Page 67 of A Touch of Spring Magic

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he whispered. “I’m not. I like who you are. All of you.”

She turned her face into his palm and rested her lips against his calloused palm. She swayed a little toward him—or did he move toward her? But he was closer, and the air felt electric with promise.

He was going to kiss her.

Or she him.

It was happening, and it was real whether he’d eaten the tart or not, because she hadn’t followed the recipe exactly. Jessica felt a shiver of excitement race through her, accompanied by a throb of longing. When was the last time she was excited by the possibility of a kiss?

Had Storm changed his mind? Was he now willing to risk reaching for more than friendship as their garden restoration and construction wound down?

The kitchen faded away along with the eaten tart. She forgot about the grazing board with the woven palm fronds, and floral arrangements. The party. Her sisters waiting. The arriving guests. There was only Storm and the sweet potential of their first kiss—well the first kiss as adults and not her flirting or toying with his affections.

“Hey.” Chloe burst into the kitchen practically hopping in excitement. “Everything looks off the hook. The grazing board slays. Slays. Slays. Rustin is taking pictures, and he and Rebekah have their heads together likely scheming a thematic platter for an event.”

She wore a frothy periwinkle-blue dress that skimmed her slender body, but then the skirt poufed out in layered tule that started off as gray blue that ombréd into lavender. She’d never seen Chloe in anything so glamorous.

“I clean up good, huh?” Chloe grinned and spun in a circle. “I can’t wait for you to turn on the lazy river and the fountain and wall of water. Jessie, will it be ready for the party? And, Storm, the barn is such a beautiful gathering spot and shop for the nursery. I love the new home for the cats that you made. I can’t wait until you both are open for business.”

“Both?” Jessica frowned. That didn’t really make sense. “And it’s not a lazy river, Clo.” Jessica was charmed by Chloe’s enthusiasm. “It’s mimicking a stream. It’s a water feature that defines… Oh, never mind, it’s your day, monkey—the river can be what you want it to be.” Jessica slid her arm through Chloe’s. “You can do the honors, and then I want to check the grazing table to make sure everything is perfect.”

“It looks scrumptious,” Chloe said. “I think the three of you should turn this into an event space and you can cater.”

“Don’t you start,” Jessica said. “This is a niche nursery and a botanical garden, and it’s mine.” Her voice rang with pride.

She caught Storm watching her, and something unexpected flitted across his face. What was it? She felt like she’d said something wrong, but what? She was so tired and yet so jazzed up from that almost kiss that she barely knew what she was saying.

“I’ll make sure everything’s ready,” Storm said, rather formally. “Check your board and then meet me by the water wall, and you can flip the switch, getting-married girl. And, Jay…” Storm smiled. “You too clean up good.”

And he was gone.

“Ooooooh.” Chloe dramatically fanned herself. “Those were some hot, hot, hot and horny electrons spinning around in that kitchen. Who needs a stove?”

“You’re imagining things,” Jessica said, trying and failing to control her blush.

“Did you follow a recipe exactly and slip Storm a bite to try out your love-spell-casting energy?”

“Chloe, I would never. I don’t believe in spells.”

Should she genuflect? Cast a few Hail Marys and ask for forgiveness though Chloe was the one flirting with blasphemy? Run to confession early tomorrow morning?

“I’m just teasing, but you were both sharing some looks, and I thought I’d definitely interrupted something good.”

“I thought so too, but Storm friend-zoned me when we started working together, which was probably smart. I know it was smart.” And why was she unscrewing this jar of squirming worms now? “Never mind.”

“You like him?”

“We’re not in middle school, Chloe.”

“You do,” she breathed. “He’s amazing and so skilled. You should definitely jump on that.”

“That.” She laughed a little. “Kinda objectifying, Chloe. We’ll see.” She wasn’t going to get caught up in any man drama during Chloe and Rustin’s shower. “At least I know if he does have feelings for me, they’re real, not from that book that still spooks me out.”

“We all read those recipes,” Chloe said. “Did you do everything exactly, even the weird stuff?”

“There wasn’t anything too out there on the savory tarts except the Sweetheart’s Tryst, so I made sure I was alone when I made it. Didn’t want to take any chances, although I don’t really think the whole town would fall in love with me,” she admitted in a rush. “Even in my homecoming queen years, I wasn’t that popular.” She laughed a little at her vanity. “Still didn’t want to take a chance, just in case.”

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