In a Book Club Far Away(65)
“Or do you change your community?”
Her gaze snapped to his face. “Move? But my Mom lives in Columbus, and Logan’s stationed there, too.”
“But Logan isn’t always stationed at Fort Benning.”
“I mean…” She looked back at the last eight years, and true enough, Logan hadn’t lived in Georgia for half that time. “No, but still.”
“Consider this: You love The Perfect Day Catering. You’ve already taken a risk. Maybe explore other options on the table, even one that’s far-fetched and bonkers? Not that I have any say.”
“No, thank you.” She smiled, though her mind was in her commercial kitchen, with the entire family and employees milling about. “It feels good for me to talk this through. Sometimes I feel like I’m… alone in this.”
“You are most definitely not. You have your friends here. You have me.” He clapped down on the table gently. “But go ahead, taste the rest of the cakes.” He watched her as she took a bite of each sample. It took all of Regina’s effort not to let her eyes roll back in pleasure.
“Is that a moan I hear?” The right side of his mouth quirked up into a grin.
“Maybe?” She covered her mouth with a hand while her face burned up like a furnace.
“Well? What’s the verdict? Still chocolate?”
“As delicious as the carrot and the red velvet are—”
He peered at her playfully. “It was worth a try, though I thought I could tempt you.”
“Listen, if I could have a cake with a layer of each…”
“I seem to remember a certain Instagram story when you and your son flipped a coin over who would pick that evening’s pizza. And whoa.”
She laughed. “You didn’t like my anchovies and olives with pineapples?”
He splayed his hand against his chest and coughed. “The thought alone gives me heartburn.”
“What can I say? I have an advanced palate.” She beamed.
She stuck her fork in the cake and took another bite as she listened to him describe his adventure making sourdough pizza crust. His lovely voice filled her with earthy and sunny goodness. She had to shut her eyes to savor it, using all her senses, enjoying the hint of his cologne that wafted from across the table. She imagined what it would feel like to wake up next to him, under the crook of his arm, her nose nuzzled into him.
Her eyes flew open at how quickly her mind spiraled downward.
He grinned, leaning back, crossing his arms, appraising her.
She sipped the champagne to reset her palate and to get her mind straight. “So, yes. Chocolate.”
“All right.” He scribbled her order on his notes. “And design?”
“Simple, waved sides, ombré white to pink, a big number two, maybe some gold sprinkles. Enough for twenty servings? That should be safe. But really, I leave the design up to you. I trust you. But can we move my order to Friday? That’s the day Adelaide’s follow-up appointment will be.”
“Friday is definitely enough time.”
“Thank you for doing this.”
“Of course.” He stood, and he stuck a hand out to help her off the stool. “Are you doing anything right now?”
“This was my big plan for the evening.”
“Would you like to head down to La Cremerie? That’s the cheese shop I told you about.”
Regina looked at her watch. Surely they wouldn’t need her the rest of the night. Soon enough, she would be back to reality, not just at the town house, but in her home in Georgia, where her nights consisted of helping Miko with homework and sorting out bills, not twinkle lights and cake and nighttime strolls. “You know what? Yes.”
“Great. Just one minute.” He untied his apron and draped it over the countertop. He blew out all the candles and, leaving the lights on, led her out the door. After he locked up, he offered her his elbow.
This time, Regina didn’t feel the wind. Nor did she feel the time fly. Though, an hour later, under the dark, star-dotted sky, she absolutely felt his lips on hers for their first honest-to-goodness kiss.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Sophie
Present Day, Wednesday
The next morning, Sophie woke up in an empty bed. She sat up, bleary-eyed, and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. It was 8:00 a.m.
“Damn it.” Jumping off the bed, she threw on a robe over her pajamas. Exhaustion clung to her bones, but she ignored it, irritated that she hadn’t woken up to her alarm for Adelaide’s 6:00 a.m. temperature check. Both she and Regina had pulled long shifts the night before—Regina for Genevieve and Sophie for Adelaide—and Sophie must have crashed hard after Adelaide’s 3:00 a.m. medication.
Sophie padded to Adelaide’s room and peeked in. The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains. The outline of Adelaide’s body under the covers rose and fell in a calm pattern. Sophie pushed the door—it opened with a creak—and picked up the thermometer on the bedside table. With a gentle tap, she said, “Just taking your temp, Ad.”
Adelaide mumbled an okay, and Sophie stuck the thermometer in her ear. After a short wait, the device beeped a verdict, and Adelaide let out a breath. Her temperature was normal. Thank God. After a brief glance at the medication record she drew up for Adelaide’s pain meds and antibiotics and noting her next dose, Sophie left the room, shutting the door.