Page 67 of Fall Fake-Out

There’s a brief hesitation, but then Sadie smiles. “I mean, I’d love to make the cake for your wedding. It’s going to be a huge event.”

Landrie bounces up and down, clapping. “Yay!”

There’s another glance over Sadie’s shoulder. “But we probably shouldn’t talk about it here.”

“No, I totally get that. I’ll text you the picture of the cake, and then we can discuss details later.”

The bell above the door dings again, and a middle-aged woman I don’t recognize walks in.

My mom immediately turns to her with a smile. “Well, hello. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

The woman gives my mom a side hug. “I know. I’ve missed having you on Main Street at the dental office these last few weeks since ownership has been changing.”

“Next week.” My mom nods. “I’ll be back at work, and we can go out to lunch again.”

The woman looks at Landrie and me. “What are you guys out doing?”

“Just wedding planning stuff.”

She grabs Landrie’s hand. “I am so excited for the wedding. I just know it’s going to be the most beautiful and elegant reception Autumn Ridge has ever seen.”

Landrie smiles. “We’re working hard to make sure it is.”

The woman’s eyes drift back to me, alerting my mom that she hasn’t introduced us.

“This is my oldest daughter, Ari. Ari, this is Whitney Wilkins. She’s the office manager over at the Dust & Timber and my lunch buddy.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re the new high school English teacher, right?”

My mom answers for me. “Yes, and she’s doing such an amazing job over there. Autumn Ridge High is so lucky to have Ari as a teacher.”

Whitney nods. “I actually recognize you. I saw a video of you and Wade at the football game.”

My fame precedes me.

“Bees!” My mother immediately jumps in to save her reputation—not mine. “Don’t believe everything you see online. They were getting attacked by bees. That’s all.”

Whitney’s eyes widen. “Oh, how terrifying.”

“We actually wanted to talk to you about getting some wood to make an arbor for Landrie and Jaxon to stand under for the ceremony.” The way my mom can effortlessly change a subject is an art form that should be studied.

Their conversation moves to strictly wedding stuff, so I turn back to the dessert options at the counter. I’d forgotten Sadie was still standing there.

“Bees?” She smiles. “Is that really what happened? I never know with Wade if he’s telling the truth.”

A slight blush creeps up my cheeks. “Yes, it was all very innocent and accidental, but nobody believes me.”

“Well, people always assume the worst about my brother.”

“And about me, so we were doomed from the start, no matter what.”

Sadie laughs.

“Hey, speaking of Wade”—my eyes drop to the glass case—“he had some maple cream puffs the other day that looked incredible, but I don’t see them. Are you guys all out?”

Her expression twists into a guilty smile. “We don’t actually sell those here.”