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Jasper had been away for eight weeks. I ached for him like a phantom limb, but my plans were falling into place.
Thanks to Bruce being serious about investing in my business, I could branch out. Deanna would manage the city-based work from the Oriental Bay property, while I set up a new kitchen in Waikanae, at the gym. I’d need to spend a couple of days each week in the city, but I would have flexibility.
Would Jasper want me to move in with him? It might be too early to consider that, so I’d keep my apartment.
I felt closer to him at the gym, and I was among friends. Business was booming, and I sold my healthy snacks twice over. As a bonus, I was losing weight too. With so much gym equipment around me, I was getting into a regular exercise routine. I enjoyed running on a treadmill. Who knew?
Everything was great, apart from Jasper not being here.
He was supposed to be in transit to France today, first on the cross-channel ferry, and then taking the train to Paris. I couldn’t help being envious. He’d shared images of England—of little postcard-perfect villages and rugged mountains and vast lakes that reminded him of the scenery here. He warned me a couple of days ago that communications would be patchy, and said I shouldn’t worry if I didn’t hear from him, but the day felt empty with no contact.
It gave me the opportunity to focus on work. I was busy with a big cake order for one of my customers at the gym. They were throwing a birthday party and wanted dozens of assorted cupcakes, along with a new product I was trialing—a layered ice-cream cake. For obvious reasons, it could only be delivered to addresses in close proximity.
Because it was a Saturday, Holly was available, and she helped me pack the cupcakes into their cartons, ready for delivery.
“When did you last hear from Jasper?” she asked.
“The day before yesterday. We chatted for a couple of minutes.”
“You miss him, don’t you?”
“What do you think?” I turned to face her. “I’m counting the days until he’s back. We only had a couple of weeks together, but I love him, Holly.”
“I’m so glad.” Her smile was beautiful. “It was the same with me and Zack.”
We carried on working, and I tried to focus on the task at hand. I was chopping strawberries into tiny pieces, to act as a garnish, and it had to be done at the last minute, otherwise they’d go mushy.
I was confident of my feelings for Jasper, and I knew he felt strongly about me, even if he didn’t love me. He probably needed more time. Guys. Why was it such a big deal to say those three tiny words?
“Finished,” said Holly.
I laughed. “If you ever fancy a change of career, come and work for me.”
“I’ll go load these into your car. Are you almost done with the garnish?”
I glanced at my watch. “’We don’t need to be there for another half hour, and the drive is only five minutes.”
“We don’t want to be late.” She shrugged. “It gives us more time for set up. I’m not as quick as Deanna.” Her cheeks were tinged with pink.
“Are you okay, Holly?”
“I’m good.” She fanned at her face with her hand. “Warm in here. And I’m nervous the ice cream might melt.”
It would be fine, but she was worried.
“Okay. Let’s get the car packed. You sure you have time to help me arrange it when we get there?”
“Definitely.” Her smile was bright. “Kit and Liza invited us to stay for a drink afterward. You are going to, aren’t you?”
I didn’t normally socialize with my customers, but this was a small town, and everyone knew everybody else. I also didn’t have any plans for the evening, other than updating my blog with the photos I’d take later, when the cakes were on display. “Maybe a quick one.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to introducing you to everyone.” She gave me a quick hug. “More potential clients.”
The customers were thrilled with the cakes. It was Liza’s birthday, and judging by the dozens of people there, it was a big deal. The weather was kind today, and partygoers spilled out of the house, onto a long wooden deck, to cluster around a pair of BBQs. With Holly’s help, I arranged the cupcake mountain and stashed the ice cream cake in the freezer until it would be needed.
How soon could I leave?
I longed to go home and wait for Jasper’s call. I’d left him a couple of emails, to share news of what we were both doing.
Days like this, with everyone in the world happy, made me question why I sent him away. He was willing to cancel his trip, but I had to push him to carry on with it, and take the risk of him not wanting me when he came home. Whenever that would be.
Liza swept me into the kitchen. “Come and get a drink. Are you driving? I have soda if you’d prefer.”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ll be off.”
“What? You can’t go yet.” Her phone buzzed, and she scanned the message, then looked up at me. “I need to ask your advice on... umm... baking.”
She’d paid me generously for my services, and I wanted to retain her goodwill, so I pasted a smile on my face. “Of course. How can I help?”
“It’s like this.” She chewed on her lip, distracted by another incoming message. “I’m not sure how to explain it.”
Someone behind me called her name. It was the perfect time to escape. I stepped forward and touched her arm. “It’s your party. Go have a wonderful time. You can ask me for baking tips any time you like.”
“Kit needs to talk to you. Let’s find him.”
How could I say no, without being rude? I let Liza lead me through the house and garden, and back into the kitchen. At this point, I took matters into my own hands.
“I really need to go,” I began, when someone rang the doorbell.
“Damn. My hands are full,” said Liza. “Would you please get that for me, Caitlin?”
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll be off now.” That was the plan—let in the next guest, and let myself out at the same time. There was no sign of Holly. I should text her, to tell her I was leaving, but I’d do that from my car.
Maybe Jasper would call tonight. It was only two days but I missed his voice. Hell, I missed everything about him.
I cracked open the door.
Jasper stood on the doorstep. I swept my gaze over him. Shorter hair. Tanned face. Uncertain smile. Was I hallucinating?
“Jasper?”
“Caitlin.”
I wasn’t sure who moved first, but a heartbeat later we were in each other’s arms. Warm and strong, he wrapped himself around me, and everything righted itself in my world. One Jasper-snuggle. That was all I needed.
He hugged me tight and inhaled deeply. “Mm hmm. I’m glad you haven’t changed your scent. I love that vanilla sugary fragrance you wear.”
“I’m not wearing any perfume.” I chuckled against his neck. “That’s cake.”
“I need to taste you to be sure.” He tipped up my chin with one finger and claimed my lips. I just about melted with happiness.
A ripple of applause and a couple of wolf whistles sounded nearby. “Get a room,” someone called, and Jasper lifted his head.
“Thank you, Liza,” he said. “And Holly. You guys are the best.”
“Wait. You planned this?”
“I had some help. You can blame Holly. She wanted me to surprise you.”
I kissed him again. I didn’t care that we had an audience. “You did. What are you doing here? I thought you were in France.”
“Thing is I didn’t want to be there without you.” He smoothed a stray wisp of hair from my face. “I was miserable, and I realized I didn’t want to go exploring by myself. I’d rather wait until you can come too. Discover the world together one day. What do you think?”
His eyes held a wary look. Did he think I’d be upset? I chewed on my lip while I composed myself. “I think that is the craziest, most wonderful idea ever.”
“That’s good.” His smile crept out again. “There’s something else, too.”
“What?”
“I love you, Caitlin. And I wanted to wait until I held you before I told you. I’m in love with you, and I hope you still feel the same.”
“Eh. I’ll tell my other boyfriends they can’t come over.”
His face lit up with the biggest grin. “Did you just mis-quote Independence Day to me?”
“I may have.” I couldn’t hold back my delighted laugh at his expression.
He stole a kiss that made my head spin. “See? I knew I’d convert you to Sci-Fi.”
“I love it now. But I love you more.”
We stood there a few minutes or half an hour. I couldn’t be sure. We should go into the party, and I needed to thank Holly and Liza for setting this up, but right now, there was no other place I wanted to be.
With Jasper. Happy at last.