Page 28 of Cupcake of the Month
It all made perfect, logical sense. Jordan brought up the list of participating vendors from the Plates of Macon website, curious to see where Barb’s Catering would be stationed. The thought of running into Josh brought flames to her lower belly that competed with a desire to ignore him. He was so different now. The charm and easy smile had been replaced by silence and observation, like he was watching the world instead of living in it, but she had caught glimpses of the old him. It made her curious.
They parked in the crowded lot next to the convention center and made their way inside. Jordan took a deep breath, inhaling smells from chocolate to beef to roasted vegetables as different caterers and restaurant owners displayed their talents for the annual event. Streams of purple and gold decorated the space, and rock music provided by a local radio station added a steady stream of noise in the background.
Rob handed them business cards with Fountenoy Hall’s peach logo on one side and contact information on the other.
“If you find a worthy place that caters, take a card and leave one of ours,” Wendy said. “We’ll start compiling information so the special events coordinator can hit the ground running.” She linked arms with Rob and strolled off in one direction. Brandi and Jordan took the other.
It only took two aisles before she spotted the handsome man with a distinct lack of mustard yellow. Josh wore a sharp white dress shirt and crisp black apron tied around his neck. And damn if the dark color didn’t make his blue eyes and graceful body even more sexy.
Brandi tugged on her arm. “Hey, there’s—”
“Ooh, look at this.” Jordan guided her friend to the closestbooth, Indian Mughal. The scents of coriander and turmeric surrounded them as she took a sample of vegetables in a reddish orange sauce.
The man at the booth approached them as Brandi ate a sample from a different plate, then sucked in a breath and fanned her mouth with her hand. “Oh, crumbs. It’s spicy. Very spicy. I need some…”
The man at the booth gave her a small piece of naan. She shoved it in her mouth and chewed slowly, her face flushing. When she swallowed, he handed her another one.
“My apologies.” He smiled, his dark brown eyes crinkling at the corners. His thick hair was dark and wavy, and he wore a long, white coat over tight-fitting pants. “We usually have a placard in front of the samples, but I think it fell down. I’ll make another one.”
“No worries,” Brandi gulped.
“Allow me to offer you a milder dish.” There was interest in his smile this time, and Brandi gave her hair a quick toss. Jordan hid her grin and left her friend to her flirting, heading back the way they’d come. She couldn’t handle any more Josh today.
Her phone vibrated in her purse, and she took it out. It was a text from one of her twin brothers, Micah.
Hey, sis. Checking in. You need anything?
It was both sweet and exasperating when her family made sure she was fine, with subtle questions regarding how she was living her life, their many, many dollars and her dwindling savings account.
Good timing, she texted back.This guy came by the Inn with a once in a lifetime investment opportunity. Seems solid, but my flow has been tied up lately. Help me out?
She waited while her message was delivered and read, then watched the dots appear and disappear.
Which friend is this?
“Jordan!”
She turned when she heard her name, and waved at Lana.Just kidding. I don’t need anything. <3
Her friend said something to the gorgeous man by her side, then approached and gave Jordan a hug. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Yeah, I’m here with Wendy and Brandi.”
“Come meet Cress.” Lana linked her arm through Jordan’s and tugged her along. “I never thought it would happen, but I’ve traded in my cravings for cupcakes for a regular stud-muffin.”
“Really.” Jordan studied him as they approached, eager to learn what had made Lana give up cupcakes. Cress wore a maroon shirt and tie, and his warm brown eyes followed their progress down the aisle. Correction: followed Lana’s progress. “Where did you guys meet?”
“He’s one of the doctors in my sales area.” She glowed and held out her hand to him. “He knows everything about me and loves me anyway.”
He linked their fingers together and kissed the back of Lana’s hand. Envy pricked at Jordan’s skin. That was all anyone wanted. Should be simple to find, right?
They moseyed to the next few booths, chatting with her friend and Cress until parting at the end of the row. A roasted corn on the cob, some flavored water, and several herbed-cheese crostini later, she realized an entire hour had passed without her once thinking about Mrs. McGraw.
“Chicken meatball?”
A tray of deliciousness swept under her nose, and she cursed her feet for ambling to Barb’s booth on their own. Josh’s dark hair brushed the top of his crisp white collar and his blue eyes popped bluer against the black apron. Crinkles formed around his eyes. Funny that she hadn’t noticed them earlier. They were close to the same height when she wore kitten heels.
“Seasoned with Italian spices and cheese, so I’m not sure how this fits with your kosherness.”
