Louise sat forward. “I’ve found that if you kick it real hard on the bottom, it gets going pretty good.”
Eden nodded and popped a pepperoni in her mouth. “I slam my hand down real good on the top portion. Like I’m squashing a bug or something terribly upsetting. That also seems to get it started.”
Molly grinned at the description. “Well, we shouldn’t have to beat the hell out of it for too much longer. I’ve scheduled Reginald to come out and take a look. Hopefully, it won’t cost too much to fix, but I’ll need to get an estimate.”
Damon raised his hand. “I could take a look at it.”
Eden rolled her eyes. “Please. What do you know about fixing anything? From what I’ve seen, you just break stuff. Broke two dishes just this week.”
He glared at her. “Excuse me, princess high horse, but why don’t you take a step back and worry about things in Hee-Haw while I try and save this place a few extra bucks.”
Eden took a deep breath, but before she could wind up for round two, Molly stepped in. “Whoa, whoa, I think we’re getting off track. Damon, that would be great. Thank you. Eden, it can’t hurt to let him take a look. You never know.” She shrugged in punctuation just as the bell above the door chimed. They all turned in unison in time for Jordan to appear.
“Oh, sorry, guys. Didn’t mean to interrupt. I was just stopping by to see if Molly was free.” She was wearing workout clothes and looked like she’d come from a run. Her hair fell around her shoulders as if she’d just taken it down from a ponytail. Then there was that just-exercised glow about her that only added to that ultra beautiful thing she always seemed to have going. Catching herself, Molly jerked her eyes back to Jordan’s face after they had absent-mindedly trailed down her body.
Too late. Jordan’s eyes widened in recognition of what she’d just done, and a slow smile took shape on her face. Molly sighed internally.
“Actually, we’re in the middle of a staff meeting,” she said.
“I like staff meetings,” Jordan countered.
“Well, you’re in luck then,” Eden chimed in with way too much excitement. “Sit here with us, sugar. We’ll be done in just a bit.”
Damon pulled out the chair next to him and Louise grinned up at Jordan adoringly.
Molly wasn’t having it. No way. “Jordan, maybe I can call you later? I’m sure you have a million things to do.”
Jordan ignored the hint and smiled that devastating smile. The power it carried annoyed her. “I really don’t mind waiting if none of you mind.”
Louise stood. “Absolutely not. How about a brownie, Jordan? They’re fresh from the oven just thirty minutes ago, laced with caramel too.”
“Oh. I guess if it’s no trouble. That sounds fantastic. I’m a total caramel fan.”
“No trouble. Oh, and there’s milk,” Eden said, hopping up to get it.
Molly shook her head slightly, but swallowed the frustrated comment on the tip of her tongue. What exactly was Jordan trying to accomplish with this? She waited patiently so Jordan could be appropriately fawned over and attended to like a long lost member of the royal family and then moved on to the next topic on her agenda. As she spoke about the spring menu items, her eyes continued to brush past Jordan. She seemed to be listening attentively, happily even. Damn her. It had been a bold move, crashing their staff meeting, and she seemed quite pleased with herself for having done it.
“And that’s about everything,” she said in conclusion. “Does anyone have any questions about the schedule for our booth at the festival? I’ve tried to work it so that everyone has some available free time to enjoy the fair.”
“Looks good to me,” Eden said, making obvious eye contact with Louise.
Louise stood and elbowed Damon. “Yep, me too. I better head out. C’mon Damon, you can give me a lift home.”
“Sure thing, Ms. Lou-Lou.” He tipped an imaginary cap to Jordan and headed for the door.
“I’ll walk out with you,” Eden said without so much as a look back.
Molly stood in awe. Never had she seen three people clear out of a room so fast in her entire life. Traitors. All of them.
Jordan sat back in her chair. “I was hoping maybe we could see a movie tonight. What do ya say?”
Molly gathered the empty pizza plates. “You crashed my staff meeting.”
Jordan blinked. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d mind. You always let me get away with stuff.”
Molly raised one shoulder. “Well, I did mind today.”
“But in bonus news, you seemed to like my outfit,” Jordan said, totally calling her out.
Molly glared at her. “Yeah, you look great. I especially like the attitude and over confidence you’re wearing. Nice touch.” Hips swaying, she carried the plates through the swinging door to the kitchen, leaving a chilled room in the process.
*
Jordan didn’t know why she was baiting Molly so much. Maybe because ever since they’d kissed, Molly went out of her way to pretend she was invisible. But the once-over Molly gave her when she’d walked in the door said otherwise, and Jordan didn’t plan to ignore those signals any longer.
She pushed up from the table and followed Molly into the kitchen. She found her kicking the hell out of a dishwasher, which was mildly amusing. “Well, you two clearly aren’t getting along. Everything okay?”
Molly shot her a death look. “Yes, Jordan. Everything is fine other than the fact that the damn dishwasher won’t kick into gear.” As Molly geared up for a second assault, Jordan held up a hand and stepped in.
“May I? I don’t think it can take much more.”
Molly blew a strand of hair off her forehead in defeat. “Might as well.”
With gentle hands and one firm push, Jordan was able to reseat the dishwasher and smiled widely at Molly when the sounds of rushing water answered back. “Tada.”
“Congratulations. Even the dishwasher gives you whatever the hell you want.” She didn’t mean it, but Jordan smiled wider, enjoying the game.
“I’ll take that as a compliment. So about the movie?”
“You’re not listening. No movie.”
“Because you’re avoiding me.”
“Because I’m exhausted.”
“We can watch one together at your place. Or mine, but seeing as how it’s a couple hours away in Chicago, it might make it a long night. So maybe yours.”
“I think I need some alone time tonight.”
Feeling alive for the first time in so long, Jordan took a step into Molly, effectively trapping her between the counter and her body. Molly’s eyes widened and she inhaled noticeably as Jordan placed her hands on her waist, her thumbs possessively across Molly’s abdomen. Her eyes took a pass at Jordan’s mouth and she knew, just knew, Molly was thinking about that kiss. “Are you sure?” Jordan asked quietly, dipping her head, already so close to Molly’s mouth. She remembered how it felt on hers just a few nights ago.
Molly nodded slowly, but the way her eyes fixated on Jordan’s lips left room for question. They hovered there for a moment, breathing in the same air. The tension was thick. Jordan felt it all over.
Molly spoke just above a whisper. “I can’t do this with you, Jordan. What would that say about me? What kind of person I am?” Slowly, Jordan slid her hand into Molly’s hair. It felt like spun silk on her skin.
“That you’re human. That you feel things. What are you feeling right now?” She returned her hands to Molly’s waist and inched them slowly up her rib cage, stopping only when her thumbs came just beneath her breasts, tracing the curve below.