by Debbie White
He put both hands on the steering wheel, focusing on the road ahead. “Now you’re upset with me.”
“I’m not upset with you. I guess it’ll be all right. I mean she lived over there for the past several months. She was in charge of her own life then. What’s the difference?” She batted her lashes a few times and smiled.
“That’s my girl. Ease up on her. I bet before the week is over, you’ll know everything about Jeremy that there is to know.”
Annie quickly gasped and turned her body to face him. He gave her a quick look when he heard her gasp then turned his attention to the road once more.
“I know. Ask Diane to find out.”
Jack gave her another quick look. “I can’t ask her to spy on Mary.”
“Why not?”
“Because, I wouldn’t want her to spy on me, or us.”
Annie reeled around to face the window again. “You’re no fun.”
“Oh, I’m not? Did you forget that magical kiss back there already?”
Annie glanced at him over her shoulder. He had the same look in his eyes as he had back at the festival.
“No, I didn’t forget.” She licked her dry lips.
He pulled up to the front of the cigar shop and put the car in park. She unbuckled her seat belt and scooted closer to him. “Do you really think I could forget a kiss as memorable as that?” She pulled up slightly and kissed his mouth.
“I hope not, because it’s all I’ve been thinking about for the past hour.”
“That’s all you’ve been thinking about?” she said, teasing him with her mouth, moving from his lips to his cheek, down his neck, and back to his mouth.
“Annie.” He placed his hands on her arms and pushed her back.
She slumped back in the seat. “Yes?”
“You know I can’t resist you. If we keep this going, I don’t know what I’ll do.” He turned his body, pushing up against the driver’s window.
“Maybe I don’t want you to resist me. Have you thought about that?”
“Be careful what you wish for,” he said, pulling her back into his embrace and devouring her mouth with his.
Chapter 18
Annie beamed with pride on how well her new staff not only picked up the training, but how well they all got along. Now that the cupcakery had a full staff, it finally allowed Annie more time off. Not surprised that Betsy became the mother figure to the younger staff, she shared all the baking tips she had up her sleeve, and she didn’t hesitate for a moment to give out orders, in a sweet way, of course.
Annie couldn’t help it. She had to stop by, even on her day off. It didn’t feel natural to be away from the shop when it had consumed all her time before. “Good morning, Betsy.”
“Good morning, Annie,” Betsy said as she wiped the flour from her hands on her apron.
“Everything going okay?”
“Yes, Annie, everything is going well.”
Annie peeked inside one of the large mixers. She inhaled the batter, closing her eyes as she did. “Strawberry shortcake?”
Betsy nodded. “Yes, it’s the new favorite for summer.”
“No more salted chocolate caramel?”
“That is still popular, and one that is gaining on it is this strawberry shortcake. Who knows what will be the next fan favorite.” Betsy chuckled as she tossed her head back.
Annie glanced at her watch. “I guess I’ll leave you to it. You’re more than capable. I just wanted to make sure things were going smoothly for you.” She backed up a few steps and turned toward the doorway that would lead out to the counter.
“Annie, Morgan is still a big help here, and Rebecca can ring up cupcakes like no one else. And, Peter … he’s super good at his job. Look around. Doesn’t the place shine like a new nickel?”
Annie nodded. “Yes, everything looks wonderful. So I shall leave you to it and go visit my grandmother and auntie. They’ll be surprised to see me at this time of day. I think I’ll take them out for lunch.”
“Well, isn’t this a surprise,” Grandmother Lilly said when she opened the door and saw Annie standing there.
“That’s just what I told Betsy you’d say.” Annie stepped inside.
“What brings you here?”
“I thought I’d take you and Auntie Patty out for lunch. Maybe you have some errands to run as well?”
Grandmother Lilly quickly placed her hand over her heart. “Oh, that would be lovely, dear.”
Annie sat in the formal living room, turning the pages of a magazine while she waited for them to get ready. Her phone vibrated, letting her know she had a call. She looked at the screen and smiled. “Hello, Jack.”
“Hey, there. I’m on my way to the airport to pick up a family flying in from Wyoming. Do you think they’ll have culture shock?” He laughed.
“Perhaps so, but hopefully in a good way.”
“What are you doing today on your day off?”
“Taking Grandmother and Auntie Patty out for lunch and helping them run errands.”
“That’s nice. Listen, my parents want to have you and your sister over for dinner Saturday night. It will just be the six of us.”
Annie quickly made a head count. “Six?”
“You, me, my parents, and Mary and Jeremy.”
“Oh.”
“You didn’t think I wouldn’t invite Mary’s friend, did you? That would be rude.”
“I guess I’m going to somehow have to break it to the two old women today.”
“Why? Let Mary do that, in her own time.”
“Why must you always be the voice of reason, Jack?” she said, sighing into the phone.
“Remember, step back, let Mary be an adult. If it means she makes some mistakes along the way, so be it.”
“You’re right. I have to let go. It’s just …”
“I know, you’ve been her big sister looking out for her. It’s time she looked out for herself. You did your duty, and your folks would be proud.”
