Chapter 23
GINGER
“Merry Christmas Eve to all of you,” I say, smiling at my friends. “Thank you for coming to Laugh a Latte’s second annual Christmas cookie decorating party. I’ve baked more options for you to choose from than I did last year.”
“That’s because last year someone”—Willow points at Reed—“ate half the dough before it made it to the oven.” Laughter echoes through the room.
Reed raises both his hands. “Guilty. But I’ll make up for it by decorating the best cookie tonight.”
“Oh, sure,” Nina teases. “Nothing will redeem you better than an over-frosted snowman.”
I clear my throat, gaining everyone’s attention again. “This year, I’m upping the stakes. You’ll each pick one of your cookies to enter in the ‘best cookie competition,’ and at the end of the night, we’ll vote for a winner. The prize will be bragging rights and some Laugh a Latte merchandise.”
The guys groan and the girls cheer. Drew starts strategizing about icing techniques. Willow claims she’s artistically challenged but secretly pulls up inspirational pictures on her phone.
“Take a seat and get started. Be creative, and have fun.”
Earlier, I pushed four tables together and then covered them with a white vinyl cloth in case of any icing mishaps.
Jordan nudges his arm into mine. “You’d make a great teacher.”
I laugh. “I’m not that patient.” I hold my arm up, getting everyone’s attention. “One more thing. I have hot chocolate and coffee. Let me know which one you’d like.”
“Hot chocolate.” Reed shouts his order at me.
Willow smacks his arm. “Say please.”
“Please,” he adds.
“I’ll find out what Travis and Drew want,” Jordan says, moving in their direction.
I get Nina’s and Willow’s orders, and head behind the counter to get started. As the hot chocolate flows into the cup, John Mellencamp sings about seeing his mother kissing Santa Claus. It’s impossible to keep my hips still while listening to the lively tune.
Jordan comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my stomach. “What do we have here?” He buries his nose in the crook of my neck, and I feel his lips move against my skin as he answers his own question. “A dancing angel.”
“That must make you the devil who corrupted me.”
He chuckles deeply. “I’ll spend eternity in hell to have you now.”
“Wow. That’s both romantic and terrifying.”
“Terrifying’s a small price to be with you.”
“Hey!” Reed shouts. “Less flirting and more hot chocolate making.”
“Do you believe this asshole?” Jordan asks, shifting to stand beside me.
I nod, but I’m smiling as I add whipped cream and shake out some colored sprinkles on top. I press a cover on and hand it to Jordan. “You can handle the delivery.”
“I’m feeling clumsy today. I hope I don’t spill any on him.”
I raise an eyebrow. “That will only make more work for me.”
He sighs. “Yeah, that’s true. I’ll resist the temptation this time.”
“Your soul will thank you someday,” I joke.
“Says the angel.” He winks at me and then walks off.
I prepare hot chocolate for Willow and Nina, which goes much faster without Jordan distracting me. When he returns, I nod toward the two cups. “Can you please bring those to the girls?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grins.
“What did Travis and Drew want?” I ask.
“Travis wants coffee, no cream, and Drew wants hot chocolate.” He picks up the cups and walks away.
I quickly prepare the remaining drinks, and once again, Jordan handles the delivery. I make gingerbread coffees for us and snap lids on top.
“Here.” I hand one to Jordan.
“Thanks.”
“I forgot to ask you what you wanted. I hope coffee’s okay.”
“I’m addicted to it now. Can you make me gingerbread coffee year-round?” he asks, looking hopeful. “Can that be one of the perks of being your boyfriend?”
I stare at him for a moment, as if I’m thinking it over. “It’s a seasonal thing, but I suppose I can make an exception for you.”
He pumps his fist. “Yes.”
“Let’s go join the party. I need to see if your cookie decorating skills are as good as all your other skills.”
He groans under his breath. “Don’t get me started, or I’ll drag you out back and there’ll be no cookie decorating.”
“Don’t tease me,” I say.
He groans again and slaps my ass. “Vixen.”
Laughing, I sit next to Willow and Nina while Jordan takes a seat across from me with his brothers.
“Ginger, the hot chocolate is delicious,” Drew tells me.
“I’m glad you think so.”
I sit back for a few minutes, listening to everyone’s chatter and watching them work on their cookies. It’s nice just to take it all in. This is what Laugh a Latte is all about for me—a place for people to relax or to spend some time with family and friends.
“Can we have a dirty snowman contest, Ginger?” Reed asks.
I shrug. “If there’s a demand for it.”
“Anyone else giving their snowman a twig and berries?” Reed glances at his brothers, and they shake their heads. “Looks like I’m in a class of my own, as usual.” He grins.
“Thank God. You’re one of a kind,” Willow drolls.
