Page 15 of The Wedding Twist

Jack cocked his eyebrow. “Agreed.”

What was that supposed to mean? She watched as he separated the strings in the pile in front of him. When he finally looked up, their eyes locked in a silent exchange that sent a shiver across the surface of her skin. She swallowed nervously.

Was Jack trying to tell her something? Had he been burned before?

She did her best to put the thought out of her head and focus on following along with the directions he was delivering. He was authoritative but not arrogant, and she liked how he stopped now and then to check in on everyone individually.

Halfway through the class, when one of the other students required help getting back on track, Celeste opened the container of cookies and pulled some napkins from her bag and circulated around the room.

“These are unbelievable,” said George, after finishing his in two large bites. She held out the container again, inviting him to take another from the container.

Jack’s face lit up with amusement. “You brought snacks?”

She used a napkin to pluck one from the container and passed it to him. “Nothing wrong with elevating the experience,” she said. His hand brushed hers as he accepted the napkin, and even the slightest of contact was enough to send a tingle of desire dancing across the surface of her skin.

She watched as Jack took a bite, his expression changing to one of blissed-out satisfaction. “Ugh. Where’d you learn to bake like this?”

“I can’t take credit other than for bringing them here. My mother made these,” Celeste said. “Special order. They’re a favorite of the guests at our lodge.”

“I don’t doubt it,” he said.

“Wait until you try the cinnamon buns. They’re the marquee dessert.”

“I’d like to invite you to return next week.”

Celeste couldn’t help the smile from spreading across her lips. “For the desserts or the pleasure of my company?” she said.

“Both,” said Jack, without missing a beat. Celeste was thankful Quinn was absorbed with something on the other side of the classroom and hadn’t heard the exchange. She’d have a field day on the car ride home with this flirtation.

For the rest of the class, Celeste found herself enjoying herself more than she’d expected, and not just because it was fun being around Jack. It was nice to be away from the lodge and learning something new, despite not having much in common with the rest of her classmates.

Celeste had her head down and was focused on getting the final string tied as tightly as possible and felt a subtle shift in the air before realizing Jack was looking over her shoulder. She smoothed her hair, self-conscious with him so close and unable to shake off the flutter in her chest ignited by the weight of his gaze.

“You two get together,” Quinn said, holding up her camera. Of course she was right there to capture the moment.

Celeste shot her a look. “Actually, I think unposed photos are probably better.”

“Best to have options,” her sister said, smiling wide.

Celeste made a mental note to kill her later on, then looked sideways at Jack.

“Ready for your close-up?” he said. He ran his fingers through his hair and straightened his collar. “How many followers did you say you have again?”

“One hundred fifty K and climbing,” Quinn said. “And my followers will love this.” She winked at Celeste, who stood awkwardly next to Jack and smiled as she snapped away.

“Hold up the fly,” Quinn instructed. “Now why don’t you go back to your desk and pretend to be working again. Jack, you stand over her shoulder and pretend to give her an instruction.”

“The things we do for our businesses,” Celeste said, trying to sound humorous even though her nerves were dancing beneath the surface. Did Jack find this as awkward as she did? He seemed pretty comfortable. Maybe it was the having Jack so close to her, his alluring aftershave filling in the air around them that was making her so jittery.

“Closer,” Quinn directed, and Celeste felt Jack’s firm torso pressed up against her back. With a steadying breath, she forced herself to maintain composure, willing herself to appear unaffected by his proximity.

Her sister continued to take photos, giving directions here and there. “Okay, I think I’ve got what I need,” she said. “I’ll aim to get the post up by tomorrow night, and I’ll tag your company and the college.”

“Thank you,” Jack said. “Appreciate it.” He looked at Celeste. “And thanks for modeling.”

By the end of the class, she had another perfectly executed fly, which Jack held up for the class to see. “I think you’re ready for the intermediate class,” he said.

“Oh,” said Celeste. “I didn’t realize there were multiple levels. Maybe I just have a really good instructor.”

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