Page 2 of Cupcake of the Month
“You know her?” Jordan asked.
The state congresswoman glided through the people gathering to get her attention. Despite the mob, she was easy to follow with that hair.
“I see her at parties and exchange niceties,” Lana said. “I like her. She’s exactly the face she puts on the campaign trail.”
Mrs. McGraw passed by, shaking hands and kissing air with the other guests. After a few moments, she held up her hands. “I appreciate the welcome, folks,” she said, her voice a deep Southern drawl. “But tonight I’m a mother, not a politician. We’re here to fill those backpacks for students who can’t afford a simple notebook and for the deserving teachers of this great state of Georgia who use their own money to pay for classroom supplies. So draw out those checkbooks!”
Chatter built among the crowd, and Mrs. McGraw drew away from the center of it.
“Bacon-wrapped dates?”
The rich voice spoke from over Jordan’s shoulder and stirred up memories of that night.Oy vey. She’d been following the congresswoman and hadn’t seen Josh reemerge. His shiny dress shoes hadn’t even squeaked on the gymnasium-style floor.
She shored up the nerve to be face-to-face with him and was immediately swept into the same magnetism she experienced eight years earlier. He was beautifully made, blessed with dark, curling hair and a long, lean body. His blue eyes, once so lovely and vibrant, were flat and cool.
Was that special just for her, or did he regard everyone with that emotionless look? She schooled her features into the sameneutral expression, belying her pounding heart and—the hell?—the thin sheen of sweat on her palms. “No, thank you. I keep kosher.”
He eyed the shrimp next to her wine glass.
She pushed it away. “Now. I keep kosher now.”
“Okay,” Josh said.
“I’ll take one.” Lana put her hand on his arm and tugged him closer, giving Jordan the chance to wipe her hands on the hanging tablecloth. Lana’s voice dropped about three octaves. “I’ll eat anything. Pick one for me.”
“They’re all the same,” Josh said.
“I’m sure there are some differences.”
His full lips pressed into a line before he pointed to one. “This one, ma’am.”
Lana picked up the selected morsel. “Really, Josh, after all the time we’ve spent together? You don’t have to be so formal with me.”
Jordan drained her glass and motioned to a passing server for another one.
“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes warmed with a touch of humor, and Lana rewarded him with her tinkling laugh.
Jordan didn’t blame Josh for his interest in Lana. Her friend was a radiant beacon to any male, and it wasn’t like he owed Jordan anything. Except maybe a few answers.
“Will I see you later?” Lana’s voice became husky.
“I’ll have salmon croquettes in about an hour. Kosher,” he said with a nod at Jordan. “Though the dill sauce is dairy, so it depends on what else you’ve had tonight.”
Would he just go away? “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He moved to the next group of people.
“And that, my friend, is my pre-heated oven going off,” Lana said. “I do believe my cupcake will be ready by the end of the night.”
Jordan pushed the shrimp cup away and resolutely ignored another vibration. “How does it work? You give him your phone number on a napkin, and he texts you when he’s done working?”
“You have to be more subtle than that.” Lana tapped a manicured fingernail against her lip. “First, you have to make sure they want in on the game. Unwanted stalking is a good way to get yourself arrested. Then you walk out when he’s leaving or if you see him on his way to get more food. You can even go into the kitchen if you really want to call dibs.”
Sounded like a complicated rulebook.
“Barb’s Catering is supremely popular around Macon, and not just because of her amazing food.” Lana sized up Josh and licked her bottom lip. “You should try a newer hire to avoid being devoured by those who’ve been at this game for a while.”
“So everyone knows about this.” Maybe Jordan should go after him, see what he’d do. Not that she’d actually let him into her oven again.
