le beside her. She had turned off the sound, shut the curtains, and even pulled th

e, just once, and that was a mistake. It had

stery Woman: Engag

kery Girl in t

ret Love Li

r the i

s. Some sites praised her "natural charm," and others called her a "small-

klyn. And she hadn't done anything e

er hair up, and her face pale but determined. She didn't know if customers would come or st

ere, stirring batter li

You made a mistake. The only thing you're guilty

r a look. "It

g. But you could

lked in on him

e you

ost smile

iet. Too quiet. Their usual early customers-college kids, nurses, and

d to each other. One of them pulled out her phone like she wa

ter quickly and focused on frosting

jacket came in pretending to

m it was on

you really dati

at's none of

left without b

lout wa

r felt so small. She leaned against the brick wall beside the shop and look

ath caught. The back window rolled down s

a," h

idn't

we

came

on

ated. "I'

re ou

her arms.

cks. He looked like he belonged in a movie. Next to her apron and cu

apologize

ked. "Se

tory would blow up this fast. I

nk?" sh

underestimated how

through the bakery window. I'm being fo

an eyebrow

eyes. "Do I l

me people just h

en if she didn't want t

ing on camera,"

ither," he

a pause be

.. watching me. They've been pushing

hy

s. That I need to look... stable

lly showing up made it look like

act

rned. "You want me

a date. Just... pretend

at him. "Th

temp

's wo

y you,"

"Oh, so I'm

compensation for the damage th

e problem, wasn't it? It was hurting the b

eekly. It doesn't have to be r

hter. "What happens when

etails. We keep it clean and respectful. We say it's p

mon

all I

omething you actually did. And yet her bakery needed money. Rent was going up. Flo

ut if you don't... this photo still stays out there. People

"You're aski

g you to p

f I sa

et a say in

. A drop of rain hit her chee

to him. "You'll

"Every step

eath. "Then I gu