by Amy Gregory
Before he’d left for Vermont, they’d had dinner alone at her home. They’d cooked together, laughing and sharing a bottle of delicious wine he’d brought. Afterward, she’d surprised him with a cup of his favorite pain-in-the-ass coffee to sip while they sat on the front porch and watched the sun set over the various colors of fall trees. The last thing he left her with was their first and only kiss.
It wasn’t a friendly peck. He’d packed it full of desire and heat, making her want things she never knew she was missing. It was as if the man had purposely left her hanging on the edge, wishing he’d come back. Since that night, there had been no amount of baking, working at the diner, or cleaning her already spotless home to combat the edginess he’d created. Every time she saw his name light up her phone, the neediness grew. The man created such an edginess within her, she was afraid she’d combust if she didn’t get something a hell of a lot more from him, and soon.
Jenny walked to her kitchen table and sat down, laying her head on top of her folded arms, and tried to breathe her way off the ledge.
“Stupid man,” she whispered. But he was the opposite of stupid. He was sizzling hot and made her dreams at night more vivid than she could handle, and his voice made her want to transport north up the coast and show up on his doorstep unannounced. Something her grandmother Von Zuzle would never approve of. Traditions, dating, and appropriate behavior were things the Von Zuzles were supposed to understand, supposed to abide by. Jenny transporting for a booty call was not even close to the list. Goddess only knew what her grandmother would do. For all Jenny knew, she could have Jenny sent to the magic pokey.
She knocked her forehead against her arm a few times. “Why, why, why? How did I let him get to me like this? Blahhhhh!”
Jenny wanted to continue her private hissy fit, but a knock at the front door interrupted her.
“Hmmm. Seems you have a visitor.” Gonzo purred and rolled his eyes on his way to his food bowl. “Lucky for you, I was about to start recording your ridiculousness for all the familiars to laugh at.”
“You can’t record a damn thing. You’re a cat.”
“I have my ways. Don’t underestimate me, princess.”
“Fuck a duck. I’m arguing with a spoiled bratty animal. What the hell is next?” Jenny asked as she swung the front door open.
The swoon-worthy, cover-model-gorgeous man from Vermont stood before her, wearing one of his several-thousand-dollar custom-tailored suits and a smile, and holding a bouquet of colorful Gerbera daisies.
Joshua held out the bouquet. “Surprise! I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“You’re interrupting her, all right. Let me tell you alllllll about it.” Gonzo purposely dragged out the word, embarrassing her to Goddess’s high heavens as he walked by.
“Shut the mmm-mmm-mmm up, you little asshat.” Jenny gritted her teeth as she shooed her familiar away, ungrateful despite the roof over his fat ass and the unlimited food supply she provided him. “I’ll send you back to wherever smoked-gouda-lacking, gorgonzola-deprived place it was you came from.”
His gray ears lay back flat against his head, and his eyes narrowed. “You wouldn’t.” Gonzo hissed.
“Does a fat cat love cheese?” Jenny taunted back, her hand on her hip. It was his Achilles heel, and she knew it.
He whipped his head away from her and sauntered toward her bedroom. She’d at least gotten in the last word, which didn’t happen often with the little bastard she’d been stuck with. She and her familiar tolerated each other, but it was definitely not the love-and-adoration type of connection Lessy and Muffin had.
A chill went over her skin. The front door was open, the fall air coming in. Reality came rushing back to her, and Jenny wanted to pound her head against the antique front door. “Oh my Goddess. Fuck a duck, you…” Slowly, she opened one eye. Yep. She nodded, answering her own question. “You heard all that and saw everything, didn’t you?”
To his credit, Joshua did a pretty good job trying to conceal his laughter at her expense. “I brought you flowers. Does that make it any better? Although, I believe you sort of stole my long-time saying.”
“I did?” Jenny moved back from the door and let him walk in.
“Fuck a duck? I believe that’s my line.” He winked.
“Nope, sorry, bucko. Been saying that since I could get away with curse words with my dad for a good chunk of time now.”