His grin widens. “Did you compliment me, Will?”
She rolls her eyes. “You would take that as a compliment.”
“Are you going to decorate some cookies?” Nina asks me.
“I get to do this all the time. I’m enjoying hanging out and watching everyone else.”
“Clearly, you need more patience than I have to do this,” Willow states, groaning.
“Decorating a cookie doesn’t take nearly the skill set or patience that being a mechanic does,” I correct her.
“Maybe not, but right now it sure feels like it does.” She grimaces.
“The best thing about decorating cookies is even if they’re ugly, they still taste great,” Nina chimes in.
I nod. “That’s true.”
“So, are you two making your Thorne family dinner debut tomorrow?” Travis asks, glancing between Jordan and me.
“Yep, we are,” Jordan says, winking at me.
My stomach bubbles anxiously. “Ugh. Can we not talk about this right now?”
Reed taps Jordan’s arm. “She’s getting cold feet already.”
“No, I’m not,” I protest. “But I don’t like being the center of attention.”
“Mom’s gonna geek out over it,” Drew says, laughing. “She’ll be so excited Jordan finally has a girlfriend.”
Groaning, I shake my head. “Oh God.”
Jordan sends me a sympathetic glance. “G, don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”
“If my mom gets out of control, we can wrangle her back in for you,” Drew says.
“Thanks.”
“Hey, I’m not gonna discourage her. She’s been waiting forever for this moment,” Reed tells us.
“We’ll remember that when you bring a girlfriend home someday,” Jordan says.
Willow makes a choking sound. “Like that would happen. Who could put up with him for more than a week?”
“Now you’ve insulted yourself, Will,” Reed points out. “You’ve been ‘putting up’ with me for years.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Drew’s the spoiled youngest child of the family. It’s time for him to do his part and bring someone home,” Jordan suggests, smirking. “We know nothing will make Mom happier than her little baby finding love.”
Drew ignores him and keeps decorating the Santa cookie.
“Whatever happened with your mystery girl?” Reed asks.
Drew’s head snaps up, eyes narrowing and firing daggers at him.
“Oh, was that supposed to be a secret?” Reed smirks. “My bad.”
“Drew, Drew, Drew. Have you been holding out on us?” Willow eagerly jumps at the chance to prod more details from him.
He smiles, shaking his head. “There’s nothing to tell. I met a girl one night at the end of the summer and haven’t seen her since.”
“She must’ve made quite an impression if you’re still thinking about her,” Nina says.
“Who said I’m still thinking about her?”
“You told me about her a couple of weeks ago,” Reed says.
Drew lets out a sharp laugh. “Guess I’ll never make that mistake again.”
“Yes, you will.” Jordan pats him on the back. “And it’s okay, dude. I’ve done it too. We want to believe Reed’s a better person than he is, so we confide in him and then feel regretful when he proves he’s an asshole.”
“Hey! I’m not that bad,” Reed grumbles in defense.
“I’m sure you have some redeeming qualities. I just can’t think of any right now.” Jordan points to Drew. “Can you?”
Drew shakes his head with mock seriousness. “Not a one.”
Reed flips both middle fingers up. “Fuck off, both of you.”
Jordan and Drew laugh at his rude gesture, and I find myself chuckling along with them. I love how close the brothers are and how they mercilessly tease one another. It’s definitely entertaining to watch.
When the cookies have all been frosted and everyone has submitted their best one for the contest, I line them up in a row.
I take a minute to look them over carefully.
Reed’s snowman is better than I imagined.
He gave him a green scarf, a heart tattoo on his chest, and he made him anatomically correct.
“As much as it pains me to say this, the winner of the Second Annual Cookie Decorating Contest is… Reed.”
“Yes!” He punches a fist in the air. “Fuck yeah!”
“As disturbing as your snowman is, your attention to detail is impressive.”
Nina studies the cookie through squinted eyes. “Would a snowman be circumcised?”
“Maybe we can change the subject,” Travis suggests, wrapping his arm around Nina.
“What’s my prize?” Reed asks, rubbing his hands together.
I point toward the shelves. “Pick any three items you’d like.”
“Awesome. This will help me finish my Christmas shopping. Will, which color do you like?”
She glares at him. “I already bought a sweatshirt from Ginger, like any supportive friend should do.”
Reed laughs. “Calm down, Will. I’m joking. I got you a bangin’ gift you’re gonna love. I think I outdid myself.”
She rolls her eyes. “Is this something I’ll like or something you like and think I should have?”
He pokes her side, making her jump. “All I’m going to say is I’m positive you’ll love it.” He turns to peruse the merchandise. He removes a cap, pulling it down on his head, then grabs a travel mug.
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t wait to find out what this gift is,” Nina says.