Novel Palace
35
And I couldn’t stop anticipating what it was going to feel like to say good-bye to him again. This trip wasn’t supposed to happen; it’d seemed like it had taken some convincing.
I feared what next time would be like.
How intensely I would miss him.
My heart needed to prepare for it.
I cared for Jenner. I wanted a future with him. I wanted this feeling-this pulsing in my chest-to own me all the time, not just when I was physically with him.
But is it impossible?
I turned toward him, not at all surprised that his eyes were already on me.
“Music looks gorgeous on you, Jo.”
My lids shut for just a second. “It’s not the music.”
As if he heard my thoughts, he brought his mouth to my temple, pressing his lips there, staying like that for the rest of the song.
Monica danced like there was a spotlight shining on her. The crowd held up their phones, shining their flashlights at the stage.
Jenner and I didn’t move.
We stayed snug until the end of the show, our arms linked as we walked out of the stadium.
Jenner had a driver each time he was in Miami, and he was parked in the VIP area. We headed over to the SUV, and the driver held the door open for us. Monica climbed into the backseat, and when I attempted to get in, Jenner stopped me.
“I’ve got something planned for you,” he whispered in my ear. He then stood in the doorway of the backseat and said to Monica, “The driver is going to take you home. I want you to text us when you get there, so we know you’re safe.”
“You guys aren’t coming?” she asked.
He shook his head and squeezed me. “I’ve got a little surprise for this one.”
“You’re so cute. I can’t stand it.” She slid to the end of the seat and stretched her arms across the open space to wrap them around us. “Thank you for the most incredible time. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to concert without you, Jenner. You just make the whole experience so extra.”
He laughed. “Thanks for being a hell of a third wheel.”
“You cats have fun tonight.” She snorted.
Jenner closed the door, and we watched the driver pull away.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked as we began walking.
He kissed the top of my head-a place I was learning he liked-and he led me down the sidewalk.
This was a section of the city I knew well, and I couldn’t imagine where he was taking me. We’d eaten dinner before the show, so I didn’t think it was for a meal, and even though there were plenty of bars in the area, something told me we weren’t headed for drinks either.
After a few blocks, his hand lowered to my back, and he turned us into a storefront, the awning one I didn’t recognize, nor could I recall ever getting anything delivered from this bakery.
“Have you been here?” he asked.
I read the name again and shook my head. “Never.”
He paused, holding the door handle. “I don’t do this often.”
I tilted my head, trying to read him. “Do what?”
“Eat dessert at midnight.”
I didn’t have time to ask what he meant before he opened the door. Inside, an older woman was sitting on a stool behind a long, antique-looking glass counter. A smile warmed her face the moment we walked in.
“Jenner.” She rose. “Oh, honey, it’s been ages.”
He released me to approach her, and the two of them immediately embraced.
I could tell she was someone he had known for a long time, a motherly figure just by the way her arms wrapped around him, how she patted the back of his head.Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
“I didn’t know you were coming into town,” she said, pulling away. “Let me get a good look at you.” She shook her head as she took in his face. “Always as handsome as ever.” Her hand went to his cheek. “What brings you to town?” Her grin widened, her eyes flitting over to me. “Never mind. I see the reason right now.” She glanced back to Jenner. “Introduce me to this lovely lady, please.”
“Gloria, this is Jo. Jo, this is Brett’s mom, Gloria.”
Brett.
And then it clicked-his friend I’d met in Vegas.
Rather than shaking my hand, which I extended to her, she pulled me in for a hug.
“It’s so wonderful to meet you.” She squeezed.
I felt myself melting into her.
“It’s so nice to meet you too.”
Her hand circled my back before she leaned away, studying my face, like she’d done to Jenner. “What can I get you? It’s my treat. Choose anything.”
“Absolutely not. I’m a paying customer,” Jenner said in the background. “I just wanted Jo to experience the best bakery in Miami.”
A blush moved across Gloria’s face. “Flattery, my boy, makes you even more charming.” She nodded toward Jenner but spoke to me and said, “It’s impossible to say no to this one.”
I laughed. “Tell me about it.”
She led me over to the display cases, the options endless.
“It’s all good,” Jenner said as he stood next to me. “I can say that because I’ve tried just about everything.”
“Just like my Brett, he’s got a hearty appetite.”
“Mmhmm,” I agreed but for multiple reasons. I eyed the selection that ranged from cookies to tarts, cupcakes to candies. “How do I choose when it all looks so amazing?”
Gloria moved to the back side of the counter. “Can I help?”
I glanced up, our eyes connecting, and something made me nod.
“You like desserts that are a little more on the savory side, am I right?”
“Yes. You’re right.”
But I had no idea how she knew that.
“I had a feeling.” She reached across the counter, her fingers landing on my shoulder. “I have a suspicion you also like blueberries.”
The shock that hit my chest made me laugh. “Love them.”