“Bucko? Hmm. I’m older, so I’ll play the age card against you there, my dear,” Joshua teased back.
“You are barely a hot minute older. You act like you’re two hundred or something.” Jenny walked toward the kitchen to get an empty vase from the last bouquet of flowers he’d sent. Running water into it, she placed the rainbow of colored blooms in it, arranging them, and then buried her nose in the sweet scent. “These are my favorite. Thank you, Joshua, for them and for each of the special treats you keep sending. But I hope you know it’s not necessary. I appreciate each token, but I don’t want you thinking I expect gifts from you.”
She was gently tugged by the arm away from the counter, then pulled toward his chest. “That’s exactly why I love spoiling you.”
Jenny dragged in a ragged breath as he drew her against him. Somewhere in time, her eyes had drifted closed as his lips covered hers, and she let go. The next thing she knew, a rush of air swirled around them, pressing them together unlike anything she’d ever witnessed, been a part of, or even heard about. It was like the best-kept secret, the answer to knowing if one had found the perfect mate. The kiss went on for what felt like eternity. Joshua’s hands roamed up and down her back as she locked her arms around his neck, anchoring herself to him.
The mysterious breeze died, her hair drifted down against her back instead of whipping around her, and the rushing sound stopped as quickly as it’d kicked up. Joshua’s lips became soft and sweet instead of demanding as the foggy feeling clouding her brain lifted. Jenny blinked several times, trying to focus on the green eyes she’d come to love staring back at her.
“I love you.”
Three little words Jenny would never have predicted a simple girl like her would hear from a man who was in a completely different class from her own. “Me?”
A line formed between his brows, his smile faded, and she felt like he was studying her intently. His fingers brushed her cheek before his knuckle tipped her chin up toward him, keeping their gazes on each other. “Yes…you, Jenny.”
“But you could have—”
“My mother warned me. Do not finish that sentence. I don’t want anyone else. I want you. I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but that kiss, that was Fate’s way of showing you and me both that we’re meant to be together, so don’t try to deny it. We’d never have been able to manufacture that on our own. That was a destiny kiss if ever there was one. It’s never happened to me before, and I only knew it would happen with the right person because my mother told me it would with you. She said she just knew you were the one.”
“You told your mom about me? How would she know I was the one? She hasn’t even met me. And we’re from two totally different worlds. I’m a just-getting-by baker from a small immortal town. You’re a wealthy businessman who travels the globe among mortals for a living.”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Jenny Von Zuzle.” Joshua tugged her hand, easing them both toward the couch to sit and face each other, but he took her hands in his and didn’t let go. “I know you’re new to transporting and still nervous about that. We have eternity to get you comfortable traveling, and I would never rush you. Someday, you’ll be popping in and out of town like it was something you’d done your entire life.
“As far as money…don’t ever compare, and don’t use that as a wedge to keep us apart. I’d give up every dime to be with you. And I don’t have to travel as much as I always have. I can cut back on clients, I can cut back on scouting out listings ahead of time, and I can work from anywhere, even here, if you’ll have me.”
“Here?”
He nodded. “If you were all right with me being in your town? I could find an apartment or something.”
“How does your mom know about me? What all did you tell her about me?” Joshua only winked. Jenny pulled one hand loose to hide as much of her face with it as she could. “She’s a mind-walker like Bill’s mother, isn’t she?”
“And she has visions,” he whispered.
“Say what the magoogoogaleezacuck? What? What…kind…of, um, visions? Like, she-can-see-me-in-my-kitchen kind of shit?”
“Oh no, sweetheart. Just visions of the future. Like, she knew I’d find you in Assjacket before I ever came here to see Bill last month. She knew I needed to settle down and had to get here to find you. She knew I’d fall in love at first sight. She explained what kind of soul I needed to be happy with, and she knew your name before I told her I’d met you. She told me when I came today to kiss you and what would happen. And some other things. But no, she can’t just shake a crystal ball and watch us make out.” He waggled his brows at her.
