How Sweet It Is (12 page)

Molly gestured behind her to the door. “I guess I better get back to work.”

“See you soon.”

“Uh, yeah. Tomorrow.” Molly nodded once and headed out into the world as Jordan watched after her.

So they’d go on like before. It meant stuffing the off-the-charts chemistry they’d discovered back in the box, but she could do that to keep from scaring Molly away altogether.

Because that wasn’t an option.

*

There was a chill in the air that was unseasonable for April. Some sort of cold front had blown in from up North. Molly pulled her hoodie more fully around her and shoved her hands into the pockets.

It was Wednesday, which meant she’d spend the late afternoon at the cemetery after work. After arranging some fresh flowers, she updated Cassie on the week’s happenings and all the preparations for the big birthday party coming up.

“I also went on another date this week. I know. What was I thinking? You would have loved this one, by the way. If nothing else, I have a good story to tell one day.” She leaned back on her elbows and stared at the sky. “I’m just looking for that click, you know? The one we had. And that doesn’t just happen every day. So maybe it’s okay that I’m picky. I should probably just be patient and someone nice will eventually drift along. If not, that’s okay too.”

It was a relief to talk things out with Cassie. Even if she did do all the talking. Wednesdays had a way of centering her when nothing else worked, bringing the world into some sort of manageable focus.

Wednesdays mattered to her.

Molly stayed for an extra half hour that day. She didn’t bring up what had happened with Jordan in her living room. Nor did she mention the subsequent time they’d spent together or the ever-present tugging. Because to do so would give it more credit than it deserved. Talking about it on their Wednesday afternoon would make it real, and it wasn’t. It was a minor blip on the radar. And this particular blip would soon be firmly behind them.

Molly glanced up as Eden sauntered into the kitchen and stared. “Did you invite an army of starving people over or do you just need a chocolate fix worthy of the
Guinness Book
?” She surveyed the truffle-covered countertops of the bakeshop’s kitchen with a hand on her hip.

Molly went back to work. “Neither.” She was on a mission and couldn’t be deterred. It was the end of the workday, but she didn’t care. She had to keep going.

“When you ducked back here to do a little work, I had no idea what you were embarking upon. This is a little crazy town, sugar. I’m not sure our refrigerators can hold this many truffles.”

“I bake when I’m stressed, okay? It’s a thing.”

“Then you must be a stone’s throw from a breakdown.”

“It’s been that kind of week is all. My dad’s been depressed; business is hit and miss. Oh, and then the unforgettable blind date that I have you to thank for.”

“Mhmm. And that’s all that’s got your mind scrambling?”

“Yep.”

“All right. We can play that way. So what are we going to do with all of these?”

“You and Louise can take some home along with the copies of the recipe I laid out for each of you. I want you up to date on our latest menu item. Some will go to my dad, the Tuscanas, and then the leftovers can get us started on the inventory we’ll take with us to the festival.”

Eden snagged a truffle and took a generous bite. Molly watched as her eyes widened in delight as she sank into the taste. “You did it,” she finally whispered. “You really did it.”

Molly couldn’t help the grin. “They’re good, aren’t they?”

“Best I’ve ever had and I know chocolate. Woo-hoo!” She offered Molly a high five and their customary hip bump.

“What’s all this?” Louise asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Molly’s stressed so she’s baking for the free world.”

“Because of Jordan? Nothing wrong with a little kissing, MollyDolly. You’re only young and sexy once. Wish I’d remembered that when I was your age. I should have slept around more.”

Molly gasped and shot Eden an accusatory stare. “You didn’t? Eden Young, you’re going to die. You have no concept of discretion.”

“What? Louise doesn’t count. She’s bakeshop family. You don’t keep things from the bakeshop family.”

Molly glared harder. “By that logic, maybe we should notify Damon too. Where’s the phone?”

Louise shook her head. “No need. I told him this afternoon when he picked up the muffins.”

Molly glared. “Fabulous.”

“They
were
pretty good muffins.” Louise headed back out to the counter.

“Maybe we should just run my life by committee.” Molly threw her hands in the air and went back to rolling truffles while Eden considered this.

