Falling Like Leaves (Bramble Falls, #1)(23)

“I have no idea, but if I had to guess, I’d say it’s because she can’t stand when people don’t get along and she thinks if we’re stuck next to each other all day, we’ll become friends again.”

Cooper nods but says nothing as he looks out at all the dressed-up people arriving. An awkward silence fills the space between us, the shared memory of his rejection last weekend hanging in the air.

Finally he says, “I ran into Dorothy last night.”

“Oh?”

“She brought Harley to Cheesylicious for dinner. Stopped by my table just to rave about you.”

I grin. “Aw. I really liked her, too.”

“Well, as a Bramble Falls native, I feel like it’s my responsibility to make sure you’re informed about the people here,” he says. “Especially if you might become friends with them.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know how Dorothy kept mentioning her walks with ‘her girls’?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, she and her friends are well-known around town as the Gossip Girls.”

“Like the show?” I ask.

“More like they’re the heart of the Bramble Falls gossip mill.”

My jaw drops. “Shut up. Cute elderly Dorothy? Not possible.”

“It is possible. They’re the eyes and ears of this place. They walk in circles around the town square every day, getting their steps in and sharing rumors.”

“Cooper, stop it right now,” I laugh. “I don’t know if I should believe you or not.”

“I’m not lying!” He laughs, gracing me with his dimple.

“Dorothy?” I shake my head. “This is so scandalous.”

“Just thought you should know, in case you end up talking to her more,” he says.

“Thanks. I’ll be careful not to share my deepest, darkest secrets.”

He grins at me, his eyes lingering on mine before a shadow is cast over us.

“Can I get two tickets?” someone to my right says. Cooper’s gaze is still fixed on me when I look away, giving a tall white woman with light brown hair my attention.

I pull two tickets off the roll, and she hands me two dollars, which I hand to Cooper to put in the cash box. Once the woman leaves with her tickets, I put their matches in the large raffle-ticket spinners in front of the two baskets she is hoping to win—one with free passes to various upcoming Bramble Falls events, including the homecoming game in a couple of weeks, the double feature horror night at the drive-in movies in October, the community theater’s presentation of Wicked in November, and the Snow Ball in December, and one basket filled with treats from the Caffeinated Cat. I haven’t tried the pastries there yet, but my mouth waters just looking at them.

“I need a harvest spice latte,” I say, realizing my stomach is empty. “Do you mind manning the table alone for a few minutes?”

“Um, yeah,” Cooper says, standing. My eyes wander to his dark gray dress pants, which fit him perfectly. If staring at him were an Olympic sport, I’d win gold. I swipe at my mouth just in case I’m drooling in public. “I’m not going to let you walk all the way there on a bad ankle. You watch the table. I’ll be right back.”

“It’s been a week. My ankle is fine,” I argue, pulling my eyes back to his (impossibly handsome) face. “Even if it wasn’t, it’s literally across the street.” But he’s already on his way. “Cooper, stop! I can—”

“I can’t hear you!” he calls without looking back.

“At least take my credit card!”

He ignores me and keeps walking.

In the time that he’s gone, I sell twenty raffle tickets between four people, and all four put their tickets in the Caffeinated Cat basket. So when Cooper shows up with my latte and a dark red cookie, I’m ready to see what all the fuss is about.

I break it in two. Inside, swirls of something white mix with the buttery soft dough. I offer him the smaller half, which he declines.

I shrug. “Fine. More for me. What kind of cookie am I about to eat?”

“Red velvet marshmallow,” Cooper answers as I take my first bite.

It’s possible I moan.

Cooper laughs. “You like it?”

Okay, yeah, I definitely moaned.

“?‘Like’ doesn’t cover it,” I say after I swallow. “This is the sexiest thing I’ve ever eaten.”

Cooper’s eyebrows draw together, but he wears an amused smile. “Did you just call food sexy?”

“I called this red velvet cookie sexy, yes. Try to tell me I’m wrong.”

He laughs. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“Good. You should be fired from your job, by the way.”

“And why’s that?”

I gesture at what’s left of the cookie in front of me. “Because I’ve been here two full weeks. I’ve gone to that café every single day for coffee. And not once did you insist I get one of these. Worst employee ever.” I shake my head, take another bite, and fill my cheek with the gooey goodness. “And depriving me of these this whole time? If you didn’t already hate me, I’d fire you from our friendship. Worst ex-friend ever.”