Page 78 of Cupcake of the Month
“I’m coming in!” Mrs. Sumner called from the living room before barging into the kitchen. She inspected the meat on the stovetop. “Did you touch my roast?”
“No, ma’am,” he said. “I would never interfere with a classic. It’s done resting.”
“Jordan, are you staying for dinner?”
“I’m not sure.” She raised an eyebrow in Josh’s direction. “Am I?”
Chapter 15
“Dinner’s ready, everyone,” Mrs. Sumner called from the kitchen. Guests filed in and she pointed to a seat. “Jordan, you can sit there.”
The comfortably padded chair put her across from Josh. The dark fake-wood table groaned under the weight of the roast and the side dishes that came with it. The seasoned aroma of the meat made her stomach growl. She recognized a plate of Fountenoy Hall leftovers and cut a quick glance to Josh, who studiously avoided her.
Those who hadn’t already met Jordan were introduced as everyone bunched together in the small room and passed dishes around. They might not share blood, but they were a family, just the same. A different side of Josh emerged as well. He was still more like a silent film star than a leading actor, but he seemed more relaxed.
The apartment residents quizzed her about everything from living at an inn to her job and how she knew Josh.
The first one was easy. The other two took more finesse.
The apartment residents had been struck by Mrs. McGraw’s charisma as much as Jordan. That made it easier. Talk turned to her job and opinions of recent measures taken by the state congress. Josh snuck covert glances at her but stayed quiet throughout the entire conversation.
Jordan summed up her plan to enact more Government Talks in common rooms of apartment complexes like this one, and Zach spoke up.
“Do criminals vote?” he asked.
“Zach, let Jordan enjoy her meal,” Josh said.
“I don’t mind.” Jordan was thrilled that someone so young was taking an interest in politics. “Some can. It depends on whythey’re criminals.”
Josh’s mouth tightened, and he stabbed a potato.
“What if they’re wrongly convicted felons?” Zach asked. “Like my parents.”
Oh. My. That was a revelation. Jordan stole a glance at Josh, who met her stare with a frank, cold glare. Her skin iced over at his careless disregard.
Until the muscle twitched in his cheek.
Blood pounded in her temples, and she closed her eyes to ground herself. She understood hiding from the past. She had done it herself when fleeing to Fountenoy Hall. But she had trusted Josh with her secrets. And he had given so little of himself, except to fill her physical desires.
On the other hand, he hadn’t been with anyone else in eight years.
She opened her eyes and focused on Zach. “I’m not sure. This might be a better question for a lawyer.”
“I haven’t seen them since I was five.” Zach stuffed a forkful of green beans in his mouth.
The kid must be in his early teens now, maybe a little younger. Jordan faced Josh again and raised her eyebrows. “And when was that?”
“He’s thirteen,” he ground out.
Jordan did the math, but kept her face impassive. “That’s a long time to go without seeing your mom and dad. I miss mine when I don’t see them. I bet you miss yours a lot.”
“I do. And they miss me, too. I know they want to see me.” The last part was directed to Josh. “Like the letter says.”
He didn’t rise to the bait, only took a drink and ate more roast.
Mr. Sumner cleared his throat, breaking the silence that held everyone enthralled. “Jordan, would you like some bread?”
Conversation turned away from illegal activities as Lucyoffered an anecdote about her students. Soon Jordan put down her silverware and smiled at her hosts. “Thank you for the delicious meal, but I have to leave.” She rose from the table and turned to Josh. “Walk me out?”
