Page 21 of Cupcake of the Month (Just Add Peaches #2)

Jordan swirled her mason jar of Belle’s whiskey as she sat on the plush, brown sofa in the Fountenoy Hall library during the drinks hour. Wendy sat next to her, holding the gold throw pillow, listening while Jordan told her of Josh’s earlier disappearing act.

Inside, her gut felt ripped apart. Guess he didn’t want to limit his menu choices, regardless of what he had said. She hadn’t been worth it eight years ago, and she wasn’t worth it now.

That was something she should’ve realized that afternoon when he’d reluctantly agreed to her terms of being together. But how could he have kissed her like that if it hadn’t meant anything?

“He literally said there was a thing he had to do? That’s the lamest excuse ever.

” Wendy curled her legs under her on the oversized chair.

A creaking sounded from the lobby and she cocked her head, but none of the guests appeared to take advantage of their complimentary glass of Belle’s whiskey.

The honeymooning couple hadn’t ventured downstairs since they checked in earlier that day, and the guests taking a Georgia historical tour had all gone to bed soon after dinner.

“I know, right?” The roar of Josh’s car had vibrated the stables’ windows and Jordan had followed the trail of dust as he left Fountenoy Hall.

Once it disappeared, she had slumped on her bed, holding onto her heart to keep it in one piece.

She took a healthy swallow of the liquid, thankful for the water mixed in. Her throat burned enough as it was.

“Are you okay, honey?” Wendy asked.

“Yeah. I knew going in that it didn’t mean anything.”

“He’s such an ass.” A fierce frown crossed Wendy’s face, and one finger tapped against her mason jar in steady beats.

With all of Jordan’s experience with reading people during interviews, with helping vice presidents and upper management figure out how to best serve their companies, it wasn’t hard for her to guess what her friend was contemplating.

“Firing someone for not dating your friend is a great way to open yourself up to a lawsuit.”

Wendy jerked her head up. “What?”

“I love you for thinking of me, but you can’t fire him for a being a dick to me. Josh is good in the kitchen, Wendy. Really good. And he fits in well with you and Brandi and Eulalee. And right now, that’s the talent you need until your aunt comes home.”

Wendy fiddled with her drink. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” Jordan tucked her feet up on the sofa.

She was done thinking about it. Maybe. Yes.

For now. “Let’s stop talking about my love life and start talking about my business life.

Tell me that you’re able to go to the hyped-up soiree Mrs. McGraw is having for me tomorrow night.

Lana will be there, but having more than one friendly face will be a huge comfort. ”

“Oh, hush. You’ll be great with or without us, but don’t worry.

Brandi, Rob, and I are all going. Rob finished his book edits yesterday, so his schedule is all clear.

All the guests checking in tomorrow have the code to get in and their room assignments.

They’ll get a discount on their final bill for the inconvenience.

” Her mouth gave a little twist. “We thought about asking Anthon to hang out after his shift just in case. That man can be creative in the kitchen, but forcing our guests to be around him is worse than having them kiss a cottonmouth.”

Jordan mentally searched her limited snake knowledge base. It was hard when all the creatures had Josh’s face. “That’s bad, right?”

“Yup.” Wendy leaned back in her chair. “Blake will be joining us as well.”

Brandi’s new man. “Have you met him yet?”

Her friend shrugged. “He’s nice, but he’s not Sebastien.”

“We’ll have to have him over later so I can grill him about his intentions.”

“Ah, yes.” Wendy raised her glass in a toast. “To the infamous Shoenover test of any potential boyfriend.”

“I haven’t been wrong once.” Except with herself. “It worked for Rob, didn’t it? I take full credit for your growing relationship.”

“And I thank you for it.” Wendy toasted her with her whiskey.

“Josh will be there.” Jordan picked at the seams on the cushion. “Apparently Mrs. McGraw really likes Barb’s food.”

“I had her samples at Plates of Macon. She definitely ratcheted up to the top of the potential caterers list.” Wendy took a drink. “How are you going to handle it?”

“By eating all the meatballs available.”

Wendy stuck out her tongue. “I mean with Josh.”

“I guess it will depend on him.” Jordan shrugged and swirled the whiskey around in her glass. “Am I deluded in thinking he’s pushing me away for my own benefit, and not his? I mean, Wendy, you don’t kiss like that and then walk away.”

Wendy raised an eyebrow. “If Brandi was saying this to you, what would you tell her?”

“ Oy . You know what I’d say.” Jordan ran her fingers over her scalp, easing the gathering tension. “Kick him and his lying lips to the curb.”

