The Gingerbread Bakery (Dream Harbor, #5)(24)

‘Mac was so attached to me when he was little,’ his mom was saying. ‘I couldn’t even put him down long enough to bring in the groceries without him screaming his little head off.’

‘Aww…’ Annie teased as Mac groaned.

‘Okay, Mom, I think that’s enough stories that make me look like a sad little mama’s boy for one day.’

His mom lovingly patted his cheek. ‘There’s nothing wrong with loving your mother,’ she said. ‘And next time,’ she said, turning back to Annie. ‘I’ll bring out the photo albums.’ She winked conspiratorially.

‘That would be great. I’d love to see them,’ Annie said, even as she wondered if there would be a next time that she sat and chatted with Mac and his mother after spending the night. It didn't seem likely.

‘We definitely don't need to do that,’ said Mac as he got up to clear the plates.

‘But you were so cute and chubby.’ His mom tried to take the plates from his hands. ‘I can get that. I’m sure you two have plans for the day.’

‘Actually, I really should get home,’ Annie said before Mac could jump in with his next great idea.

‘Yep. I’m wide open to get these dishes done for you, Mom.’

‘Okay, sweetie, thanks for that. I need to get to work anyway.’ Mac leaned down so she could give him a kiss on the cheek before she hurried out of the kitchen to get ready for her shift.

‘I like your mom,’ Annie said.

‘Yeah, I like her, too,’ Mac said, leaving the dishes in the sink for later. ‘She’s kind of the best, which is why I need to find her the perfect Christmas present this year.’

‘What do you usually get her?’

Mac shrugged, leaning against the counter. ‘Usually something last-minute, or if my dad’s feeling generous, he’ll let me throw my name on something he bought. Or some bullshit like that. Seems like it’s time I up my gift-giving game.’

Annie happened to be an amazing gift-giver. It was one of her special talents, something she really prided herself in. But she needed to get out of here and away from Mac and back to her regular life. She could not volunteer to help him, and yet it was taking all of her energy not to suggest it.

‘Anyway,’ Mac said, ‘I’ll probably go back to the Christmas market to look for something good.’

Don't say it, Annie. Don't say it.

She tried to hold it in, she really did. But that was a terrible idea! He couldn’t just keep wandering the market waiting for a good idea to hit him. He needed to think about it before he went. The market was huge. He needed a plan. He needed her help.

‘I could come with you.’ Well, there goes that. She was not doing this because of the confused feelings last night had stirred up, or the possible sexual awakening Mac’s abs had inspired this morning. She was doing this for Mac’s mom, who deserved a good Christmas present this year. And maybe a little bit because of the abs.

Mac’s face lit up at the suggestion and Annie’s plan to spend time away from him went right out the window.

She could live in the fantasy for a little bit longer. What was the harm in that?











Chapter Twelve





Now


Mac had offered to drop Annie off at home so she could get other bridesmaid things done and he would go check the inn, but as expected, Annie’s control-freak tendencies were still in full swing. She didn’t trust him to go alone.

And even though he’d been asking Crystal out only a few minutes ago, he couldn’t help the excitement he felt at spending time alone with Annie. This was the first time in over a decade that she’d even allowed it, other than the night of Hazel’s birthday. And that had ended before it even started.

He’d tried to give her the space she clearly wanted, but in a town like this, avoidance was impossible. Especially since he and Logan had bonded over their secret love for creating little woodland scenes in decorative glass containers at Iris’s terrarium-making class and became better friends than they ever had been in school. Annie had become unavoidable. She was everywhere. Town-hall meetings, holidays at Logan’s house, farmers’ markets, festivals, school fundraisers. The woman was omnipresent.

He didn’t hate it, but unfortunately, she hated him.

Not that he could really blame her. He’d fucked up all those years ago. He was perfectly aware of that but, Christ, could that woman hold a grudge. How could Annie possibly still hold him accountable for his actions when he was a kid? He’d attempted to apologize, to explain multiple times since he’d been back, and she wouldn’t even let him try.

Right on track, Mac had swung from pining over Annie to being pissed that she wouldn’t even hear him out. That was typical, too.

By the time they arrived at the inn, he was equal parts frustrated with her and eager to hang out with her.

‘You should get me drinks more often,’ she said as she hopped out of the truck.

He ignored her pointed look. ‘What, so you can pour it on me? No, thanks.’ He strode toward the front entrance.

‘That was one time,’ Annie protested, hurrying to catch up.

‘Twice,’ he said, pausing at the big double doors to the Inn. ‘If you count the beer I bought you as a peace offering on my first night working at the pub.’