Page 51 of Cupcake of the Month
She finally joined her friends and Brandi’s date, greeting other party attendees along the way.
“You are stunning,” Wendy said.
“Well, I should after all the attention you guys showered on me,” Jordan laughed.
Brandi raised her elbow, and the three of them did a modified version of their ritualistic handshake from when they played softball, with Jordan keeping her hurt wrist away from the action. Even though she wasn’t worried about her presentation, there was comfort in the familiar routine.
“You’re going to knock ’em dead, slugger!” Brandi said.
Jordan mimed swinging a bat, though it was awkward with her arm brace.
“This is Blake,” her friend said, linking her arm with the man by her side. Her face radiated pure pleasure.
Jordan tried not to compare him to Sebastien. They were about the same height. Blake’s hair was dark and he was clean shaven, all groomed and put together in a buttoned jacket and dress pants. The prince’s red hair and scruffy chin gave him a more casual air.
Plus Sebastien always looked at Brandi with his heart visible if she thought to notice it. Blake’s eyes held a predatory gleam.
“So you’re the famous Jordan Shoenover.” Blake held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here.” Jordan approved so far. Good eye contact, nice smile. “I hope you’re not too bored, being surrounded by all these new people.”
“Blake, you should come to the Inn for dinner one night. Get to meet everyone under less stressful circumstances,” Brandi said.
“I’d love to.” He looped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close to kiss her forehead.
Not afraid to show affection. He was doing well, aside from that gleam.
She spotted Lana and her date waving at her from across the room. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
She crossed through the crowd to her friend, stopping to shake hands and exchange greetings with guests.
“What a party.” Lana gave her a hug. “All this for you?”
“Hard to believe, isn’t it? I’m kinda a big deal.”
Lana’s neck sparkled with stunning jewels, and her smile sparkled at the equally-stunning man on her arm. “You remember Cress Ancrum from Plates of Macon?”
Her proud tone had Jordan studying the man more carefully. It was so different than Lana’s cupcake connoisseur voice. Jordan raised her brows at her friend, who grinned like she had baked a particularly tempting dessert.
“Of course.” Jordan shook his hand “I’m glad you could make it tonight.”
They chatted until Luke caught Jordan’s attention from across the room and held up his hand. She had five minutes until Mrs. McGraw introduced her.
“That’s my cue,” Jordan said. “I’m going to find a corner andtake deep breaths. You guys take care.”
She left the library’s community room and crept down the industrial carpeting to the next door in the hallway. The small, quiet room had a few chairs scattered about and she rearranged two of them to sit and rest her arm on the other’s back. She closed her eyes and focused on taking slow, rhythmic breaths. It was comforting to fall back on her pre-game ritual. A few moments blocking out the noise in the locker room to envision the throws, the hits, the win.
The tread of footsteps and Josh’s soapy scent reached her before she felt his leg brush against hers. She kept her eyes closed and inhaled the freshness that seemed to follow him around.
“Hi,” she said, opening her eyes.
“Hi.” He nodded to her arm. “How’s your wrist?”
“Better.” She fought the impulse to snuggle into his side. Tired of making the effort, only to have it accepted and then soundly rebuffed.
He looped his arm around the back of his chair and trailed his fingers along her skin, sending prickles of awareness over her. Did she trust the feelings of comfort he evoked in her?
“I knew tonight’s event was hosted by Mrs. McGraw,” he said. “And what do you know, this time it’s about you.”