Jenny swiped at him. “Don’t make fun. That’s not cool. Can you imagine if your mother could watch—you know—that?”
His smile returned, extra wide. “I don’t know. What is that you’re hinting at?”
Jenny did her best to pretend to be miffed, even growled at him. It only made Joshua laugh out loud. “No, she can’t see that. I promise.” He leaned in close. “I actually asked, because she was freaking me the hell out, and I had to know for myself.” Then he kissed her cheek.
“I will never in a bazillion centuries ever be able to look your mother in the face.”
“Well, that might be sort of a little issue. I came here to see if I could convince you to come to dinner with me tonight at my parents’ house. They’re dying to meet you, Jenny.”
Jenny’s jaw dropped open. “Holymagoly schiklepeterpeckers on a stick. Are you seriously serious right now, like serious? No way, Jose, Peter Piper, Ronald McDonald’s big fat red nose, absolutely not.”
Chapter 18
Joshua knew if he cracked a smile, she might actually smack at him and make contact. Her language was one-of-a-kind, just as she was. He’d had a month to get used to his mother’s comments and visions. Jenny had only been given about two minutes to absorb the shock. He knew his parents were excited, and his mother had advised him that Jenny would need a bit of convincing.
He hadn’t realized, and his mother hadn’t mentioned a damn word, that money could be an issue. Joshua had never once given a second thought to their different lifestyles when it came to the almighty dollar. He knew transporting and travel were her two biggest fears. He knew being around mortals was her next biggest hurdle. Joshua was also prepared and had a long talk with his own parents, telling them that leaving Assjacket wasn’t negotiable. He’d never in a million centuries ask her to do it. It was worth moving into her world to be with her, and his parents were both very supportive of the idea.
But to think he’d not want her because she wasn’t made of money… He would have to come up with a game plan to argue that point. He had a feeling if he could get her to Vermont tonight for dinner, it was bound to come up again, especially once she saw his parents’ mansion. Lucky for him, the kiss they’d shared upon his arrival—though no rings were exchanged, no vows were spoken, and he hadn’t even proposed—was binding in their world.
* * *
Jenny immediately regretted agreeing to dinner with his folks. She could lie, but it wasn’t in her DNA, plus she didn’t want to end up with any extra body parts because she’d pissed off the Goddess above. She had no reason to give him that would stand up against time in the magic pokey. Wearing her best pair of jeans, flats, and a pale pink cable-knit sweater, she reached out and took Joshua’s hand and let him transport them to his parents’ home.
Right away, she felt underdressed and completely humiliated. “Why didn’t you tell me I was going to look like a farm-fresh hick?” Her eyes started to get hot, but Jenny blinked back the welling tears. The last thing she needed was her face to have blotchy marks matching her sweater because she’d been crying.
“I told you a dozen times, you look beautiful.”
He seemed sincere, and there was a loving light about him. His smile was comforting, not contagious, but it eased the sick feeling in her stomach. Assjacket was a small town. She was in a different ballpark with this man. She could fit her entire home inside the grand foyer of his parents’ mansion. Jeans and a sweater, a vocabulary mixed with a Southern accent, hair she’d let out of a loose ponytail… Everything about her was wrong.
“I don’t belong here. I don’t fit in, Joshua.” She tried to pull her hand free in an attempt to transport back home before anyone else would notice.
“Nonsense, my darling girl. You look smashing.”
Too late. Jenny swallowed hard and turned toward the feminine voice behind her. She forced a smile she hoped looked somewhat kind and not bitchy, or worse—scared. “Hello.” Even to her own ears, her voice sounded like a squeaky mouse.
Goddess, how pathetic?
“I’m Nola, and Joshua’s father, Lincoln, will be along any minute.” Jenny reached her hand out, but was swept into a loving hug instead. “Oh, sweet girl, we have waited so long for you to come into our son’s life.” Nola eased back, smiling, then brushed Jenny’s cheek with her hand. “I’m ordering you to relax and enjoy yourself. Do you want something to drink? Your mind is going a mile a minute. And don’t you dare transport back home.” Nola gathered her under her arm and walked them both toward the most massive kitchen Jenny had ever seen in her life.
