Chapter 2
Two
The party lasted longer than Clem had expected.
Her friends sat on every available surface and ate cookies as they waited for the wine buzz to go away.
She enjoyed their company, of course she did.
But as the evening tipped into night, Clem couldn’t help yearning for time alone on her couch watching some sort of sappy Christmas movie.
She looked down at the cookie she was decorating.
She had used the gingerbread woman cookie cutter only once in her orange cardamon cookies.
The rest were snowflakes and stars that had been hastily adorned with silver sprinkles.
But Clem took care with this cookie woman.
She outlined a spaghetti strap mini dress, filling in the space with shiny green sprinkles.
Carefully, she piped a wreath of curls around the cookie’s head.
She piped a cheeky smile under two candy eyes, and stood to look at her handiwork.
“She’s cute,” Jules commented.
“She’s my perfect woman,” Clem laughed. Her laugh faded and she frowned at the cookie.
“Everything okay?”
“What? Oh, yeah.” Clem waved it away. For a second it seemed like the cookie had been glowing, but that was impossible.
It was likely just a sign that she was tired and ready for her time to chill on the couch.
To be honest, her focus was already shifting to what she would have delivered for dinner.
She caught Lily’s eye, sending a silent message. Lily, bless her, caught on immediately.
“Oh, man.” She stood and stretched. “I think it’s time for me to get rolling.”
“Don’t forget to take your plate of cookies,” Clem said before anyone could demure and suggest staying longer. She didn’t want to make them feel rushed or unwelcome, but she was ready for the party to end.
It took another half hour for everyone to gather their things. When Clem closed the door behind her friends, she rested her forehead against the doorframe and drew a deep breath.
Finally, some time for herself.