Annie looked up when she heard footsteps. “I have to go now. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Have a great day. Oh, and Annie?”
“Yes?”
“I can’t stop thinking about our kiss the other night.”
A grin swept across her face. “Me either.”
“We’re ready,” Auntie Patty said.
“I see that.” Annie stood up and admired how nice they both looked.
“Where shall we go for lunch, dear?” Grandmother Lilly asked as she laced her arm with Annie’s.
“I don’t really know. Any idea, Auntie Patty?” Annie held out her other arm for Auntie Patty to take.
“I’ve been reading a lot of good things about the café over off of Calhoun,” Patty said.
“Okay, let’s give that a whirl. Any errands to run?”
“I need to go to the post office,” Grandmother Lilly said.
“I’d like to stop at the beverage shop,” Auntie Patty added.
Annie pulled her head to the right and tilted it, making eye contact with Auntie Patty. “Out of scotch?”
Auntie Patty cleared her throat. “Now, dear, don’t be too nosey. It doesn’t suit you.” Auntie Patty pointed her chin up and squared her shoulders.
Annie giggled. “You two are a hoot. And I love you both dearly. Now let’s go eat.”
Spending her day with her family and having a wonderful lunch out, Annie couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend her first full day off. She sat on her couch and opened up her laptop. She searched the web a little and then picked up the phone and called Mary.
“Just quickly, because I know you’re working. What’s your schedule like on Wednesday? I thought I would treat us to a day of pampering.”
“I’m off on Wednesday, but Jeremy and I were going to hang out.”
“Oh,” Annie said with disappointment clearly hanging in her voice.
“But maybe another time?” Mary said, trying to be supportive.
“Okay. By the way, J
ack wants all of us to go over for dinner at his parents’ house on Saturday night. Can you and Jeremy make it?”
“I’ll ask him, but I’m sure it would be fine.”
Annie hung up the phone and leaned back into the cushions. She moved her head to the side and stared at Buffy curled up in her bed. She closed the laptop and placed it on the coffee table. Having days off might prove to be more difficult than I’d imagined.
Chapter 19
The three stood on the Powells’ stoop. Annie glanced over her shoulder before knocking. She took a quick look at her own attire and then rapped lightly on the door. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered nonstop. The door opened wide, and there Jack stood, all smiles.
“Hey, guys. Glad you could make it. Come on in.” He stepped aside so they could all file in.
“Something smells delicious,” Mary said.
“Mom’s gumbo and cornbread. I hope you brought an appetite.”
After the introductions, the group made their way to the living room. Drinks were served, and chatter ensued. It appeared by all counts that Jeremy and Mary were hits with the Powells. It brought relief to Annie, and it showed when she relaxed her shoulders.
“Hey, beautiful,” Jack said as he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Annie’s eyes twinkled, and her cheeks blushed as she soaked up the compliment. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”
He raised his drink to hers, and they toasted. “To a great evening,” Jack said.
She drew in a taste of the lemony cocktail. “This is really good. You’re becoming quite the bartender.” She leaned over to give him a kiss when out of the corner of her eye she saw Jack’s mother, Milly approaching them. She pulled back just in the nick of time.
“Annie, dear. It’s so nice to see you again. How are your grandmother and auntie?”
“They’re doing well, thank you. In fact, I took them out to lunch earlier in the week. Feisty as always.” Annie smiled at Jack.
“Your sister is so cute. How old is she?”
“Twenty-two. Still wet behind the ears.”
“How long has she been with Jeremy?”
“Mother!” Jack said.
“I was just curious if it was serious or not.” She raised her brows.
“It’s too soon to know that. She met him while traveling in Italy.”
“It must be serious then if he came back here to Charleston with her.” She drew in a taste of her drink.
Annie shook her head. “He didn’t come here with her, he’s just visiting.”
“I better go check on our dinner.”
“I apologize right now for her behavior,” Jack said.
“No worries. I’m glad to see that every family has a nosey parker.” She laughed.
“But see how irritating it can be?”
“I do. I’m trying hard. Haven’t you noticed?”
“I have.” He pulled her close. “I think you were about to kiss me before we were interrupted.”
Annie leaned over and gave him a kiss on the mouth.
He ran his tongue along the bottom of her lip. “Lemon.”
“Dinner is ready,” Milly said from the doorway.
Annie put her arm around Mary’s shoulders. “Having fun?”
Mary nodded.
Over large bowls of steaming gumbo, the table became a lively setting of joke telling, news, and business. Jack’s dad lost everyone when he began to talk about the stock market.
Milly saw it play it out before her very eyes and jumped up announcing it was dessert time. “Annie … Mary …”
The girls followed Milly to the kitchen.
“When he starts talking about the stock market I have to find somewhere to go,” Milly said as she sliced the pie. Motioning to the fridge, she said, “There’s whipped topping, too.”
Mary opened the fridge and retrieved the bowel with homemade whipped cream. She stuck her finger in the bowl and licked it. “Creamy deliciousness.”
Milly led the way back into the dining room, pushing the swing doors open with her back. Annie and Mary followed closely behind.
