She let out a breath and surveyed her work. There were plates full of a half dozen different flavors of truffles. Oversized white chocolate dipped pretzels dried on the rack next to coconut macaroons, which were hanging out with a platter of giant chocolate chip cookies. Now those had come out nicely. And the pièce de résistance, the chocolate marble birthday cake, was baking snugly in the oven. Or at least the third layer of it was.
No one at this birthday party was going to find the dessert table lacking in any capacity. Fully aware of the reputation she planned to live up to, she had conquered sugar township and all the surrounding territories.
To accompany her efforts, she’d put on some sultry blues from her iPod, and the tunes inspired her to sway her hips ever so slightly. And to reward her hard work, she celebrated with a glass of Tempranillo, her new favorite red wine blend. It was true she still had the chocolate covered strawberries to make, followed by some clean up, but she allowed herself a few minutes to revel in her success.
“Check it out, Rover.” She indicated the stash of goodies with a tilt of her head. “Bet you couldn’t have done all of that.” He continued to swim laps. She raised a shoulder. “Well, you couldn’t.”
She slid a glance at the clock. It was a little past four o’clock, and if her calculations were correct, Damon should be finishing up his other deliveries and would be by soon with the apple caramel shots Louise had prepared for the party. She would need to make room in the refrigerator in her garage if she wanted to—
The sound of the doorbell stopped her mid thought. Perfect. Right on time.
She swung the door open to the tray of small shot glasses, but as she raised her gaze, her breath caught. Because it was Jordan who stood there, offering the most welcome smile in history. Her hair was pulled into a stylish ponytail that looked the perfect addition to her slim fitting jeans and the dark red thermal top. “Delivery,” she said with a little tilt of her head.
Molly’s mouth fell open and her heart stuttered in her chest. Because it really was the most fantastic surprise ever. They stood there smiling at each other stupidly before Molly found her voice. “How did you—What are you doing here?”
“Bringing you these.” She glanced down at the tray. “Whatever these are.”
She took the tray from Jordan. “Caramel apple shots. Now get in here right now so I can make a big deal out of you.”
“I’ve always liked attention.”
Molly followed Jordan into the house, her insides doing a happy dance at this latest development. She set the tray on the counter and turned in time to find herself pulled into Jordan’s arms for a scorching kiss. She was grateful Jordan had a firm hold on her because her knees just about went to Jell-O.
“Sorry. I’ve been waiting to do that all week.”
“True story?” Molly murmured against her mouth, going in for more.
“Mhmm,” she said. “And worth the wait.”
Molly tilted her head and studied Jordan. “But really, how is it that you’re here right now? Explain yourself.”
“I pulled a couple of all-nighters and made a satisfactory dent in the planning for the company, which I should tell you has a name now.”
“And you’re just now mentioning this? You should have called with news like that. What is it?”
“Journey Production Group. Because essentially, that’s what this whole thing has been for me, a journey. And these last two months have been what I hope is just the beginning.”
Molly nodded as she took it in, understanding the meaning. “I love it, Jordan. I really do.”
She smiled. “Thank you. But as far as my early arrival goes, I do have one request. Don’t tell my parents that I came to town early. They’ll be pissed I didn’t spend the time at their place and right now, I just—” She broke off as something snagged her attention. She looked past Molly in mystification. “What in the world have you been doing in here to make it smell so wonderful? Are you harboring Keebler elves?”
“No elves. There are elfin labor laws. You’re probably smelling chocolate chip cookies, truffles, macaroons—” She didn’t get to continue her list because Jordan was already gone, investigating the overflowing trays like a six-year-old on Christmas morning. “Halt right there. Back away from the tasty treats.”
Jordan froze with a cookie halfway to her lips. “No cookie?”
“Nope.” Her face fell, and Molly forced herself not to laugh because it was possibly the most adorable look she’d ever seen. “Sorry, Charlie. Those are strictly for tomorrow.”
“But I drove a long way and these are still oh so warm.”
It was too much. The large sorrowful puppy dog eyes, the pouty mouth, the little furrowed brow. It wasn’t like she was made of steel. She took a deep breath as her resolve crumbled. “Okay. You can have one. But then I close up shop until tomorrow at the party. Are we agreed?”
“Mhmm,” Jordan said through her mouthful of cookie. She hadn’t exactly waited.
“So what’s the verdict?” But Molly already knew. She’d mastered the art of the chocolate chip cookie when she was sixteen and never looked back. She could make them in her sleep. And when they were served warm, they were like circular crack.
Jordan leaned back against the counter. “I love this cookie. This cookie and I were made for each other.”
“Well, don’t forget I was instrumental in your meeting.”
“You can be in our wedding.”
There were still strawberries that needed to be dipped, but in the moment, Molly didn’t find them so important. She wanted to spend time with Jordan. Talk to her. Touch her. All of it. So they did what they loved to do. Picked out a movie and snuggled in on the couch together. Jordan let Molly do the choosing this time, and she selected one of her all-time favorites, Serendipity . There was something about the concept of two people fated for each other that she found utterly captivating. So they settled in and watched as John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale navigated the world’s obstacles until they could finally come together the way they were always meant to.
As the movie played on, they’d moved closer and closer together on the couch, until Molly lay with her head tucked into Jordan’s shoulder. Cozy was an understatement. Comfortable was too common a description for the perfect way they seemed to fit together, even in these casual moments. With Jordan there with her again, Molly felt her whole world perk up.
As the credits scrolled the screen, she pushed herself up and looked back at Jordan, gently brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Do you believe in that stuff?”
“What stuff are we talking about?”
Molly tossed her head in the direction of the screen. “Fate. The concept that two people can be destined for each other?”
She thought for a moment. “I think I do believe that. What about you?”
“It’s a nice idea, but I don’t know, maybe it’s just a grand romantic notion that someone once thought up.” She thought about it for a moment. “But even if that’s the case, it’s nice to think about, isn’t it? Pretend.”
“Hey, don’t count out romantic notions.”
Molly smiled and stole a slow kiss. “I like that you’re a romantic. A dreamer type. Very sexy.”
Jordan looked skyward. “Yeah, well, I dream a lot .”
“And while I hate to break this up or move from this incredibly wonderful spot, I have a little more work to do tonight. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Is there anything I can do?”
“Um, maybe in a little bit. Why don’t you bring your stuff inside, get settled? Relax.” And then a thought occurred to her. Maybe she was being too presumptuous here. “That is, if you were planning to stay here tonight. I didn’t mean to assume, and you don’t have to feel—” She blew out a breath. “This is stupid. Go get your stuff. You’re staying.”