a guy ran by the bakery, drawing both of their gazes in appreciation. He stopped mid-stride and turned around.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Jodie said admiringly, to herself, though Ginger overhead and nodded.
“Uh-oh, he’s coming in!” Ginger laughed as he approached the door.
Jodie shushed her employee with a grin and greeted the guy, discreetly admiring his sleek runner’s build. “Can I help you?”
He walked up to the counter, smiling. All blond and tan, he was probably a few years younger than Jodie’s thirty-two, closer to Ginger’s twenty-seven.
“Sure. You have anything whole grain? And some water?”
“Water is in the case, and we have some fresh bran muffins that are cooling from the oven. Ginger would be happy to get one for you—or more than one?”
“No,” he said, smiling in Ginger’s direction. “One is fine.”
Ginger’s head snapped up from where she’d been admiring him from the waist down through the glass case, her cheeks flushing prettily. Their handsome customer didn’t seem to mind at all as he took in her curly red hair and pale complexion.
“Uh, sure. Just a minute,” she stammered, and disappeared.
“She’ll be right back,” Jodie promised with a smile. Ginger needed a boost, and waiting on a cute guy was just the ticket. Jodie made herself scarce when Ginger returned, reorganizing some cakes she had organized five minutes before at the far end of the display case.
To her amazement, Ginger finished the sale without even getting the guy’s name. When he left, Jodie popped up and looked at her assistant squarely, hands on hips.
“Ginger, why didn’t you flirt a little? He was into you.”
“Why do you think that?”
“He asked you about every muffin we have on the board, even the sugary ones, and all the ingredients in this one—and he was staring at your boobs. He also mentioned thinking he’d seen you at the gym. He was doing everything he could to get you to connect. You just handed him his receipt and told him to have a good day.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Ginger said grumpily, shrugging. “I must be getting rusty. I haven’t been with anyone since Scott.”
Jodie’s mouth dropped open. “Seriously? That’s been almost two years.”
Ginger leveled her a look. “Jodie, I work two jobs and I’m a mom. I’ve trained myself to not notice hot guys coming on to me because I don’t have time. Besides, once they find out I have a kid they’re not so interested.”
“You deserve some grown-up fun,” Jodie insisted, not liking the loneliness she saw in her friend’s eyes.
Ginger smiled, but it wasn’t a happy smile. “I know you like to love ’em and leave ’em, but I don’t feel right doing one-night stands anymore. I have Anna to consider. Don’t you ever want something more permanent?”
“No way. And ‘permanent’ is what got you Scott in the first place, if you remember. A one-night stand is exactly what you need. Besides, I never love any of them, I only fu—”
“Jodie!” Ginger cut her off before she could finish her sentence, laughing and turning pink.
Jodie shrugged, grinning, happy she could lighten up the mood. “I’m just saying it would be good for you. I could take Anna for an overnight and you could go out to play. He must enjoy working out. You have something in common from the start. Maybe you could find something more interesting to do on the exercise equipment than exercise, you know?”
“You are just bad.” Ginger peered at her, taking a sip of her coffee. “Well, he’s gone now, anyway, so it’s a nonissue. For what it’s worth, I don’t buy your ‘I don’t fall in love’ routine. You just haven’t found the right guy. One of these days he’ll come along and you’re not even going to know what hit you. Then you’ll see my side of things.”
“Doubt it.”
“Mark my words. One of these days, Jodie Patterson is going to fall and fall hard. I can’t wait. You deserve a good guy.”
“Yeah, well, we all do, but there are precious few of them out there.”
Ginger murmured agreement to that and went back to her task.
Jodie was amazed that Ginger’s romantic illusions still held after what she’d been through. Jodie had figured out in high school what guys were interested in, and it seemed so obvious.
She was diverted from her thoughts when Jason walked in the door. She looked at him in surprise, and then realized she’d never responded to any of his morning calls or text messages.
“Hi, Jodie,” he said quietly, as he approached her. Ginger wiggled