When We Touch

“Hazelnuts, of course.” She quickly switches off the mixer, and I stand back as she removes the bowl and steps down to where a clear blue plastic bag with a large, cone-shaped tip waits beside three white mats. “I’ll alternate three meringue layers with a coffee-flavored mousse between them…”

“Sounds delicious.”

She scrapes the white mixture into the bag. “I hope so.” Her brow lines as she begins squeezing the white stuff into a spiral the size of a dinner plate.

“You’re really good at this. Is that like divinity?”

“Sort of, but crisper.” Her eyes never leave her work. She keeps going until the large spiral is finished. “Once it’s all together, I’ll pipe chocolate ganache peaks around the edges then top them with hazelnut pralines.”

“Damn…” It’s the best I got. “I want one.”

Her lips press into a smile, but whatever is bothering her doesn’t allow her to laugh. I don’t like it, but I’m still pretty fascinated by her new talent. I imagine piping chocolate ganache on Ember’s naked body and licking it off.

“You can have this one if it doesn’t come out right.” She moves to the next white sheet and starts the second plate-sized spiral.

“What would make it ‘not right’?”

She proceeds to spiral number three without looking up. “If the meringue is chewy instead of crisp…” She turns and opens the large oven. “If the custard is runny. If I overcook the hazelnuts and the praline is bitter.”

“Wow. I just thought you meant if it was lopsided.”

Her brown eyes meet mine. “It can’t be lopsided either! I’m charging money for this.”

Catching her around the waist, I pull her to me. “When did you learn to make these amazing desserts?”

She rests her hands on my chest, playing with the lapel of my shirt. “I took a few classes, but mostly by watching videos, TV shows. Then just practice, pra

ctice, practice.”

Reaching beside us, I swipe a bit of meringue off the side of the empty bowl and touch it to her bottom lip.

“Jackson!” She pulls her head back, but I lean forward and lick it away, pulling her lip into my mouth.

She immediately relaxes in my arms. I dip my chin and kiss her deeper, sweeping my tongue inside to find hers. Her soft lips part, melting against mine as she kisses me back.

Just as fast, she pulls out of my arms. “I’ve got to start the custard. Tabby said they need this for tonight. It’s going to take at least another hour.”

Looking around the bakery, I see the plastic bucket and little pots of play-dough abandoned on the other end of the table. “Where’s Coco?”

“Tabby took her.” Ember pours cream and breaks eggs into a medium-sized pan. She exhales a little laugh. “Now that I’m paying her, she’s pimping out my child to sell fine baked goods.”

I smile and watch her work in silence several minutes longer. I’ve waited as long as I can, so I just ask.

“How did it go with your mom today?”

Her dark brow clutches. “It was… interesting. It was what I expected, but I learned some things I never knew.”

“What kind of things?”

She shakes her head. “I’m still sorting it out, but I know one thing. I’m not leaving Coco with her again. She’ll stay here with me.”

“It’s too hot here.” I go to her, sliding my hand down her back. “You’ll both stay with me at the cottage.”

Her eyes flicker to mine and just as quickly return to the pot she’s stirring. “Is that a good idea?”

“Have you changed your mind about us?” My throat tightens at the possibility she could say yes.

Her chin is still down, but she says what I want to hear. “I haven’t changed my mind.”