Page 23 of Holiday Wishes and Tentacle Dreams
Smooth, Jake. Real smooth.
“Well, it’s a triumph.” Doren reached across the table and grabbed Jake’s hand. “You should speak with the proprietors of the coffee shop and inquire if they might wish to sell slices.”
The touch warmed Jake’s skin, and the blood rushed to his face. He hoped he wasn’t blushingtoobadly.
“Oh, I couldn’t do that.” Change the damn subject, Jake. You know nothing about pie. “So, do you live in the area?”
Doren’s face went flat for a moment, and their eyes darted back and forth as if they’d been caught in a lie. Which was silly, becauseJakewas the one who was lying.
“Close to here. I, uh, my household includes myself, my six siblings, and my parents.”
Doren’s tone was a little cagey, which was strange, but Jake appreciated they weren’t talking about pastry anymore.
“Six siblings! That’s so many. It must be nice to have such a big family. I only have my grandma.”
Doren was still holding Jake’s hand. It was pleasant, but it went on much longer than a typical hand squeeze. It took effort for his brain to stay online.
“You must love her very much,” Doren replied, kindness shining in their eyes. The openness Jake found there prompted a spreading warmth in his chest, and a relaxation as well, a knot loosening for the first time in a long time.
“She’s the best. She lives in Massachusetts, she swears like a trucker, and she won’t stop talking about her sex life.” Jake smiled. “She’s always been there for me. This beach house is hers.”
“That’s wonderful.” Doren glanced out at the beach, and Jake wondered for a second if he’d said something wrong. “My parents are excellent…people, but we’ve been at odds recently.”
“That’s tough.” Jake wasn’t sure if he should ask why they were arguing, so he didn’t. “You, uh, really like surfing, huh?”
The smile that broke out on Doren’s face was like the sun peeking through the clouds on a dreary day. Jake had asked the right question.
“I adore it!” Doren let go of Jake’s hand and jumped up in excitement, gesticulating. “It’s the perfect pastime. It requires precision and thought, but also speed and abandon.”
“I never spent any time by the ocean before. It’s beautiful. Although I imagine it’s better in the summer. I don’t understand how you can handle being shirtless in the winter. Don’t most surfers wear wetsuits? I know the day that we met, you said you don’t like how they feel, but it’s a scientific miracle you can withstand the cold like you do.”
Doren’s body froze, and Jake cursed inwardly. They’d been having a nice time, and he’d somehow fucked it up.
“No miracle. A simple preference.” Doren’s tone was clipped, and they were clearly uncomfortable.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you?—”
A loud meow sounded by Doren’s feet, and a bundle of gray and white fur hurtled itself into Doren’s arms. They caught it on instinct, and Miranda Priestly snuggled her head into Doren’s bare chest.
“MP really loves you,” Jake said, eyeing the cat with suspicion. “She rarely likes anyone but me. And that’s probably only because I feed her.”
Thankfully, Doren’s body had relaxed with the cat’s cuddle attack. “I enjoy her company as well.”
Kissing the top of the kitten’s head, Doren placed her down carefully on the linoleum floor. “I should be going. I don’t want to take up your day.”
“Oh. Um, okay.” Jake stood, glad that the tension had broken, but not sure what the right next move was as Dorenwent for the door. “Will you come back tomorrow? I’ll make another pie.”
What the hell was wrong with him? Dorothea wouldn’t keep providing pies to continue this baker charade.
Doren stared at Jake for a long moment, as though they were evaluating something. Finally, they smiled.
“Excellent pie, excellent conversation, and an excellent cat. How could I say no?”
With that, they were out the door, and Jake sighed with relief. Except if he were so relieved to be alone again, why was his body humming with excitement at the prospect of the surfer’s return?
Chapter Eight
DOREN