Daniel
Makingsmall talk was fuckingexhausting, man. I’d never enjoyed meaningless conversation but I used to at least be competent at it, the same way I’d never liked running, but I’d put in my five miles three times a week to stay in shape. Pulling open the door toFanaille,I realized I was nearly breathless from the exertion of beingsocial.
But it felt good, strangely enough. Like chit-chat with Rena, Dana, Si, and Ev had triggered some kind of endorphin rush. I found myself noticing shit I wouldn’t otherwise have paid attention to, like fliers for some holiday bazaar at the fairgrounds and the O’Leary Parade ofLights.
It was getting to beChristmasfor God’s sake. A fuck of a lot had changed since last year. And other stuff hadn’t changed atall.
“Heya, Daniel.” Cal James, the redhead who owned the bakery nodded in my direction as he filled pastries for the two women standing in front of the register. “Haven’t seen you in a bit. How’s itgoing?”
I fought the urge to look down and verify that someone hadn’t slapped a “please talk to me” sign on my chest when I wasn’t looking. I’d been coming to town more, it was true. I’d realized O’Leary was important to Julian, so I was making more of an effort to understand the place, so he could really talk to me about it. But it still feltodd.
“Good,” I said. “Goingwell.”
“Oh, hey Daniel,” Cal’s boyfriend said, coming out of the back room. He was carrying a tray of tiny pies—pecan, pumpkin, and apple, each one smaller than my palm. They smelled fuckingamazing,like ediblecomfort.
“Those lookgreat.”
He set his tray down on the counter and I saw his name embroidered over his right pec.Ash.Duh. Cal and Ash. I’d heard their names spoken together so many times, it should have been impossible for me toforget.
Ash’s dark eyes were friendly as they met mine. “All the credit goes to the baker,” he said, tilting his head in Cal’s direction. “I just do the lifting andcarrying.”
“Lies,” Cal said, making it clear that he kept half his concentration on his partner at all times, even when he was helping customers. He turned to one of the women in front of the register. “Poppy, who makes the best key lime tarts intown?”
“Ashley does,” the brunette replied obediently. She smiled widely at Ash. “And I’m not just sayingthat.”
Ash grinned and rolled his eyes at me as if to say,What can you do?I found myself grinningback.
“So what can I getcha?” Ash asked. “I’m guessing… atartlet?”
“Two of each, please.” I paused. I wasn’t likely to get back to town for a while, and Julianwouldbe helping to eat them. “Make itthree.”
Ash chuckled. “Four of each would make it an even dozen,” he pointedout.
“Done. And give me a few extra of the pumpkin? They’re Julian’sfavorite.”
Ash grabbed a couple of the white cardboard boxes from the back counter and started to fill them forme.
“At this point it’s probably more cost effective to get whole pies,” Cal warned me, finishing up with his customers and moving over to lay a hand on Ash’s lower back. “Sure you wouldn’t rather dothat?”
“Nah. It’s not the same,” the woman called Poppy said, gathering up herboxes.
“It’s not,” Iagreed.
She grinned. “Hey, I’m Poppy Andrews, by the way. I’m the kindergarten teacher over at the school.” She jerked her head towards the front window and the rest of townbeyond.
“Oh, right. Daniel Michaelson.Hey.”
I offered her a hand and she shifted her boxes to shakeit.
“This is my friend Marta. She’s from over in Rushton,” Poppy said, pushing forward a smaller, dark-hairedwoman.
Marta bit her lip and blushed shyly as I shook herhand.
“Are you new to town?” she asked in a self-conscious, possibly flirtatious way. Poppy interrupted before I had toanswer.
“Mart-uh. Ofcoursehe’s new to town! He’s Julian Ross’s boyfriend. Remember I told you the story about the kitten at thediner?”
“Oh myGod!” Marta squealed. “That was the cutest,cuteststory! And I think you two are just the cutest,cutestcouple!”