“How did… Oh, I forgot,” Jenny said.
“I promise not to mind-walk, unless I have to. But fear is radiating off you, child. Don’t you worry. You’re perfect. Just take a few deep breaths, and I promise this evening will be spectacular.” Nola squeezed her hand, letting go to get the wineglasses.
“You were going to ditch me, were you?” Joshua chuckled, stepping into the spot his mother had vacated and draping his arm around her waist.
It was probably a good thing he was hanging on to her, Jenny decided, if they wanted her to remain rooted in this house. She didn’t know how to transport a second person yet unless they were holding hands and willing to go.
“I hear voices.” A booming male voice came closer. “Is she here, Nola?” A jovial man with a smile and green eyes that matched Joshua’s turned a corner. “Well, Jenny, aren’t you just a beautiful princess? I’m Lincoln, Josh’s dad. How are you, honey?”
He grasped her free hand and was pumping her arm so excitedly, she was a tad worried it’d fall off. His excitement was infectious, and Jenny finally let a breath go and smiled back at the couple. They were both dressed to the nines, Nola in a fancy evening dress and Louboutin heels, and Lincoln in a suit she was sure was from the same tailor Joshua used. Jenny did her best not to look down at her own attire.
“Would you excuse us for just a quick minute?” Nola asked, pulling her husband’s hand away from Jenny’s.
Before she could glance up at Joshua, they both zapped out and zapped back into the kitchen, this time in jeans. How they could both make casual still appear like their outfits cost more than she made two weeks was beyond her, but the effort wasn’t lost on her. Before she could say anything, his mother brushed the back of her hand across her own forehead.
“Jenny, thank Goddess above for you, my angel. I enjoy a good cocktail party as much as the next gal, but this…” She waved the same hand down her side. “This is much more comfortable. Thank you for letting us just have a nice evening in comfortable clothes. And I don’t care who tries to lie to you, heels are heels, and by the end of an evening, I’m dying for a good pair of flats. Now, I was about to get you a drink. What would you prefer, my dear?”
His parents had gone above and beyond to put her at ease. No wonder Joshua spoke so highly of them. He’d shared a hundred stories with her over the last month. Some ab
out his childhood, some about trips they took for work, some about when he and Bill were in college. His parents were exactly as he’d described.
Jenny inhaled. The realization hit her hard. He hadn’t led her astray; he’d not fed her any information to get her where he wanted. The man had been straight with her from the afternoon at Hilton Head on. They’d had some bumpy conversations the first couple of days he’d been in town, but looking back, they’d both been nervous around each other. She’d grown to know more about him through late-night phone calls, sweet texts, and even true romantic love letters delivered to her mailbox. Of course, chocolates wrapped in pretty bows were always a plus, and she was getting used to the random gifts that showed up wrapped and waiting for her on her kitchen counter after work. But it was his ability to make her laugh, to make her need to hear his voice, she was starting to crave. It was a new feeling. And though she’d finally confessed she didn’t want to be like the clingy women he’d mentioned in a few of their talks, he made her realize clingy wasn’t the same thing as being in love.
I am in love with him.
He’d said the words in Assjacket before they left. She hadn’t believed him. But as she stood under his arm, looking up at him, in his parents’ home in Vermont, all the pieces fell into place.
“I love you, Joshua.”
She was immediately picked up under her arms and found herself being twirled in a circle, much as she’d been almost a month prior on the beach, but he was even happier now, and his smile turned to laughter.
“Thank you, Goddess. She loves me back!” He put her down, red-faced and embarrassed to have put on such a display in front of his parents. A quick glance at them showed they were both holding each other, their smiles mirroring Joshua’s. “What do you say, a wedding in Assjacket and a honeymoon vacation in Hawaii?”
