How Sweet It Is (17 page)

“I wasn’t flirting.” She tossed Molly a serious glance and watched her turn an even deeper shade of red.

“Oh, right. No. I didn’t mean—”

Jordan held up a hand as she watched the road. “Kidding. I was totally flirting.”

Molly exhaled slowly, her tone measured. “I don’t know what to do with you sometimes. It’s like I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.”

“Right. And that’s bad?”

“I don’t know.”

They drove in silence for a few minutes, the radio playing quietly as they made their way into Applewood. Finally, Jordan turned it off.

“Truth or dare.”

It took Molly several moments to answer. “Truth.”

Jordan’s eyes never left the road. Her words were slow and even when she asked the question that she had to know the answer to. “Do you think about that night as much as I do?”

They turned onto Molly’s street. “You know what? I don’t want to play.”

“Why do you always do that?” Jordan asked, her voice mirroring the frustration she felt. “Why do you refuse to participate in what’s happening around you?”

“It’s so easy for you to say that, Jordan. But you don’t know what it’s like to be me. I lost the love of my life. My world was turned upside down. It’s hard enough to move on from Cassie, to find a way to wake up and start again, but if I feel like I’m betraying her at the same time, I don’t have a chance.” With that, Molly exited the car and headed up the walk.

Jordan got out and stood next to her car, calling after her. “I didn’t ask about Cassie. See, that’s the thing. I only asked about
me
.” She heard her voice break and she held out her hands helplessly. “Why don’t you see me, Molly?”

Molly turned around. “What are you talking about? Of course, I see you.”

Jordan shook her head. “You never have. You’ve always been there for me, Mol, but you’ve never really seen me. Do you know that I’ve compared every girl I’ve ever dated to you? It’s true. You were always the unattainable ideal.” She studied the sidewalk before raising her gaze to Molly. “I get that it’s not easy, the concept of you and me. I just wish you thought I was worth it.”

Molly stared at her, her eyes wide, full of emotion. But she didn’t say anything, and it was all the response that Jordan needed.

She reached for the door handle to her car. “Okay, then. Glad you’re home safe. I guess I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Ask me again.”

“What?” Jordan turned back.

Molly blinked. “The game. Ask me again.”

“Truth or dare.”

“Dare.”

Jordan took a breath. “Kiss me.”

This time Molly didn’t hesitate. She didn’t stop walking until her mouth was on Jordan’s and her arms firmly around her neck, pulling herself in, going up onto her tiptoes for better access.

When their lips met, Jordan closed her eyes. Molly’s lips were so soft and wonderful that she let herself be pushed up against the car. It was as if all of the cool air had been sucked from the night, leaving only heat. She kissed her back hard, possibly too hard, but it wasn’t like she could stop herself. Molly let out a murmur of contentment and angled her head for the best fit, deepening the kiss. Jordan’s hand slid into Molly’s free falling hair and gripped gently as Molly’s mouth, the intoxicating scent of her soap, and the skill with which she now owned Jordan assaulted every inch of her. This was the moment she had been daydreaming about for days, and it lived up to every expectation and then some. Then, just as quickly as it had started, the kiss was over. Molly now held Jordan’s face in her hands. Her breathing was heavy as she stared unabashedly into Jordan’s eyes.

“I see you,” she said quietly. “Believe me. I do.” Her thumb stroked Jordan’s cheek gently as she lowered herself back onto her heels again. Molly let her go and took a step backward. “Good night, Jordan.” She turned, not waiting for an answer.

Struck, amazed, and mesmerized by what had just taken place, Jordan stood there motionless, rooted firmly to the cement of the driveway. She watched Molly let herself into the house, and once the kitchen light glowed brightly through the window, she floated ever so slowly back to Earth. With her hand now touching her still swollen lips, she relived the kiss she would be up all night thinking about. Because it was the kind of kiss you didn’t forget. It was the kiss you compared all other kisses to for the rest of your adult life. The kind that left you wanting so much more, yet satisfied you immensely at the same damn time. If that was even a real possibility. But where Molly was concerned, she was beginning to understand that there was no limit to what she didn’t know.

