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“No I love you, Claire I do,” I say, shaking hnuts”

“Haley—”

“And not hnuts on a day like today” I wince asfor my mortification “Especially on a day like today”

“It’s sold”

I shoo her away Like a child, I climb onto the stool, knees on the seat, and peer over the bar Just as I suspected, perched on a platter—like the little gift frohnut with the most perfect pecans I’ve ever seen

The sight alone listens in the sunlight strea I have in a few hours Staring at the pecans, I ales this h I don’t want it to

“Want led because of my inverted position When Claire doesn’t answer, I look up

She’s looking behindout her blue apron The flirty smile on her lips clearly isn’t for me

“Hey,” I say in an attempt to draw her attention back my way “Give it to me”

“If you insist”

I freeze

The voice, all gravelly and deep, isn’t Claire’s And unless she has becone that sends chills racing down a-pant-covered behind—a behind that’s up in the air

Oh, crap

My body teeter-totters over the bar as I try to find the internal switch from awe to action

A s passes down my throat as I survey the situation from my precarious position Claire’s cheeks are tinted pink as she drops her gaze to le that’s hidden by a twist of her lips tells ht to be true: whoever is behind hting up her face

Lowering aze focused on the oversize wooden fork adorning the wall behind Claire’s bright-red curls I wonder how closeher tresses

“I’ll take the doughnut to go, please,” I say with a gulp

“And I’ll have mine here”

His voice must be inches behind me, and the proxi down

The richness of his scent blends with the honeyed twang of his voice, and I consider ill happen if I dissolve into the vinyl barstool It’s too early in the day for huers

Can life come with a “Redo” button already?

I grabdeep, as if the aforeh mountains of candy wrappers and receipts only reht now, but it’s better than looking at the guy who just saw a pants I own With the brightest pink panties I have in my closet