskets he ordered. Do you think he’d like to try the marshmallow sprinkles?”

What are marshmallow sprinkles?

She doesn’t wait for my response and leaves me standing in front of the register.

“Here.” She hands me a tub of tiny snowflake shaped marshmallows.

I frown. Where does she get these novelties?

“How much do I owe you?”

She waves her hand and shakes her head. “It’s on the house. Heath never charges me when I need an oil change. He always helps me when my car, the appliances, or my furnace breakdown.”

That’s awfully nice of him. He’s always looking after everyone, and sometimes he doesn’t charge. I wish everyone could be more like him.

“Thank you,” I say because the second option is to pull out my wallet and explain to her that we’re not together.

Mooching off my best friend’s favors isn’t very neighborly of me. I’m usually verbal, but today I’ve been stopping myself from clarifying my relationship with Heath too many times. Earlier while I was talking to Bethany, she asked me if I was going to marry at the farm when Heath and I finally decided to take that step.

We’re not together.

“Drive safe, dear,” she says, waving at me. “The roads are starting to get icy. I’ll call Heath to let him know that you’re on your way home and to look out for you.”

I press my lips and nod. If I get the job in New York, I’m going to make sure that everyone knows that Heath and I aren’t an item. If not, they might start a rumor that I abandoned him and his daughter.