SOME SECRETS ARE ROTTEN INSIDE.
ESPECIALLY IF THEY MUST BE KEPT.
Sugar Coated Secrets, an all-new coming of age, dark small town romance from bestselling author Carmen Rosales is now available!
DULCE
Throughout high school, I was invisible, silently hoping Ford Keller, the quintessential bad boy everyone adored, would notice me. When he asked me out to prom at the last minute, I thought my prayers had been answered.
It turned out to be a cruel joke, one that nearly broke me completely.
I smile.
I pretend everything is fine, running my grandmother’s bakery.
I act like I don’t remember him from school, but I remember most of the things they did that fateful night.
In a town with every reason to lie, there is no one I can trust.
Not him.
Not them.
I need to get the hell out of this town, but I can’t, not yet.
To survive, I have no choice but to play their game.
IF HE’LL LET ME GO.
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A flurry of flour dusts the well-worn wooden table. With deft hands, I measure the last of the cocoa powder. The aroma of vanilla fills the kitchen after I place a few drops in the mixing bowl. The door leading to the counter out front swings open, the hinges squeaking. “That hot police officer is asking for you again, Dulce,” Katie singsongs. I pour the flour in. “I’m busy.” Katie started working for me part-time when she moved here from Mooresville after graduating from high school. She’s been trying to set me up on dates ever since. If she only knew my history in this town. She leans over the counter and grabs her apron from the hook on the wall. “I can see that, but you can’t hide back here forever.” “I’m not hiding. We have five special orders for tomorrow, and I have to finish these for today.” She bumps into me playfully. “You could go out there and put him out of his misery and finally say yes. Go out on a date with him. Fuck him.” I almost drop the whisk in my hand. “It’s not like that, Katie.” “You should see the way he looks at you.” With pity. “I didn’t notice.” I try to ignore her, whisking the batter by hand to avoid over mixing the dough. “Has he asked?” “Yes,” I reply, adding whole milk to the mixing bowl. “How many times?” “Eight to be exact.” “Eight times?” she says in surprise. “Well, get out there. It looks like today is number nine.” I drop the whisk, knowing I have to go out there to see Officer Mays. The last thing I want is to turn down the only person who has been there for the past four years. He keeps the town safe and is eye candy for the ladies with his Wayfarers and straight black hair that seems to defy gravity. “Okay, wrap this up for me,” I instruct her, stepping aside. “They have to be in the oven in two hours to be fresh. Oh, and please get the macarons ready for me. They’re on the baking sheet. Third rack.” She picks up the whisk. “Got it, boss.” I wipe my hands on my apron and give her a hug. “Thank you, Katie.” I hope she doesn’t think I’m not grateful for her help. I know she means well, encouraging me to go out and date. But it’s not that simple. “You’re welcome,” she whispers, pulling me close. “If you ever want to talk, you know I’m here. I worry about you, Dulce. You’re always working and taking care of your grandmother.” A pang hits my chest. “I’m just grateful she’s lasted this long.” “That’s because she’s lucky she has a granddaughter who loves her and puts everyone first except herself.” I pull back, trying to hide the sadness in my eyes, knowing the last thing my grandmother and I have is luck. “Oh…” She grabs an invoice and hands it to me. “Here is the pickup order for the cookies. There is a name instead of a company this time. I think it’s a coincidence, but I’ll let you be the judge.” I look at the name on the invoice, and my heart catapults in my throat. “Ford Keller,” I say softly. I haven’t heard that name in a long time, but I could never forget it, even if I tried. “Yeah, I know him,” I say faintly. What I don’t know is why he’s returned.
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