Page 2 of Ardent Desires

Jenna raises an imaginary glass. “To new beginnings. And to you kicking ass in New York.”

I grab the remote, turning on some music, and the two of us dance around the living room like we used to when we were kids. It feels good, this carefree energy. For once, I’m not thinking about what could go wrong. It’s all about what’s ahead.

After a few minutes, we collapse back onto the couch, breathless and laughing. Jenna’s head drops onto my shoulder. “You know, you’re gonna miss me like crazy when you’re off in the big city, right?”

“I’ll miss you more,” I say, nudging her with my elbow. “But you’ll have the bakery to keep you busy. And I’ll be back all the time.”

“Damn straight you will,” she says, sitting up. “Who else is gonna eat all the cupcakes we can’t sell?”

We both laugh, but there’s a hint of seriousness underneath. Jenna’s put everything into this bakery, and I’m so proud of her for making it happen. But I know it hasn’t been easy, especially with us living in this tiny apartment and scraping together every penny. The bakery’s been a dream since we were teenagers, baking cookies in her mom’s kitchen, and now it’s finally happening.

“Speaking of the bakery,” I say, changing the subject. “When’s the grand opening again?”

“Three weeks from today.” Jenna’s eyes light up. “And you better be there, job in New York or not. I’m not doing this without you.”

I give her a mock salute. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The sun’s setting outside, casting a soft orange glow over the apartment. It’s small, yeah, and maybe a little rundown, but it’s home. And now everything’s about to change. A new job. A new city. It’s all so overwhelming, but in the best possible way.

“You nervous?” Jenna asks, pulling her knees up to her chest again. “About, you know, everything?”

“Hell yeah, I’m nervous,” I admit. “I’ve never even been to New York. And now I’m supposed to work at Blackwood Enterprises like it’s no big deal?”

“You’ll be fine,” she says, her voice soft but sure. “You always are. Plus, you’re, like, the smartest person I know.”

“Yeah, but have youseenthe people in New York? They’re like models. I’m gonna look like an idiot.”

Jenna rolls her eyes. “Please. You’re gorgeous, and you know it. You’re gonna walk in there and own it.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You think?”

“Iknow,” she says with a grin. “And if they don’t realize how amazing you are right away, I’ll come to New York and kick their asses myself.”

I chuckle. “Deal.”

We sit in silence for a while, just soaking it all in. This moment feels big, like the start of something neither of us can fully grasp yet. Jenna’s right—I’m nervous as hell. But there’s also excitement bubbling underneath it all. The thought of getting out of Westport, starting fresh in a city like New York, is thrilling. And terrifying.

“You’re gonna do great things,” Jenna says suddenly, her voice quiet but certain. “I just know it.”

I glance over at her, and for a second, I’m choked up. She’s been there for me through everything—the good, the bad, the ugly. And now, even though things are about to change, I know she’ll always be in my corner.

“Thanks, Jenna,” I say, my voice a little shaky. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She shrugs like it’s no big deal, but I can see the emotion in her eyes. “You won’t have to find out. You’re stuck with me.”

“Good.”

We spend the rest of the evening making plans, talking about the bakery and the job, and how we’re going to make it all work. It’s easy, the way we fall into these conversations like we’ve been doing it forever. And maybe we have. Jenna and I have been through so much together, and now we’re both on the brink of something new.

As the night gets darker, I can’t help but think about my mom. She would’ve been proud. She always believed I’d do something big, something important. I wish she were here to see this, to celebrate with me. But in a way, she’s always with me. Every step of the way.

“Tomorrow,” I say, glancing over at Jenna. “Let’s go celebrate.”

She grins. “Damn right. I’ll buy the champagne. We’ll toast to you becoming a New York City badass.”

“And to your bakery taking over the world.”

We clink imaginary glasses again, laughing, but deep down, I know we’re both serious. We’re both about to take on the world, in our own ways. And no matter what happens, we’ll do it together.

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