Can't Love Christmas

Twenty Six

Ash hadn't heard anything from Rowan since leaving his cabin two days prior. She wouldn't have bothered texting him, but she had a bit of a problem.

Ash: 

you're probably busy tonight aren't you?

The Grinch: 

yeah... with you.

are we still on?

Her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Cinders, what's going on? Why do you think I had other plans?"

"I know we are supposed to bake tonight, but my oven is on the fritz."

"That sucks. But it doesn't explain why you thought I would have other plans though."

"Uh, well, I just thought if you had a better offer from someone else you might be doing that instead."

His deep laugh rumbled in her ear. "No, no better offers. Just come over and we'll bake here instead."

"I don't want to interrupt you if you've got someone over."

"Got someone over? What are you talking about?" Ash didn't know how to respond, but Rowan cut to the chase. "Actually, come to the bar and we'll use the kitchen there. It's got a lot more space than my place too."

"Oh, no Rowan, I couldn't do that. Am I even allowed to do that?"

"Yeah, we aren't selling, and I'll be there to make sure you don't do anything against the health code. It's pretty quiet tonight. Mandy mentioned wanting to leave early but I said no because of our plans. This way she can go, and Brittany and I will be here."

Ash was quiet at the mention of Brittany. "I don't want to intrude on you two."

"Cinders, please come. I want you to come."

Ash bit her lip. It could be awkward to be there with them together, but her oven really wasn't going to fly for what she had in mind. "Alright. I'll be there."

"Awesome. You can come over anytime."

"Okay. See you later." She hung up the phone, and started to gather her ingredients and recipes.

__

Ash pulled into a parking spot near the pub and loaded her arms with the bags of ingredients. As she reached the door to the pub, she realized her mistake. She could not open the door with her arms as full as they were.

She did the only thing she could think of that wouldn't result in groceries on the ground. She kicked the door three times. She waited for a full minute before she repeated the action. The door opened and a disgruntled looking Rowan threw open the door.

"What are you doing, Cinders?"

She lifted the bags as high as she could. "My hands were full."

"Why didn't you take two trips, or come in and ask for help? Rather than trying to kick down my door. Grandad made this door himself, and you're treating it like a flat tire!"

"Oh shit. I'm sorry Rowan."

"It's not me you have to apologize to." He nodded at the door.

Ash solemnly looked at the door. "I'm sorry, old door."

Rowan's eyes widened before he burst into laughter. "Oh my god, get in here you weirdo. You just apologized to an inanimate object."

"I'm not the one who suggested it." She grumbled as she stepped through the door.