Page 101 of Cupcake of the Month
“Oh, and brings cupcakes,” Brandi added.
Jordan flinched at the inadvertent reference and dread filled her stomach. Would she have to spend the night watching a batch of bakers trying to get Josh into their ovens?
***
Rows and rows of books lined the dark wood shelves in Red’s Pages. Light in the space was dimmed, just enough to create a cozy atmosphere without causing accidental crashes into chairs or tables.
Rob and Wendy stood in the small area at the front door, the former rubbing his hands together and the latter carrying her tablet. “If you have the table right here,” Wendy was saying, “no one will be able to get inside.”
“So we should move it.”
“Yes. We should move it.” Wendy tucked her tablet under her arm and grabbed one end while Rob took the other.
The bookstore’s owner cleared her throat. “Usually authorsput the table there.” Toni pointed to a small open space between two sets of shelves.
“Perfect.” Wendy led the way, leaving Jordan alone again. What to do now? Seek out Josh and demand he feed her bacon? Accidentally run into him and whatever dish Barb had him serving? Sneak behind a row of bookshelves and pretend she wasn’t there?
Some things never changed.
“Excuse me.” A voice next to Jordan interrupted her decision-making process. “Are you Jordan Shoenover?”
“It depends.” Jordan turned to see a man wearing the catering outfit of black pants, a white top, and a black bowtie.
He handed her a plate with a frosted cupcake. “This is for you. It’s an apple cider cupcake with cinnamon vanilla frosting. January’s flavor.” He gave her a quick bow, then headed to the back of the store.
Wendy came back, her tablet tucked under her arm. “I lost my stylus somewhere. Can you let me know if you see it? And what is that glorious concoction in your hands?”
“Here.” She handed it over. “Why did the waitstaff give this to me?”
“What is it? It looks amazing.” Wendy took a deep breath. “Smells amazing.”
“You didn’t order them?”
“No, and I’m regretting that decision. That frosting. Though I don’t remember full-sized cupcakes being on Barb’s dessert menu.”
Well, then, why did Jordan get it? She took the plate from her friend. “I’ll put it down somewhere.”
“Not there!” Wendy blocked her approach to the table better than a catcher stopping a runner from sliding home. “That’s where we’re displaying the books. How about by the cash register?”
Jordan passed Brandi carrying a box of alcohol as she made her way to the customer service counter. Another woman approached her, plate held out. “Caramel macchiato cupcake with a vanilla chai frosting. February’s flavor.”
Jordan took the plate. “Thank you. But why—”
The woman left without letting Jordan finish.
March’s peanut butter cupcake arrived next, followed by April’s cream cookie. A warm glow settled over her.
She was ready for the next one. The bacon chocolate with maple bacon frosting made her laugh, bringing back memories of when she had seen Josh at the rec center fundraiser. By this time, Wendy, Brandi, Sebastien and Rob were watching the show, as was Toni and a handful of bookstore employees. Each held a plate with a cupcake since Jordan had run out of hands.
Her breath caught when Josh appeared carrying the last one, and her body slaked its hunger at the first sight of him in weeks.
“Hi.” Never let it be said she wasn’t a brilliant conversationalist.
“Hey, Jay.” His blue eyes melted as they raked over her body, a quick smile raising his lips and making him seem more relaxed than she’d ever seen him.
She wasn’t prepared for the rush that filled her soul, the electricity that burned her skin, the catch in her throat when she gazed at him. Even after all this time, her body yearned for his caress, for his breath.
For him.
