How Sweet It Is

by Brayden, Melissa

  “Irrelevant.”

  Eden stared at her, clearly confused. “Let me make sure I understand. It’s not that you don’t like Jordan; it’s that she’s related to Cassie. Did Cassie hate Jordan or something?”

  “What? No, of course not. It just feels wrong, what happened. And I don’t know how to fix it. Tell me you know how. I need guidance here.”

  “I don’t know that you need to fix it. Little sister is hot and Cassie would want you to be happy. Maybe this little spark is something worth exploring.”

  Molly couldn’t believe the lunacy of what she was hearing. “You’re crazy. Absolutely zero chance of that happening. But I can’t avoid her forever and I don’t want to. We have fun together, and things feel, I don’t know, better since she’s been home. A lot.”

  “Well, then you’re going to have to be a big girl about this. Face her head on. Talk about what happened and get it out there on the table. Take the bull by the horns.”

  Molly nodded, marinating on the advice. “Take the bull by the horns. Got it. I just have to summon my courage and face her. Put everything on the table and get things back to normal.”

  “Or put her on the table and—”

  “Eden!” Molly shouted, appalled.

  The door opened and Louise held a ticket in the air. “Delivery called in for the clinic’s staff meeting. Two dozen bombshell brownies. Damon should be back from the high school drop-off soon.”

  “Um, that’s okay.” Molly grabbed the ticket from Louise nonchalantly. “I can deliver this one.”

  “That-a-girl,” Eden said. “By the horns.”

  She nodded and rolled her shoulders, warrior style.

  She could do this. It didn’t have to be that big a deal. She’d seen Days of Our Lives . People kissed all the time. She’d survive this.

  *

  It took a certain amount of patience to work in the medical profession, and it consistently amazed Jordan how her family was able to do it. That morning alone, they’d treated upward of twenty-five patients with appointments, and another eight walk-ins. And instead of scooping up their prescription and heading out, they all wanted to chat about their week, their son, their wife, or how many football games the high school was on track to win this year.

  Not only was it exhausting, it was starting to back up the schedule Jordan was put in charge of monitoring. She’d decided that while she was in town she would help out at the clinic as much as possible, and with a missing receptionist, she saw her opportunity. She could hang at the clinic for a few hours each day. She’d missed her family, and this was a great way to maybe reconnect, make up for the time she’d stayed away. So she was a rather successful producer in the film industry, she wasn’t above answering a few phones for the dueling doctors.

  “What’s up, tiger?” Mikey asked, after saying good-bye to his latest patient. He pulled her ear as he passed behind the desk. Her brother practiced at a medical group in Andersville, but devoted two days a week to working in their parents’ clinic. Good thing too, as having a third doctor in-house helped alleviate some of the pressure on their parents. Mikey was a good guy that way.

  “Ow. Leave my ears alone.”

  “No way. As your brother, it’s my job in life to tug on your ears. What’s up next?” He leaned on the counter as Jordan consulted the computerized appointment book.

  “You have Mrs. Fitzsimmons’ sore throat at noon and then the staff meeting after lunch. That’s when I make my crafty getaway. Jackson can take the desk.”

  “What? You don’t want to hang out for clinic policies and procedures?”

  “Sounds riveting, but I’m a volunteer. This right here”—she gestured to the room around her—“is out of the goodness of my heart.”

  “So benevolent.”

  Jordan grinned proudly. “Get it while you can.”

  The bell above the door rang and they turned. Jordan expected to see yet another patient or maybe Damon with the delivery they’d called in for the staff meeting. But she was wrong.

  Molly’s eyes held hers only briefly before fluttering to Mikey. “Hey, you two. What’s with all the standing around? Shouldn’t there be some work getting done around here?” She smiled at them, but it didn’t quite take over her face the way Molly’s smiles usually did.

  When Jordan had left Molly’s house the night before, she’d walked the neighborhood, working through the sequence of events. As many times as she’d imagined kissing Molly, the reality of it, of her, had been so much more than she’d ever planned on. She didn’t know what had come over her and caused her to actually act on her impulse, but she did know that as their lips met, all bets seemed off.

  Everything had faded away except for the sharp need that left her wonderfully breathless. She could still feel what it was like to have Molly’s lips on hers, the weight of her on her lap, the intoxicating scent of the raspberry shampoo she used.

  The exchange had rocked her. And though it had ended horribly, she couldn’t quite get past the fact that for a few precious moments, Molly had kissed her back. In even more impressive news, she was probably the world’s best kisser.

  But as she’d walked on, she’d remembered Molly’s words and the conviction with which she’d said them. “It’s not okay. You’re Cassie’s sister.” And no matter how exciting those few moments had been, she could never change the facts in the scenario. Molly couldn’t see her for who she was, only her connection to Cassie.

  Mikey moved to Molly and kissed her cheek with a loud smack. “What is this? Have we moved up in the world? Since when does the esteemed owner of Flour Child personally deliver to little old us?”

  “I make exceptions for special people.” She handed him the pink box of brownies. “Out of the oven ten minutes ago. Still warm and amazing.”

  “You’re my favorite sister-in-law. Have I told you that?”

  “First time today.”

  “Then I’m slacking.” He inclined his head to the break room. “I’ll drop these off on my way to catch up on my charts. Thanks, Molly.”

  “No problem.”

  And they were alone.

  Molly eyed her a moment. There was that slight smile again. “So, hey. How are you this morning, Jordan? I trust you’re well.”

  I trust you’re well? Were they now characters in a Jane Austen novel and she’d failed to be notified? Since when did they speak so formally to each other? Oh, this didn’t bode well. “I’m fine. Just a little worried about the fact that you’re talking to me like we’re at high tea.”

  Molly exhaled and shook her head. “I know. That was weird. Agreed. But I don’t want to be weird. Listen, Jordan, I don’t know how we wound up…”

  “Making out on the couch,” Jordan supplied, when it was clear Molly couldn’t actually say the words.

  She winced. “Right. God. I don’t know how that happened. Trust me, I fully accept my share of the blame, but I think we can both agree that it was a really bad idea.” Jordan nodded because she could tell it was what Molly needed. “And the last thing in the world that I want is for things to be awkward between us. We’re important to each other and I need that.”

  “I promise, nothing has to be weird. It’s just me. Same old Jordan.”

  Molly held her gaze steadily and Jordan watched as those caramel eyes slowly softened. “Yeah, it is.” The moment lingered, and no one said anything until Molly seemed to shake herself out of whatever trance had wrapped around them. “So we’re okay, then? Business as usual?”

  Jordan lifted a shoulder and regarded her seriously. “Unless you plan to renege on our baked goods arrangement. Then we have problems.”

  Massive relief washed across Molly’s face. “No, I think I can come through on that one. Oh, and come by the bakeshop tomorrow. I want you to try something.”

  “You’re on.”

  It was still there, Jordan noted. That crackle between them that had emerged so aggressively the night before, was still simmering just below the surface. She wou
ld ignore it if that’s what Molly wanted, but that didn’t make it any less real.

  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.

  Chapter Nine

  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 pu
t 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.