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Deanna and I worked solidly through the morning, only taking a break for lunch. By this time, I feared I’d pass out from lack of food, and I devoured a tray of chicken and avocado sushi Deanna fetched from the local café.
Our little office block was busy today—unusual for a Friday. While we assembled the cupcake mountain, people walked in a steady stream past our unit and up and down the stairs. Part of me was curious to see what was going on, but I kept my focus on the job at hand. In a close-knit city like Wellington, personal recommendations mattered. If we did a good job for Nick Parrish, the chances of us picking up more business were high.
It was only when I went to bring my car to the front that I paid any attention to the activity in the rest of the building. Elaine’s office was closed, as was the little stationary supplies shop. That was normal. Most small businesses finished early on a Friday. Something was going on, though. Men in yellow jackets and hard hats clustered around the bottom of the stairs, poring over a clipboard. Probably remodeling one of the empty units upstairs.
We loaded the cakes into the back of my car, and then locked my office. Deanna would come back for an hour in the morning, to finish up some paperwork, but otherwise we were done with this order.
It was a short drive through the pre-rush-hour traffic to the Intercontinental Hotel, easily the most luxurious in the city, where Nick was throwing his party. The staff at the front desk were ready to meet me and show me to the suite, so we could unpack and stage the cakes on a catering trolley. There were ooohs and aaahs from the partygoers at the sight of the cupcake mountain, and Deanna handed out business cards while I added the finishing touches in the form of fresh flower petals.
Nick arrived and shook our hands. “It looks amazing. Thank you. I’ll be praising your services tonight.”
We walked out on a total high. What a difference from how I felt yesterday. I gave Deanna a quick hug, and we parted ways. She went to the pub, to meet her boyfriend, while I set off up the coast again. Maybe Jasper was my lucky charm. Today was better than I could have planned.
All that, and I was back at the cottage before six in the evening. The night stretched ahead, empty and quiet, and I sat at the kitchen table and wondered what to do with myself. I wanted to celebrate the Parrish order, but who with?
Jasper.
He asked if I was free to exercise again this evening. If he was still keen, I’d do it. Granted, it was almost dark now, but his street was well lit.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I walked up to his house. Lights blazed from the front windows. Someone was home. I knocked on the door, and a cacophony of barking replied. I froze. How did I forget the hounds?
Moments later, Holly opened the door, thankfully without the dogs. “Hello,” she said, a smile on her face. “How are you today? Jas was talking about the exercise routine he’s developing for you.”
“I’m good, thanks. Is he in?”
“Who is it, Hol?” Jasper appeared behind her. It took him a second before he spoke. “Hi, Caitlin.”
This was probably going to be a bad idea, but I took heart from how well the rest of the day went. “Hi. I’m back early and wondered if you were busy?”
They glanced at each other, and I braced myself for his refusal.
“We’re just on our way out,” he said, “but why don’t you join us?”
“Yes. Please, do,” chimed in Holly. “We’re going up to Long Beach for pizza and a couple of drinks.”
Pizza. So far from my diet, it could be a different planet. “I shouldn’t, but thank you.”
“Oh, come on,” said Holly. “We’re kinda celebrating tonight, and it’d be fun with someone else.”
I should have walked away, but I stayed. “What are you celebrating?”
“Zack’s coming home early. He’ll be back on base next week.” She squeezed my arm. “Say you’ll come with us. Jas is sick of the sight of me.”
Her good mood was infectious, and I snuck a look at Jasper. He gazed at his sister, an expression of fond exasperation on his face. “Hol is a terrible liar,” he said, turning back to me. “Come get dinner with us, and we’ll make plans for exercising in the morning.”
It was hard to say no, and as easily as I was swept into their house yesterday, I was herded into the back of Holly’s aging Honda. It wasn’t far to the waterfront bar, but probably further than Jasper could walk.
I’d been careful with my food intake today. A little pizza wouldn’t hurt, and the food looked amazing. I hadn’t been here before, but it seemed Holly and Jasper were regulars. She waved to people and greeted them by name, before guiding us to a quiet table at the back of the room.
The waitress rattled off a list of specials, too fast for me to catch them.
Jasper touched the back of my hand. “The pizzas are really good. Is there anything you don’t like as a topping?”
“I like a bit of everything.”
“Same.” He looked pleased.
“Jas, will you order for me? I just want to say hello to someone.” Holly was already on her way.
Unfazed, he gave a list of toppings to the waitress, who jotted them on her notepad.
“Drinks?” She asked, pencil poised and ready.
Jasper hesitated. “Give us a minute?”
Holly looked deep in conversation with a couple of women at another table, and I watched her, envious of her confidence. Being alone with Jasper felt unsettling. Like a pseudo-date. I trawled my brain for something to say.
“My sister is like a force of nature. Hurricane Holly,” said Jasper.
“You seem very close.” It came out like a question, and he nodded.
“Yeah. We are. Our parents died when we were kids, and I guess we looked out for each other.”
“I’m sorry. About your parents. I don’t see mine often, but they’re still around.”
“It was a long time ago.” He fiddled with the cutlery on the table and wouldn’t meet my gaze. “So how was your day?”
I knew an abrupt subject change when I met it. He probably felt as awkward sitting here with me, as I did with him.