With a sigh, I send a thumbs up emoji. I’ll wear the stupid dress. Mostly so I didn’t have to rifle through Lola’s closet again for the rest of the wedding events, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting Kate overhaul my entire closet. I like splurging on nice shoes or purses because I can use them all the time. I don’t go to enough events to justify sixteen expensive cocktail dresses. Three, though, I think I can manage.
As I lock the screen and move to set my phone down, another text alert pops up.
Lola: I’m going to be a little late. Got caught up at home
Jane: don’t need to know about your alone time with Kai
Jane: just let me know when you’re on your way
Lola: ????
With my hands on my hips, I look around the kitchen, my eyes landing on my ingredients on the counter and my to-do list beside it. I have so much to bake, I think I’ll have to spend all day today in the kitchen to finish it all in time.
But this is for Kate. And Jason, I suppose. I’d do anything for her, including spending my Saturday burning my fingers by taking hot cookies off baking trays and making a ridiculous amount of bite-sized desserts.
No sense in waiting for Lola with all I have to do. I might as well get started and she can just jump in when she’s here. I lift my baby blue stand mixer onto the counter and set the mixing bowl in place. I toss the softened butter in and hit the button for it to mix.
When a knock sounds at the door, I glance at the clock, then breathe a massive sigh of relief. Thank god, Lola is here. I was lying when I said I could handle it all on my own. I desperately need her help. Taking the few steps across my tiny apartment, I open the door only to freeze dead in my tracks.
I hate how Reid’s blue-gray eyes make the air leave my lungs. And I especially hate the way when they lift from the bag dangling from his hands to my own gaze, that it makes my heart rate spike.
“You’re not Lola,” I say.
“Great observation.”
“Sorry, I meant what do you think you’re doing here and also how did you get my address?”
He lifts the bag. “Dropping off dishes and I got it from Kate.”
“Great. Now I have to move so you can never find me again.”
With a huffed laugh, he steps around me and saunters into my apartment. I spin around, hand still on the doorknob so the door opens wider.
“Hey! I didn’t say you could come in.” I gesture a hand to the open door, not so subtly telling him to get out.
He looks at me over his broad shoulder, his lips hitching up in the corner. “I’m just dropping off dishes, not trying to hang out. Relax.” He sets the bag on my tiny dining table shoved up against the wall and turns toward the running mixer. It’s almost like the foodie in him can’t stay away from someone making something in the kitchen because he steps to it like a moth to a flame. “What are you doing?” he asks.
I begrudgingly drop the doorknob and shut the door. I don’t need neighbors thinking this is an open invitation. I walk over and stand next to him, crossing my arms over my chest. “Baking.”
“For fun?”
“No, Sherlock, for the shower.”
The shower is tomorrow, Jane.”
“I am well aware, thanks.”
He leans over the counter and peers inside the mixer. “There’s only butter in here.”
“Yes, that’s usually how I start cake.”
Reid’s head whips toward mine, eyes wide in alarm. “I’ve been preparing food all week and you’rejuststarting all this?”
I thankfully have cookies and cupcakes thawing on the counter from the freezer so I can frost them later, but I don’t feel like I owe him an explanation. And I desperately want to prove to him that I can pull together all the things I promised Kate in a short period of time, thank you very much.
“I’ve been a little bit busy with work this week.”
“Busy knocking into people and shattering plates?”