“You’d definitely have more fun. Now that you’re actually talking about it, did you smooth things over with little miss Jordan?”

“Yeah, we’re fine.”

“Your voice is flat. Sweetie, it’s hard to believe you when sound like a pancake.”

Molly stilled her hands, but kept her eyes on the bowl of cocoa powder. Her resolve to remain tightlipped was weakening. “When I went to talk to Jordan today, almost everything went exactly how I wanted it to.”

“But something didn’t. What didn’t go according to plan?”

Molly sighed, finally turning fully to Eden and lowering her voice. “My eyes kept doing this thing where they’d dip down to her mouth and there was…”

“What? There was what?”

She lowered her voice even more. “This little tug. The whole time I’m talking to her, there’s this pulling right in the center of my stomach.” She shook her head at Eden. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s never been there before and now I need to find its off switch.”

“Don’t you dare turn it off. Run with it, sugar, like you’ve never run before. Sew your wild oats with the attractive young thing that’s just sashayed into town. I’ve worked here for over three years and I’m ready to see you get back up on that horse, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen you near one.”

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen with Jordan. She’s important. I can survive a little tugging.”

Louise stuck her head in. “Don’t want to interrupt, Molly, but Jordan’s up front to see you.”

Eden grinned widely. “Let the tugging begin.”

*

“So you’re telling me I helped make this little wonder of wonders happen?” Jordan held up a truffle and grinned. There was sincere happiness written all over her at having contributed, and Molly couldn’t help but smile back.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying and that’s why I wanted to personally introduce you. It was your suggestion that got me there.” In addition to the truffle Jordan was eating, Molly’d presented her with a pink box full to take with her to show her gratitude.

They were sitting alone in a booth by the window. Eden and Louise had quickly said their good-byes as soon as they’d finished with closing.

“So what’s the plan now? For the MollyDollys. I like the name, by the way. Entirely fitting.”

“Thanks, you. The plan is to make these little guys my superstars. Push them every chance I get. Debut them at the festival. Hope for large orders. Maybe even set up a way to take mail orders via the Web down the road. And then see if any of it makes a difference.”

Jordan nodded but her eyes held concern. “And if they don’t?”

“Then things get harder.”

A pause. “Are you going to lose the shop?”

Molly leaned back against the booth and took a moment before answering. “Probably.” God, she’d never admitted that to anyone. But she trusted Jordan, and somehow it felt okay. “I guess these truffles are my version of a Hail Mary pass in the fourth quarter. I just have to put them out there and hope to generate some buzz, even if it’s just temporary.”

“Have you thought about taking out a second mortgage on the place?”

“Been there, done that.” She lifted her shoulder. “This is it, Jordan. I either get my head above water, or close up shop for good. And time is ticking.”

Jordan shook her head. “You can’t close down. That would kill you, Molly. You love this place.”

It was true, and the thought generated a wave of emotion. “Which is why I’m not giving up. Flour Child is my connection to my family. It’s my father’s legacy, and one day, I’m going to be without him.” Her eyes filled at the thought. “But I don’t want to be without his shop, you know?”

Jordan took a deep breath. “Then you won’t be.” She looked around. “You know, things are getting entirely too heavy in here. Let’s go.”

Molly eyed her suspiciously. “And where are we going? I have more truffles to make for the festival.”

“Plenty of time for that, and let’s be honest, the truffles aren’t going anywhere. Let’s take a walk. I haven’t had a chance to check out the town much, see what’s new since I’ve been gone.”

She had to admit it sounded nice. The sun was setting and the temperature would be crisp. She liked crisp. And she liked walks. “Okay, but I can’t be gone too long.”

“I know. Can you even imagine what would happen if you were?”

“Shut up.”

“Okay, as long as we’re walking.”

They took the long way through the square, and Molly narrated a bit, describing the new businesses that had popped up in recent years. “Oh, and right here outside of County Market, we have our very own, wait for it, Redbox.” She held up her hands as if to say “tada.” “Tell me you’re not impressed at our consumer progress.”

“Color me shocked.” Jordan shook her head. “God, it’s all so different and yet not at all.”

