Instead of baking the cookies now and risking them going stale before the party, I take plenty of notes and decide I’ll try making them myself next week.
As I taste one of the practice cookies, my phone pings with a message.
Easton: Hi Penny. I’m at the club and I was wondering if you could spare an hour or two to meet up.
My first reaction to his text is annoyance. It feels oddly demanding.
Yeah, we are friends. But it’s not like I owe him anything.
Mami looks over my shoulder, and her eyes light up when she sees Easton’s name.
“I heard he was back, but I haven’t actually seen him yet. I’m sure you two have so much to catch up on.”
I shrug, because honestly, I’m not really looking forward to meeting up with him. But I did tell him I’d think about things. And I promised we’d talk.
“I saw him the other day and promised we’d meet up when we had more time to chat. So… I guess the time has come.”
I finish my cookie and silently pray that the ones I bake next week taste just as good.
Penny: Sure! I’ll be there in about an hour.
Easton: *HeartEmoji*
“I’m heading out,” I say as I give Mami a big hug.
“Take care, kiddo. And please say hi to Easton for us.”
“By the way, where’s Dad?”
“He’s at the club. He said he needed to meet with a few investors.”
I frown. Since when does Dad need investors?
“I decided to stay and enjoy my book. And look.” She smiles warmly at me. “I got to spend the afternoon baking with you.”
She hugs me again, and I melt into her embrace.
Maybe I’m biased, but my mom is the best in the whole world.
There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Easton greets the second he sees me.
I smile as we hug.
“You look stunning, Pen.” His eyes gleam with sincerity.
“Thank you,” I say as he helps me to my chair.
The black velvet pants feel soft against my legs with every move, and the silky red blouse tied in a bow at my neck makes me feel festive enough for the season.
As soon as I arrive, one of the staff members escorts me straight to a small table in the main restaurant. At first, I don’t think much of it—people are constantly being guided around the club.
But the second I sit across from Easton, I realize this table is tucked away in one of the quieter corners of the restaurant. Private. Intimate.
More suited for a date than two old friends catching up.
“So, what have you been up to?” I ask, trying to get the conversation going.
