Page 94 of Cupcake of the Month
“You never came,” Zach repeated, his voice cracking. He turned back to Josh, his thin shoulders trembling. “Is everything you told me true? They really stole all that money?”
“I wish they hadn’t.”
“Zach—” Clint started.
“That’s enough. Let’s go.” The agent holding Clint moved him down the hall. He turned before going through the door at the end.
Josh’s hard gaze never left Clint’s face. Let Zach’s angry, tear-streaked face be the last memory he had of his child during his years behind bars. Bastard didn’t even deserve that much.
The door swung shut behind him, the soft swish echoing in the hall.
“Josh.” Shondra said softly behind him.
Jordan interjected before he could speak. “Surely they can wait five more minutes.”
“It’s okay, Josh.” Zach stepped back and scrubbed at his face. “I just want to get this over with and go home.”
Chapter 19
Josh paced his small kitchen, circling the hanging bag and dodging the table. Zach’s caseworker was going to be there soon. It had been over a week since the incident with Zach and his parents, and Josh had already met with the caseworker alone to go over what had happened. Katrina’s visit was standard. Expected.
Didn’t make it any easier.
“Josh. Stop moving around,” Zach said. His fingers beat out an uneven rhythm on the table. “You’re making me nervous.”
“Yeah, okay.” Josh sat down. He wished Jordan was there. Not just for her calm presence, but because, well, he missed her. Ms. Eulalee had returned from Paris a few days ago, and stepped smoothly back into her role and Fountenoy Hall. Josh hadn’t seen Jordan since then. Hadn’t texted. Let her have a clean break.
He sprung up again. “Do you want some eggs? Let me make you some eggs.”
Jordan had remained at the Hall since she hadn’t had to return home in a rush. Her presence brightened the kitchen every morning. The way she laughed, lighting the room around her. The way she helped her friends, silently showing her support for their work and family. The way she made him feel with a glance or touch.
Not that there had been anything more than a casual hand on his arm.
“Geez, sit down already.” Zach tapped the extra chair as if to remind Josh of its existence.
“I could make cupcakes.” He tugged opened the pantry’s bifold door and pulled out the flour. “Peanut butter. Your favorite.”
“But Katrina might think you’re not providing me with the correct nutrition, forcing me to live off baked goods.”
“You’re right.” Shit, why hadn’t he thought of that? He shoved the flour back on the shelf.
“Oh, my God, I was kidding! What’s wrong with you?”
Everything.
He’d had his chance anytime in the past two months to confess everything to Jordan and prove his trust in her. But he hadn’t yet learned how to trust himself.
Now it was too late.
A knock sounded on the door and he scrambled to open it so Katrina didn’t have to wait. She wore a light grey suit, her reddish hair neatly pulled back with a headband, and wore a backpack hitched over one shoulder. A comforting smile filled her face as Josh led her into the small apartment. “Hi, Josh. Zach.”
“Have a seat.” Josh gestured to the empty chair. “Can I get you something to drink? Water, I mean. Can I get you some water? We also have milk. And orange juice. All part of a balanced and nutritious breakfast.”
“Or you could have a cupcake.” Zach said. The little brat.
“No, thank you,” Katrina said. “Actually, I’d like to talk with you, Zach.”
“You would?” Zach asked. He bit is lower lip and glanced at Josh.