They passed Mr. Mueller, the mail carrier, just across the street. He must have been headed home for the day. As they waved, he offered a double take and came right over. “Jordy Tuscana. Well, look at you. A knockout if I ever saw one. Who would have thought that scraggly kid would grow up so well?” He pulled her into a warm embrace.

Jordan smiled at him that dazzling way she smiled at people. “Thanks. You’re holding up pretty great yourself. How’s Dustin? I miss him.”

He smiled a little brighter at the mention of his son, a friend of hers from high school. “Just promoted to junior partner at the firm in Chicago. I’ll tell him I saw you. Glad you’re home. Say hi to your folks for me.”

“Will do, Mr. Mueller. It was nice seeing you.”

Molly shook her head as they walked on.

“What?”

“Everyone loves you. It’s foregone. Some sort of cosmic rule.”

Jordan smiled widely. “Well, of course.”

That earned her a pointed nudge in the ribs. “Ow.”

“Oh, please. Where to now?”

Jordan looked around, plotting their next move. “The soccer field?”

“Okay. A nostalgic glimpse of the glory days coming right up.” Molly had to admit that she was feeling lighter. It turned out she needed to get out of the shop. She just hadn’t realized it. Plus, the town seemed to sparkle extra bright today. Maybe it was just spending time with Jordan and putting things back in place between them. Who knew?

But it didn’t matter. The sun was making its descent in the sky and the cooler temperature had her energized, up for anything. And with Jordan, you never knew what you were in for.

Ten minutes later, they arrived on the very pristine soccer field. The high school went to great lengths to keep it in tiptop condition, and the wide expanse of green grass was quite picturesque. Jordan put her hands on her hips and blew out a breath. “Totally and completely surreal to be standing here right now. Whoa.”

Molly had to agree. She came out for a lot of the high school football games to support her alma mater, but soccer was somehow harder. It had been Cassie’s passion, and without her, it had just seemed empty. Standing there with Jordan, however, carried with it a whole different purpose. She was a vibrant presence, and Molly felt the effect of her proximity. “A lot of your youth was spent right here on this grass.”

Jordan took a few steps in. “Yeah, well, until I was kicked off the team.”

“You always did think you knew more than everyone else.”

“In shocking news, it turns out I don’t. It just took a few years for me to figure that part out.”

Molly stared, struck at the way the descending sun layered across Jordan’s eyes, making the blue more vibrant than she’d ever seen it. “I think that’s called acquired maturity.”

“Don’t give me too much credit. I’m about to break into that equipment shed over there and lose all sorts of mature points.” Her grin was pure mischief as she backed away.

Oh, this wasn’t a good idea. Molly was pretty much a rule follower, and the words “breaking in” so did not fit into that neat little square. “Jordan,” she called. “Hey, maybe not. I’d rather stay out of jail, you know, if at all possible.”

Jordan lifted her head from the lock she now examined. “Live a little, Molly. Nothing will happen, I promise. And who knows? You might even like it.”

She didn’t have a chance to protest further, however, as it only took Jordan two point three seconds to pop the lock. The door was now open, and moments later, Jordan approached dribbling a soccer ball proudly. “Wanna play?”

“Pshh, no. I’m not into anything that requires defense. I was a cheerleader in high school, remember?”

Jordan offered a lazy smile. “I have not forgotten. Do you still have the uniform?”

For whatever reason, a typical Jordan comment that she could have matched toe to toe just a few days ago now left her speechless, and, oh God, was she blushing? Yep, that was a full on blush she felt creeping down her neck. Jordan must have noticed too, and in a merciful move, let her off the hook.

“You don’t have to answer that if you’ll play with me.”

She kicked the ball to her.

“Fine,” Molly said and rolled her eyes. But the true source of her annoyance was at herself and her inability to behave like a normal human, not at Jordan. But who was counting?

She kicked the ball back.

And they were underway.

They started out in a side-by-side run, passing the ball between them as they went. But once they’d covered the length of the field once, their game turned into one of keep away, with Molly struggling with everything she had to steal the ball from Jordan, who was so much more adept at this, that it wasn’t close to fair. Finally, out of breath and feeling like she might die, Molly collapsed onto her back in the middle of the field.