It was with a slight smile on her lips that she climbed back into the car and headed for home in the wee hours of the morning.

There was something about the April Showers Festival that made the word feel infinitely more exciting. Perhaps it was the fact that the whole town came together in celebration. Or maybe it was the cover bands that played in rotation on the stage at the back of the fairgrounds, the ones that made Molly want to dance the whole time she was there. Or even more likely, it was the amazing food booths that she took pleasure in hopping between, sampling all the sinfully wonderful options. Whatever it was, she looked forward to it all year, even if it meant a ton of work for the bakeshop.

As was tradition, Flour Child had a small but dignified booth at the center of the concessions section. This year, they were selling caramel apple wassail, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and, of course, MollyDollys. The truffles were making their grand debut that afternoon. And after only being open an hour, the booth was already picking up buzz.

“I’ll take a half dozen of the truffle thingies named after you,” said Mrs. Welch, Molly’s elderly neighbor from two doors down. “The ladies from my bridge club said I had to come try them out, and I always listen to them.”

“Coming right up.” Molly handed the chocolate to Mrs. Welch in their customary wax paper bag with the bakeshop’s name stenciled along the bottom. “Let me know what you think, and if you like them, tell your friends.”

But before she could move on to the next customer in line, Mrs. Welch bit right into one and grinned. “Amazing,” she breathed. “Don’t worry, Molly. I’ll tell everyone I know.” She looked down at the truffle in her hand, shook her head in wonder, and headed off with her remaining chocolates. Another satisfied customer.

“Sugar, you think we made enough of these things? We’re an hour in and already hitting our stash pretty hard.”

“No worries. There are more at the shop.” She grinned triumphantly, and though it was still early, that’s kind of how she felt. Triumphant. Bold. She was taking control of her life lately and if felt good.

Eden slung an arm around Molly’s shoulders. “My, my. It seems our fearless leader has thought of everything. When bonehead gets here, we can send him back for more inventory.”

“Eden, can we maybe not call Damon a bonehead? He’s a member of our staff and just as deserving of respect as the rest of us.”

“If you say so. And out of loyalty to you, I will try not to call the bonehead a bonehead.”

“Thanks for going out of your way.”

Eden placed a big smacking kiss on her cheek. “Anytime.”

As the hours rolled by, the bright blue sky dimmed and made way for the twinkling of stars. The crowds increased exponentially as did the line at the Flour Child booth. In good news, her shift was almost over and she could head out into the world to enjoy the festival. The carnival rides were now lit up with neon, and as she handed Mr. Walker his change, she stared at the towering Ferris wheel in the distance. Her nemesis.

The great big circle of terror.

Satan’s bicycle wheel.

The symbol of all her fears rolled into one.

Saying she was afraid of heights was an understatement. And after a widely witnessed freak-out on the ride when she was twelve years old, she steered clear of the thing. Even the sight of it sent a terrifying shiver through her. Every once in a while, she’d start to feel a little courageous and wonder if she could ever give it another go. You know, conquer that fear once and for all. But the answer was always no, she’d decide most matter-of-factly. She could not. Her fear of heights and rides and all things scary was just something she’d have to live with.

“Hey, proud business owner.”

Molly shot a look over her right shoulder and found Jordan leaning over the side of the booth. Her hair was swept partially back and she looked incredibly fresh faced and vibrant. This time a shiver moved through her for an entirely different reason.

They hadn’t seen each other since the kiss in the driveway. The kiss she’d initiated in one of the most daring moments of her entire life. The thing was, the kiss they’d shared that first time in her living room had been great. No, more than great. But the second kiss had completely devastated the first one. How? She wasn’t quite sure. It was a mystery—as was the fact that she forgot the rest of the world existed when Jordan’s lips were on hers. She didn’t know exactly where they stood, but a door was definitely standing open. It was just a matter of whether she chose to walk through it. And she had a feeling she’d know the answer by the time the night was over. “Hey, you. Enjoying yourself?”

Jordan grinned whimsically. “You have no idea. I’ve been here an hour and barely scraped the surface. Done soon? There’s festivating to partake in.”

“Festivating?” Molly arched an eyebrow.

“Festivating. Don’t look at me like that. It’s a word.”

