Chapter 21
21
Molly had relived that passionate kiss repeatedly since Saturday. His hands on her face, his warmth, and the emotion he stirred as he commanded her attention in the most carnal of ways. The man could kiss, she’d give him that.
Logically, she knew the smart decision was to keep her distance, but despite her pretending otherwise, her interest in Chef Sinclair had definitely inched up a notch.
Molly parked outside the patisserie and cut the engine. It was now Tuesday morning, and she’d not heard a word from Jake since Saturday, not even a text.
Inside, the smell of frosted decadence immediately elevated her mood as Janice greeted her with a warm smile. “What can I get you, love?”
The day before, Molly had washed and ironed the apron and put it in a paper bag ready for delivery. She offered it across the counter. “Would you mind giving this to Jake? It’s just an apron I borrowed.”
“Of course. He’s in a meeting, but I can call him to see how long he’ll be.”
“No, it’s okay.”
Molly was about ready to order a mini quiche for lunch when, in her peripheral vision, a couple appeared from the kitchen. She scarcely had time to register their presence before Alexia rushed forward and kissed her on both cheeks.
“ Ohmygosh, Molly, it’s so lovely to see you. After the bake-off, I assumed you wouldn’t want to come near this place.” She leaned forward and whispered so no one else could hear, “Jake can be such an asshole. Just beware.”
A wave of confusion swept over Molly as Jake caught her eye and frowned.
“Anyways, I have to fly.” Alexia turned to Jake. “Think about what I said. I’ll touch base next week. Bye, Molly. Let’s do coffee soon, yes?”
With Jake now standing beside her, Alexia dashing out the door, and Janice watching on with interest, Molly didn’t know where to look.
“You’re in early today,” he said with a smile that sent her straight back to Saturday afternoon and that kiss on her doorstep.
“Only to return your apron.”
He nodded. “Do you have time for a drink? I could do with a break after the morning I’ve had.”
“Umm… okay.” She swallowed hard, her physical reaction to him surprising in its intensity. “Peppermint tea, thanks.”
“Anything to eat?”
“No, I’m good.” In truth, Molly had never been able to eat in front of people when nervous, and for some reason, the sight of Jake and Alexia together unsettled her.
Just beware.
He canted his head toward the courtyard. “Grab a table, and I’ll be right back.”
Apart from a group of women drinking coffees in their activewear, the courtyard was empty. Not long after Molly had taken a seat, Jake appeared, carrying a tray set with cups, saucers, and a teapot, which he placed in the center of the table.
She watched as he poured the tea, but neither spoke until they’d both taken a sip.
“So, your day’s not going so well?” she asked, breaking the ice.
He rubbed the back of his neck and released a sigh. “Let’s just say the last thing I needed was a visit from Alexia this morning. I thought she might have had a change of heart about Jesse’s will, but she didn’t even mention it. Now she wants me to be her plus-one at some launch that’s coming up.”
Molly suppressed a pang of jealousy. Whether or not he’d accepted Alexia’s invitation, she couldn’t tell. “Sounds like fun.”
Jake huffed. “Doesn’t it just?”
“You guys dated once, didn’t you?”
He snapped to attention. “Who told you that?”
“She did.”
“Well, I guess you could call it dating. We met in high school. I fell hard, Lex played harder, and then, after confessing her love for me on my birthday, she broke my heart by dumping me for some guy I went to preschool with.” He sipped his tea. “It was traumatic.”
She relaxed. “Aww. My heart bleeds for you.”
“Is that right? Tell me the words ‘lucky escape’ aren’t on the tip of your tongue right now.”
“Not at all. I like Alexia. She’s fun.” As Molly topped up her tea from the pot, she was certain she heard him snort under his breath. “Was that how your mother and her dad met? Through the two of you?”
“Kind of. Our parents have known each other socially for years. After my parents’ divorce, an also newly single Robert made a move on Mum. They dated on and off for a while, but I don’t think she’s seen much of him lately.
“He asked her to marry him once—wanted her to become the next Mrs. Robert Cunningham—but Mum said no. She’d spent almost thirty years pandering to my father and had no desire to repeat the process, or change her name.”
“Marriage—it’s not for the fainthearted, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, I don’t know. It has its advantages, especially for men.” Jake set his cup on the saucer. “I’d like to try it someday.”
Molly stared at him in disbelief. She’d never met a guy who’d confess to wanting marriage, and while, statistically, she knew the institution could be more beneficial to the male half of the species, most men were reluctant to admit the fact. “But you and Alexia are close?”
He shrugged. “Nope. And Jesse had no time for her either. He always was a better judge of character than me.”
“So why would she contest his will if she has no legal relationship to him?”
“Who knows? Jealousy perhaps. I stopped trying to figure her out a long time ago.” Jake checked his watch, then drained his cup. “And on that note, I should get back to work.”
“Of course.” She stood. “Thanks for the tea.”
“My pleasure.”
They walked through the main doors and out to her Vitara at the curb. He turned to face her, the sound of the breakers a soothing accompaniment to the noise in her head. “And don’t worry about Mum. She’ll calm down after a while.”
Molly nodded, but after the way his mother had reacted, she doubted the woman would ever “calm down.”
He leaned forward and kissed her on both cheeks. Suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, Molly pressed her lips together.
“Hey.” Jake brushed a lock of hair back from her face. “It’s going to be okay.”
“Is it? I hate confrontation, and sometimes, this adulting business is hard work.”
“It can be.” He opened the car door for her. “What are you up to this weekend?”
“I have a family dinner Saturday night, and not sure about Sunday.”
“Same. Shall I call you on Sunday then?”
Molly slipped into the driver’s seat and fastened her safety belt. “Sure.”
Jake continued to hold her attention as he entwined the fingers of one hand with hers. “So you understand what’s happening here?”
She hesitated. “I think so.”
“No confusion?”
Molly shook her head.
A slow smile warmed his features. “Good.”