“Dessert!” Milly announced as she set a plate in front of her husband, Robert before taking her own seat.
“Mom, this is so good.” Jack slowly pulled the fork out of his mouth.
“Glad you like it, Son.”
“Yes, Mrs. Powell, the pie is delicious, and I really appreciate the homemade whipped cream,” Annie said as she took another bite.
The rest of the evening went fairly well. A few more questions from Milly that made everyone a bit uneasy, but as Mary reminded Annie once they were out in the car, they had to learn to live with Annie’s nosiness, so Milly just prepared them.
“Thanks a lot, Mary. What about Grandmother and Auntie Patty? They’re super nosey. I got it from them,” Annie said, defending herself.
Mary laughed. “No worries, big Sister. I think Jack’s mother is like a lot of mothers.”
“True. And grandmothers.”
“And aunties,” Mary added.
“And big sisters,” Jeremy said, chiming in.
“Hey, who asked you,” Mary said jokingly.
“Mary, I’m still waiting on our girl day. My feet are begging for a pedicure.”
“I know. I’m sorry it didn’t work out the other day. Let’s shoot for Friday.”
Annie pulled up to her parking spot and cut of the motor. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Sure. Thanks for inviting us,” Mary said
“You kids be safe driving.” Annie watched as they got into Mary’s car.
Annie put the key in the lock and gave it a twist, pushing open the front door. She quickly kicked it shut with her foot. She latched both locks and headed upstairs.
Buffy greeted Annie by jumping up on her legs. “Hey, girl. Were you a good girl?” She patted her on the head. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll walk you.”
Annie was grateful she didn’t have to walk her too far. She lived in a safe neighborhood, but she didn’t like to go deep into the city alone and at night. As Buffy did her thing, she wondered if it might be time to think about a house and yard. “How’d you like to have your own fenced in backyard, Buffy?”
They settled together on the couch. Annie didn’t make it a practice to invite Buffy up on the furniture, but she felt like cuddling with her. Annie channel surfed before settling on the Cake Boss show. Totally engrossed in the concoction that a contestant designed, Annie became startled when her phone went off.
“Just wanted to say good night.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. Hey, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, shoot.”
“You know where I live. I don’t know where you live.”
“Are you asking me where I live?”
Annie smirked into the phone. “Stop playing with me. Yes, that’s what I’m asking.”
“I live at home over the garage. It’s rather homey.”
“Oh, doesn’t your mother drive you mad?”
Jack laughed. “I have my own entrance, but yes, sometimes she does. Then I get on my boat and stay out all day. I had a plan. It sort of got derailed when I broke up with my fiancée.”
“What sort of plan?”
“I had been saving for several years to build our dream house. Then after she called it off, I still had to pay off the rings, pay the vendors and all of the other deposits that came due because of the wedding cancellation.”
“Oh, I see. That makes sense.”
“I hope by this time next year I’ll be moved out.”
“Oh, where are you going?”
“To live on the island. I’ve been saving up to build my dream home.”
“How exciting,” Annie said
“I could use a woman’s touch when it comes to design elements,” Jack said.
“I’m sure your mother would be delighted to help you.”
“I was hoping you’d help me. I don’t want to ask my mother.”
&nbs
p; “You want me to help you decorate your home?”
“If you would.”
“Jack, I’d be happy to. I love to decorate. I was just telling Buffy tonight that it may be time for us to give up the apartment and find a house with a yard. We’ve outgrown this space,” she said.
“And what did Buffy say?” Jack laughed into the phone.
“Stop messing me with, Jack Powell. I know where you live and I can tell your mother,” Annie said, snorting in the phone and waking up Buffy.
Chapter 20
It had been ages since Annie got together with her girlfriends. Scheduling lunch dates proved more difficult with each passing month. Jessica just had a baby, Cassie was pregnant and finishing her second trimester, and then there was Vicky, knee-deep in her wedding preparations. When Vicky accepted Annie’s lunch invitation, Annie couldn’t believe her ears.
“Oh, Vicky,” Annie said, spreading her arms wide.
“Girl, it’s been way too long. It’s so good to see you.”
“I can’t wait to hear about your wedding plans. Are you stressed yet?”
The two gabbed as the hostess led the way toward their table.
“I’m so stressed. But you know, my new favorite saying is, it is what it is.”
Annie laughed. “I bet. Well, I can’t wait to come and see you two lovebirds finally tie the knot. Soon you’ll be Vicky Collins.”
“Victoria Collins,” Vicky said with a tone of superiority.
“I like the ring of that,” Annie said, nodding.
Vicky fussed to Annie about how picking out the right bridesmaid dresses for Jessica, who’d just given birth and still had a few extra pounds to camouflage, as well as one to accommodate the expanding girth of Cassie’s tummy, challenged her beyond her wildest dreams.
“I’ve selected five different dresses at three different stages of planning my wedding. I’m about to just have you as my only bridesmaid. You’re not pregnant are you?” Vicky teased as she poked at her salad.
“No, I’m not pregnant. I’m hardly seeing anyone.”
Vicky peered up at Annie. “Hardly?”