“Give me five minutes.”

“Okay. Meet me at the bandstand?”

Molly considered this. “Only if you have a cold beer waiting for me. I’m working pretty hard here.” She offered up a pathetic facial expression for effect.

“I’ll see what I can rustle up.” And she was off, with Molly watching in appreciation as she walked away.

“You should take a picture. Lasts longer,” Eden whispered in her ear.

“What are you, seven? I haven’t heard anyone say that since elementary school.”

“What can I say? I like the classics.” Eden gestured in Jordan’s direction with her chin. “You hittin’ that yet?”

“Excuse me?” Molly said, shocked, but okay, not entirely. It was Eden. Molly took off her apron and handed it to Louise, who was taking over for her, and headed to the booth’s staging area.

Eden followed, close on her heels. “Don’t play innocent with me, Miss Molly. You have blatant lust scrawled across your forehead in giant red letters.”

Molly decided to drop the lame protestations. It’s not like Eden was wrong. “Okay, the blatant lust exists, yes. But blatant lust is not always smart lust, you know? Does lust
have
to be smart or can it just be fun? Fun lust.” She took a deep breath. “What do I do here?”

Eden stared at her as if trying to work a difficult puzzle. “What do you want to do here?”

“Hit that.”

Eden laughed loudly and pulled Molly into a hug. “I love you. And let’s be clear. Fun lust is not a crime and you could definitely use some fun. Get outta here and enjoy your night. I think you’re in good shape. Please do everything and anything that I would and that’s an order.”

Molly offered a small salute.

The area around the bandstand was overflowing with people when Molly arrived. The band onstage played a cover of “Neon Moon” and the vibe was laid back fun. Just what she was in the mood for. The dance floor was packed, but Molly was able to spot Jordan off to the side, sitting on the grass with the more mellow festival goers, taking in the music, the ambiance, the evening.

“I hate to interrupt, but is this seat taken?”

Jordan glanced up and smiled. The lights from the dance floor caught her eyes and the pleasant tug showed up right on time in the center of Molly’s stomach. “Well, I was waiting for this charming and attractive small business owner, but I guess you’ll do.”

“You’re so good to me.”

Jordan handed her a beer. “Look at that. I really am.”

She took a seat in the grass next to Jordan, and for the next few minutes they listened to the music as Molly enjoyed the chance to get off her feet for a little bit. It wasn’t long before out of the corner of her eye she noticed Jordan studying her. “What?” she asked, self-conscious. “Is there flour on my face again?” She swiped at her cheek.

“Nope.”

Molly glanced down at her hands then back at Jordan. “Then what?”

“I just can’t seem to stop looking at you.”

“Oh,” she said quietly. She looked back at Jordan and smiled. The gaze they held seemed to communicate so much. Jordan’s eyes were soft, kind, and through that stare Molly understood fully that she was safe. Jordan knew what she’d been through because she’d gone through it herself. Whatever it was she was afraid of, that kept her from letting go, slowly evaporated in the span of that exchange.

It was just Jordan, whom she’d known most of her life, looking back at her. There was nothing to fear, and the realization was like a cool glass of water on a thirsty day. She was all of a sudden energized and eager to live life. “Come to the fun house with me?”

Jordan looked at her dubiously. “The fun house?”

“Mhmm. I don’t do rides, as you know, but the funhouse has always been my favorite. It’s a different one this year so I don’t know the maze yet. We can figure it out together.”

“Well, if you insist. But will there be clowns? I hate clowns.”

“I’ll protect you.”

Molly paid for their tickets and led the way through the psychedelic red and white door. Once inside, it was pretty hard to see and crazy loud rock music filled the space. A flash of light lit the small room every five seconds or so and they used the brief illumination to find their way to a long hallway. “Careful. The floor in here is sloped.”

“Sloped up or down? Whoa.” Jordan said, stumbling.

“Up
and
down. Here take my hand.” She reached just behind her and found Jordan’s hand and held tight. They laughed as they made their way down the uneven path together, and Molly found herself on an adrenaline high from the combination of fun and the overt sexual tension that just holding Jordan’s hand was apparently able to elicit.