“Yeah. But here’s the thing.”

Jordan perked up. “There’s a thing? I like things. Please, go on. Tell me the thing.”

“He watches you, Jordan. Not in a creepy stalker way, but in a heart-full-of-wanting way.” Wendy grinned. “The way that Rob looks at me. Only Josh does it when your attention is somewhere else. And he thinks about you when you’re not there.”

“How do you know that?”

“Rosh Hashanah is coming up, right?”

“Yes.”

“Happy New Year.” Wendy tilted back her jar. “Josh wanted to make sure we had a supply of apples and honey to serve you.”

Jordan let loose a grunt of frustration and slapped her hand against the arm of the sofa. “Then why is he making this so damn difficult?”

“I guess that’s for you to decide. And to decide if it’s worth it.”

She leaned back and rubbed at her temples. “Well, hell, he’s only here for a couple more weeks anyway. What’s a little personal misery between now and then?”

“Oh, and so you know – he asked if he could spend the night after your party tomorrow. It’s closer to here than his home, and he has a lot of prep to do for the anniversary lunch the next day. With all the family for the couple coming in, the only room we have available is the one in the stables.”

“That’s fine. And hey, at least I have a warning this time.” Jordan dismissed Wendy’s concern with a wave of her hand. “Weren’t we supposed to stop talking about my love life? Surely there has to be something else going on.”

“We have interviews set up for the events coordinator position.” Wendy took out her phone and read the candidates’ experience out loud.

“Sounds like a good group of candidates,” Jordan said. “I’m proud of you, giving up this control.”

“Yeah, we’ll see how that works out.” She picked up the whiskey from the side table and held it out to Jordan.

Jordan shook her head and drained the remaining swallow from her jar. Wendy rose and put the orange bottle in the liquor cabinet. “I’m going to check the kitchen and then head upstairs,” she said. “You good down here?”

“Yeah, I’m off to bed, too. See you in the morning.”

She shuffled back to the stables, tapping her phone. It buzzed against her finger.

At first she thought she accidentally pressed something, but it was a text. From Josh.

She glared as if he was standing in front of her, then put her phone down, brushed her teeth, and got ready for bed. Only then did she open his message. A groveling, flowing apology would be nice.

Goodnight, Jay.

He did this, she realized. These texts. They’d spent so much more time talking with their fingers than they did in person.

Despite Josh’s jerk move, his touch still echoed across her body. It was time to embrace the fire and burn whatever he thought was keeping them apart. Only then would she be truly satisfied, even if it really did mean not being with him. Did you have fun at your lame excuse tonight?

He responded almost immediately. Sorry. Didn’t want to bore you with the details.

Of course he didn’t. Maybe I wanted to be bored.

A small pause before he typed. It wasn’t about you.

You’re going to give me a complex. I’d like it to be about me for once. Doesn’t even have to be a big thing.

She pictured him lounging on his bed in a pair of boxers, his hair wet from having showered.

See you tomorrow, Jay.

Mmmmhmmm. She’d see what tomorrow would bring.

When Jordan woke the next morning, she lay in bed, tapping her fingers on her blanket. All right. It was a normal day, like any other normal day.

She slid on a pair of jeans and a silk t-shirt, then pulled her hair through the back of a ballcap. Girl next door. Her everyday style. Nothing special.

Josh glanced up from his mixing bowl when she walked in through the kitchen door. Yearning flashed behind his blue eyes, but he banked it with a cool look. Hmmmm.

Duarte had already delivered carrots and colorful potatoes to the kitchen island. The coffee beckoned, so she poured herself a cup. Josh followed her every move like a tangible caress, his face a mixture of wariness and longing. He wasn’t ignoring her like she feared he might.

“Want one?”

He jerked his head to the mug on the counter. She took a sip, keeping the eye contact going.

Finally he let out a breath and went back to the mixing bowl. She wandered over and leaned against him to peer at the yellow batter.

“Pancakes?”

“Waffles.” His voice had a rough, gravely quality to it, like he hadn’t spoken all morning. She stayed close while he continued stirring, the muscles in his arm flexing with each movement. The oven timer beeped, and Josh turned it off, then got a spoon out of the drawer.

Anthon entered the kitchen from the dining room and paused inside the swinging doors, hands at his hips. He surveyed the kitchen like it was his personal domain.

Josh dipped the spoon in the sauce and gave a half-nod of approval.

The sound of a throat clearing tore Jordan’s attention away from him and back to Anthon.

“Need some water?” Josh asked.