Page 7 of Just One Spark

I should be good at that.My life was a series of bumps in the road and unexpected turns.Instead, I preferred routine and quiet.I didn't like anything that interrupted my life and threw me off balance.Rowan was proving to be a wrecking ball."You know, I was going to sell hot chocolate tonight and then go home to sleep.I didn't plan on dancing or carriage rides."

Rowan grinned."You have to stick with me if you want something unexpected."

"I'm not a fan of the unexpected," I said before I could stop myself.

He glanced over at me."I really appreciate you going along with this.I'm happy to return the favor."

I sighed heavily."If I ever need a fake fiancé, I'll know who to call."

"I meant if you need anything, anything at all, I'll do my best to give it to you."

Why did his words hit somewhere deep inside me?I tended to go it alone and not ask for help.I didn’t like to rely on anyone.My therapist would tell me it had something to do with my father.But I wasn't going to tell Rowan that."It's fine."

He gave me a look like he knew my response was a cop-out, but thankfully, he didn't push any harder.

We'd reached the first carriage in line, and he set our things inside before helping me into the seat.Once we were settled, he put the heavy throw over our laps and poured the hot cocoa into two cups with lids.

I accepted the hot cocoa, eager to have something to do with my hands.I wasn't sure what an engaged couple was expected to do on a carriage ride.Hold hands?Kiss?Probably talk about our future.

I couldn't believe that Rowan had gotten me into this situation.I didn't want to share my life with him, and I didn't want to pretend that I was in love with him.It was an impossible situation, but I'd have to get used to it.

I had to endure the holiday season with Rowan Hart.

"

3

Rowan

The carriage rocked from side to side as the driver guided the horses from the paved road onto the dirt path.Earlier in the week, we'd hung lights on the tree branches to make the carriage rides more romantic.I hadn't realized that I'd be experiencing it for myself.

When we first got inside, Hattie had been quiet and stiff.I got the impression that she was uncomfortable to be close to me after so many years.I didn't know who she was anymore.I'd heard rumors over the years that her father had a drinking problem before he died.But I wasn't close enough to Hattie to offer her support.

This was my chance to rekindle our friendship and find out what had been going on in her life since we drifted apart.But I had a feeling she didn't want to let me in.I wanted to get back to where we used to be.When we'd talked about everything: homework, friends, and family situations.When everything was easy.

But I knew if I pushed her, she'd refuse to play along.She'd bolt, and then where would I be?In a worse situation, where I was a jilted fiancé trying to open a brewery.I didn't need that kind of disruption in my life.

So it was important for me to play this smart.I'd already manipulated her into playing the part of my fiancée.I needed to be patient.She was doing me a favor and had the right to back out.

I'd bide my time, taking advantage of this arrangement I'd unwittingly thrown us into.I opened the tin of cookies and presented them to her.

A small smile played on her lips as she perused the cookies."I thought it would be fun to offer these with the drinks."

"They were under the table."

Her gaze flicked away."I didn't think anyone would buy them.I'm not a baker like Reina."

The cookie was firm on the outside but soft on the inside, and the spices exploded in my mouth.I chewed and swallowed, chasing the cookies with hot cocoa."These are better than my mom's.Don't tell her."

She smiled."Don't worry.I won't."

We ate cookies and sipped our hot chocolate as the carriage proceeded down the path.The lights made the entire ride feel like a dream.

I'd wondered for years why Hattie had pushed me away, and I couldn't believe she was sitting next to me now.

I never would have thought to do something as drastic as concocting a story to get close to her, but it had worked.I just wondered how long she'd go through with it.She promised me four to six weeks, just long enough to get through the holiday season and maybe the grand opening of my brewery.I wouldn't hold her to her promise, even if I wanted her to keep it.

"Opening the brewery is a big deal."