Stranger

Rowan sheepishly set down the cookie and chuckled twice.

"The little cake is just too adorable, I couldn't resist," she admitted.

Jessica lovingly tucked the quilt around Rowan and asked in a hushed tone, "I heard James mention that you two first crossed paths because of cookies."

"Yes!" Rowan confirmed.

Rowan finally managed to sneak the cookie away, stepped into the house, and gently closed the door. Initially, she had intended to assist Jessica with some tasks, but upon scanning the room, it seemed there was nothing needing her help. Consequently, she opted to sit on the edge of the bed and engage in a hushed conversation with her friend.

"At the outset, my love for cookies was so intense that I shamelessly tagged along with him every day when he walked his dog."

Jessica wore a warm smile as she listened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She had the distinct impression of indulging a child proudly sharing their accomplishments. Something was endearing about Rowan's unwarranted se