The Holiday Swap

by Maggie Knox

“I kind of convinced her not to. It makes sense for both of us to just stick to the original plan. Logistically speaking,” Cass said. During her call with Charlie the night before she had realized she wasn’t ready to go back to Starlight Peak. To face Brett; and the monotony of holiday orders; and the, at times, tediousness of small-town life.

So much for not ruining Charlie’s career.

“I love her. She’s a really good friend.” Priya set the magazine on her crossed legs. “And spending time with you this week . . . I mean, I know you two have really different lives, but you’re similar in a lot of ways, too. How hard you both work, for one thing. But sometimes I wonder if Charlie’s as happy here as she could be, you know?” Cass nodded, although to her it seemed as though Charlie was doing exactly what she wanted to be doing. But she realized she didn’t know for sure. Charlie’s life had seemed so perfect on the outside she had never thought to ask.

a pinch of cinnamon to the grounds and a dash of vanilla to the pot once it had brewed,

The only way out is through, Faye had said. She would get through this.

“You were looking a little downtrodden when you came in, but this fixed you right up. It’s like I always say, ‘Time heals all things. If time fails, try cake.’ ”

“It’s hard to take a break,” Charlie said, thinking of Cass and how this was the longest she’d ever been away from the bakery. She wondered if her twin was missing her regular routines in Starlight Peak.

“Cody was your dog before Bonnie?” “Well, I guess he’s my dog still, technically,” Jake replied, capping his water and sticking it back into his pack. “But he lives with my ex. It wouldn’t have been fair to drag him here.” His mouth twisted like he’d eaten something sour, and suddenly Charlie realized what Faye had meant about the “custody” situation. It was about Cody the German shepherd.

The Live.Li stream. All at once, Charlie remembered Walter turning it on to test it out. She did not, however, remember turning it off—although she had closed the laptop this morning and it was now covered with her sister’s haphazard papers.

She tried to sound blasé, but in reality she was freaking out about the possibility that she had livestreamed her argument with Brett. How could she have been so careless and not remembered to turn off Live.Li when she got back from her hike with Jake?

“This sort of thing is beyond your comprehension. All you understand is this small life, and this small town. You think this place is perfect, and what you don’t understand is that it’s possible for people to want more than just a predictable life in a predictable place. You don’t think it’s possible for people to outgrow each other, to maybe even outgrow where they’re from and want more. You just want us to stay here, never change, never be anything except who everyone in Starlight Peak thinks we are. I’m so tired of it! Don’t you understand that? I’m sick and tired of seeing your face every single time I turn around—and I want you to leave me alone.”

“We can be scared together. Deal?”

I’m an accomplished chef with an excellent reputation, and I don’t constantly rely on making other people look bad to get ahead.”

Her sister had told her to come here and keep her job secure, and she had just done the opposite. Because she knew what her sister didn’t: the job had never really been hers.

“No. Miguel, there’s something I have to tell you. I’m not Charlie. I’m Cass.”

“Miguel. I’m fine. I don’t have a concussion because I’m not Charlie. I’m her identical twin sister, Cass. The day Charlie got her concussion and came here to see you and get treated, she also called me for help.” She paused to take a breath. “You’re right that the concussion was serious. Charlie lost her sense of taste and smell, and she didn’t think she could do her job properly. So, she called me. She asked if I would switch places with her until Sweet and Salty wrapped for the season. I came to L.A. and . . . pretended to be her.”

But also, that there was a whole universe out there and Cass didn’t have to stay stuck in one place forever, waiting for her life to begin.

“It’s fine,” Cass snapped. “I’ll deal with Sarah. And the starter. Just like I always do when it comes to this family.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Now it was Charlie’s turn to cross her arms angrily, the twins facing off in front of the case of baked goods. “You couldn’t wait to get out of here, Charlie. But did you ever think about what you were leaving behind? That you left me to figure this all out, to make sure our family’s legacy continued? Did you even think about me at all?”

“You never said anything, Cass! Besides, you were with Brett, and I thought you were happy here. Look, I know we have that mind-meld twin thing, but how was I supposed to know you didn’t want to stay if you didn’t tell me?”

“Someone had to stay, Charlie.” “Says who?” Charlie softened her voice, sitting down across from Cass. “I’m sorry I didn’t check in with you more often. I didn’t realize everything you were going through.” Cass shook her head. “Honestly, I mostly wanted to stay. I do love it here. I’m good at running the bakery. But . . .” Charlie touched her sister’s hands. “But what?”

“How can you be so sure?” Charlie practically shouted. “I overheard Austin talking with Sasha, and she said she was going to tell you after Sweet and Salty wrapped the holiday special. But they had decided before the first episode even aired, apparently.” Cass watched helplessly as Charlie paced the small room. “I’m so, so sorry. I know how important this was to you.”