Page 6 of How (Not) to Conjure a Boyfriend
“Uh…” I release my grip and let the can clack freely on the wooden floor while I scramble to fix this. It can burst into flames for all I care, burn this whole place down, after all that. “W-what can I, I mean,weget you?”
I shuffle next to Landon to wait for Hayden’s order like I’m not covered in globs of whipped cream, as if this type of thing is completely normal.
“You good, bro?” Hayden takes a step toward the counter now that the danger is gone.
“Yeah, all good here! Of course! All good.” I grab a napkin and start wiping the mess from my shirt and face. Why me?
“Okay…I know y’all are about to close, sorry for coming so late.” Hayden settles his elbows on the counter, eyes jumping past us to the menu, like he doesn’t already know what he’s going to get. It’s always the same.
“It’s—” Landon starts, but I’ve already opened my mouth.
“You’re good. Perfectly fine,” I ramble. “Promise.”
“All right. I think I’ll have an iced caramel latte with cinnamon on top, and…” He leans to our right and eyes the display case. So far it’s his normal. “How about a slice of that maple butter pumpkin bread. I’m guessing y’all won’t have that much longer. Might as well try it.”
Something new. Wow! That’s never happened since I’ve known him. I scoot into Landon, nudging him to the side, and start ringing up Hayden’s order. He gets the hint and retreats to the coffee station to make Hayden’s drink.
“Your total is ten sixteen.” I smile at him.
“One second.” He fishes his card from his wallet and hands it to me. “Uh… You’ve got a…a bit of whipped cream on your face still.”
The look in his gray eyes says he’s trying so hard not to laugh. I reach up and wipe at my cheek, but he shakes his head. I try again. Nope.
“Let me help,” he says, and reaches across the counter.
Quicker than I’ve ever moved, I swipe my hands across my face. There is no way I’m letting him touch my face. It’s not happening. I don’t think I could handle it. I might faint, or worse, cease to exist. He raises his hands in defeat and settles back with a faint laugh.
“Did I get it?” I ask sheepishly.
“Yeah, you did that time.” He shakes his head.
“You are so pathetic,” Landon whispers as I turn around and breathe for what feels like the first time in minutes.
“Shut up,” I whisper back.
“Your pumpkin bread!” I spout. Anything to change the subject as I awkwardly slide over to the baked goods case, barely avoiding slipping on the whipped cream on the floor.
“Y’all have plans for Thanksgiving?” Hayden asks from behind.
Why does he want to know? Does he want me to…no. No, he doesn’t want that.Stop it, Kenzie!He’s just making small talk, that’s it.
“Dinner with the family, ’bout it,” Landon says, and swings around with Hayden’s drink ready.
“Same.” I snap the word out.
I dare eye contact with Hayden again while Landon takes the bag with the pumpkin bread from me and hands over it and the drink. It’s better than me making a fool of myself even more. It’s too much though, so I look away.
“I hope you both have a great Thanksgiving.” Hayden starts walking backward toward the door. “I got to get home. The fam—”
He slips. There’s a squeak of rubber on wet wood. Then a yelp as he tries to swing himself around. I race around the corner to help, but he’s too far. His hand flies out, grabbing at the nearest chair, but it’s no match for gravity and comes tumbling after him as the back of Hayden’s head smashes against the edge of a table.
Smack!I wince at the unsettling sound of bone crashing against an unforgiving surface. My body freezes in place.
“Hayden!” I yell as he tumbles away from the table and downward.
By the time I’m moving, he’s on the floor. I gulp at the sight of blood dripping over his forehead. Oh my gods! Hayden!
“Is he?” Landon backs up, speaking the question I refuse to even allow into my head.
