“No. It’s just, I’ll be at the movies, too. With Jeff. I doubt Charlie and Jeff will want to share popcorn.”
Jane smiled. “Probably not. We’re seeing that new romantic comedy about the guardian angels who fall in love while helping their charges fall in love.”
“Angelic Encounters?” Elsie tried not to be jealous. Jeff had laughed when she’d suggested it. They were going to see some teenage slasher film instead. The theater only had four screens, leaving few choices.
***
Will strode up the walkway to his family home and pulled out his key. He never stayed long, but it was nice to be somewhere he could truly feel like himself. He opened the door and breathed deeply, taking in the faint smell of lemon-scented furniture polish and the stronger scent of baking bread. Already, he could feel his blood pressure lowering.
“Will, is that you?” Gianna called from the kitchen.
“Yes, it’s me.” He hurried around to greet her and bent down to give her a hug.
She pressed her cheek to his, but kept her arms out wide. “Sorry, my hands are covered in flour or I’d give you a proper hug.”
“Smells good.” He looked down at the bread dough she was forming and pinched off a piece. “Are you making this for me?”
“Maybe.” She slapped his hand before he could take more. “I don’t know how you can eat raw dough. Gross. If you’ll wait two minutes, the first two loaves are almost ready to come out.”
“Why are you making so much?”
She blushed. “Oh, I was going to take some over to a friend. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll be back in time for dinner. I’m just dropping it off.”
Will put his hand on her arm. “If you have other plans, it won’t bother me. I’m a big kid. I can take care of myself.”
“No, really. He doesn’t know I’m coming so I might be leaving it at the door. But Dallin mentioned the other day how much he liked homemade bread.”
“Dallin?”
Gianna wouldn’t look him in the eye. “He’s on my wheelchair basketball team. And he’s been helping me with my shot. Do you know how embarrassing it is to miss the hoop by several feet?”
Will raised an eyebrow. “Last time I checked, helping a girl with her shot was code for putting the moves on her.” He couldn’t help teasing, but he felt bad when Gianna’s face dropped.
“He has a girlfriend.”
“I’m sorry, Gianna. That could change though. People break up all the time.”
She shook her head. “He’s just being nice. And I’m so shy, it’s actually easier to talk to him knowing he’s off limits. There’s another guy I’d like to get to know better if I wasn’t so tongue-tied all the time.” She wiped off her hands and pulled on oven mitts as the timer went off.
“I’ll get that,” Will offered.
Gianna shook her head. “You went to all the trouble of having the appliances lowered in here. Let me show off my appreciation.”
Will waited and took the piping hot pan from Gianna, and then flipped it over on the table, patting it until the loaf popped out. “So, Dallin is like your practice guy.”
“You will not let this go, will you?” Gianna did the same with the second loaf before wrapping it in a decorative towel and sticking it in a basket she’d prepared.
“Looks great. I’m sure he’ll love it. Why not send one to tongue-tied guy, too?”
“Will, you are pushing your luck. Besides, I need you to break into that other loaf and taste it, make sure it’s okay.”
Will pulled off a hunk, not bothering with a bread knife, and stuck it in his mouth. What he could taste of it before his taste buds burned off was delicious. “Mm hmm. Do you want me to go with? I could drive.” He tried to sound casual about it, but she read between the lines anyway.
“Will, I like driving. Yes, it’s a pain to take apart my chair and put it back together every time, but you have no idea how much happier I am knowing I don’t have to ask for help. I don’t have to wait on anyone except me.” She picked up her purse and wheeled her way down the hall, although she let Will get the heavy door to the garage and hold it open for her. “Besides, Caroline’s coming to dinner, and she’ll be here any minute.”
“What?” Will followed Gianna out to the garage. “She invited herself, didn’t she?”
Gianna grinned. “I may have mentioned you were coming home for a few days, and suddenly her schedule cleared up. She’s bringing me a Chanel purse she doesn’t want anymore. I’ll make dinner in exchange for a five thousand dollar purse any day.”
