Page 119 of Storm in a Teacup
She comes again as the timer on the oven dings. I stand up, satisfied, kissing her deliciously on the mouth before turning off the buzzer.
While the biscuits are cooling, we freshen up. As I’m messing with an annoying new strand of gray hair that will not settle, she comes into the bathroom and wraps her arms around me from behind. She’s wearing heeled boots so her chin can rest on my shoulder, though she still needs to stretch a bit.
“Your hair looks good,” she says.
“It’s being frustrating,” I say back, fingers running over the silver stripe on the side of my head.
“Do you ever think about dyeing it?” she asks.
That question surprises me. “Do you want me to?”
“Absolutely not, but that wasn’t my question. Doyouthink about dyeing it?”
I hum. “Sometimes. But then I figure that would be a hassle, and I am trying to grow into it naturally. Some days it bugs me more than others, especially as all my roots are starting to gray. But I know it’s just hair and I should be happy that at least I have it.” I twist my body so I’m facing her, back now pressed to the counter. She’s pulled back, but her arms are still around me.
“I love your hair,” she says earnestly. “The gray looks great on you.”
I lean down and kiss her. “I think you’re a bit sweet on me, Melinda Eugena Jenkins.”
“I am. Also, so not my middle name. It’s Charlotte.”
“Mine’s William.”
“Ah, like your dad.” She pulls her arms away. “We should get going.”
We arrive at Isla’s place a little bit later. As she ushers us in, I hear other voices besides Rachel’s speaking. I don’t see anyone else, then notice that she is on a video call on her laptop with a man and a woman.
“I should let you go,” Rachel is saying. “Ben and his girlfriend are here.”
“Wait!” I shout. “Is that Nick and Piper?”
She twists around in her chair. “Of course. Who else do I talk to?”
I nudge Rachel out of her seat at the kitchen table, stealing it and immediately getting excited chatter from her best friend and brother.
“Wolftrax!” Piper shouts, offering me the nickname she gave me after we first met last June. They were having trouble with an electric car outside my café early in the morning. Piper ended up leaving behind a necklace that I was fortunate enough to find and return to her when I came to Edinburgh to see David.
“How are you?” I ask.
As they answer, I overhear Linny ask Rachel, “Does he actually know them?”
Nick glances behind himself and says, “I’ve got a new batch of jam going that’s almost ready to come out of the pot.”
“Och, your jam. Please send the blackberry next timeyousend it. Rach let me borrow some and I used it in these mini cheesecake cups and they were…” I kiss my fingers, then explode them. Chef’s kiss.
Nick chuckles and says, “Sure. I’d be happy to. Rach isn’t giving all of the jam to you, is she?”
Rachel cuts in, “Not all! But you send me an excessive amount. I am one person who just kind of likes jam. I spread the love. Ben uses it more than I do, anyway.”
“Speaking of love.” I gesture Linny over with exaggerated arm motions. “Let me introduce you to my girlfriend.” I scoot over so we can share the seat. I can tell Lin feels mildly uncomfortable by this situation, so I rest my hand on her back. Piper, however, looks thrilled at her appearance. “This is Linny,” I say.
“Hi,” she says with a little wave.
“Hi!” Piper shouts back. “Linny! That is such a cute name. Is it short for anything?”
“Melinda,” Linny and I say together.
“Ugh, Linny. That is so cute. I love it!” She nudges Nick beside her. “Isn’t that such a cute name?”
