Christmas Wishes

She didn’t feel like talking about him tonight. She didn’t feel like talking about him, ever. “Can we maybe not talk about him?”

“I’m just saying, Molly, after he left town... I don’t know. I was worried you weren’t ever going to open yourself up again,” Hannah said softly. “So I’m happy to see you like this.”

Molly rolled her eyes and she laid her head back against the couch.

Even though she knew Hannah wanted the best for her, it was still aggravating to have to consider you-know-who for more than five seconds of her time.

But now, you-know-who, Roger Freeman, was all that Molly could think about.

He’d been her college sweetheart, the man she’d fantasized about marrying after graduation, with Hannah as her Maid of Honor and the entire town invited to the ceremony. She thought they were happy.

However, Roger had different plans.

Plans that included moving to Los Angeles and never returning her calls. He'd called it a long distance relationship. When she came to LA for a surprise visit and met his model girlfriend at his place, she called it cheating. Then she called it over.

Molly would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit that her history with Roger made her a bit skeptical when it came to romance. After all, she thought she’d known Roger, inside and out, and he turned out to be the exact kind of person that she could never see herself with in a million years.

She’d thought that Roger was kind, sweet and considerate, but really, he was cruel, egotistical and selfish. She didn't know love at all.

She groaned, bringing her palms to her face, her body feeling like it was sinking into the couch with the realization.

Is that why she’d been so judgmental when it came to Nicholas Kerstman?

Was she trying to protect herself from another Roger Freeman?

Even though Nicholas appeared to wear who he was on his shirtsleeves, Molly still doubted her own judge of character. She'd been wrong before.

“Nicholas isn’t anything like Roger,” Hannah suggested to Molly, leaning her head against Molly’s shoulder. “If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re way off.”

“Hmm. I don’t know, Hannah. They both hate small towns, they both love big cities, they both have fancy jobs.” Molly sighed and shrunk a little lower. “Am I just going to keep falling for the same type of guy? Over and over and over again?”

“Falling for him?” Hannah repeated. Her eyes went wide as she grinned at Molly. “Holy Canoli. You’re actually admitting it? You like Nicholas Kerstman?”

“Yes, but—”

“If all ifs and buts were candy and nuts...” Hannah said. “I think it's great.”

“I think it's stupid and I should have someone check my brain,” Molly replied. “I think I'm going nuts.”

“That reminds me, I have to roast like a billion chestnuts tomorrow,” Hannah said absent-mindedly.

“How's the BakeTown thing going?” Molly asked, suddenly feeling a little guilty. She hadn't thought of her friend at all today. She'd been too busy with Nicholas.

“Good?” Hannah replied with a shrug. “I think I’ve finally narrowed down my recipe list for BakeTown.”

“That's great. I know you're going to make something delicious,” Molly assured her. “Everything you make is good.”

“Thanks.” Hannah sighed. “I just wish I had something special. Something different and unique. Something no one makes.”

“You ever heard of Buche de Noel?” Molly asked, an idea popping into her head.

“Yeah. It’s one of my favorites. It's not right for the competition, though. I already have a cake planned,” Hannah answered Molly’s inquiry seriously, and then waggled her eyebrows at Molly. “And why do you ask, Molly Carmichael? Is that one of Nicholas’ favorite cakes? Were you thinking about making him one?”

Molly's face heated.

“Yes? No? I don’t know,” Molly whined. She let her face fall into her hands, unable to hide her perplexed state.

“You know, it's not a bad idea. The fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach,” Hannah said, patting Molly on the back. “But maybe wait until after the BakeTown thing so I can actually help you with it? No need to burn down your apartment in an effort to impress your crush.”