to me, and I mentally kick myself. I hadn’t meant to bring up the past.
I squirm in my seat. “Jase was delighted that Mr. Townsend approved of the recommendations from Nolan’s report.”
Mark’s gaze lowers. For a minute, I don’t think he’s going to respond, but he says, “Those were your recommendations, weren’t they?”
I lift an eyebrow. “It was a team effort.”
“My ass it was. Jase’s team never mentioned anything about those types of updates or those statistics before you came around.” He folds his arms and plants them on the table. “It was your idea, wasn’t it?”
“I saw where there were some pitfalls in the design and brought it up to Jase. It worked well over at McKenna Rehab.”
“You worked at McKenna Rehab?”
I nod.
“In Washington state or elsewhere?”
“Washington.”
He pulls back from the table a little. “So, that’s where you were all these years? The West Coast.”
I glance down at my empty plate before looking back up at him. “For most of them.”
Growing uncomfortable under his scrutinous gaze, I adjust in my chair and pull out the tin of cookies in my purse.
“I thought some of these for dessert might be good.” Opening the tin, I slide it into the middle of the table then look up at Mark.
He eyes the cookies before his gaze moves to meet mine. That instant zap that occurs whenever our eyes connect happens again. I briefly wonder if that’ll ever not be my body’s reaction to him. It was always like that in high school and even now.
“What are these?”
“It isn’t obvious?” I pick up one of the cookies and hold it out to him. “They’re all delicious, but these pumpkin spice latte ones are a must try during this time of year.”
“A pumpkin spice latte cookie?” His face takes on a quizzical expression that is a mixture of boyish cuteness and adult male hotness.
He reaches to take the cookie, causing our fingers to brush against one another. I have to reach for my glass of water to take a sip and tell my body to freaking relax.
“These are delicious.”
Laughing, I say, “You sound surprised. Like I was lying or something.”
He shrugs as he stares at the cookie in amazement. “You never know. Not everyone has good taste in food.”
“Tuh. I may not be able to cook, but I know when food is good.”
He chuckles as he takes his last bite. “You bought these around here? I thought I knew all the good local bakeries.”
“No.” I shake my head. “My best friend, Desiree, makes them. She has a website named Sweet Seduction, where she sells them online. The holidays are her busiest time of year.”
“I can imagine. I’d pay double for these.”
I push the tin closer to him. “Try the oatmeal raisins ones. Those are pretty good, too. And from what I remember, you liked oatmeal raisin cookies.”
Again, our eyes connect, and for a heartbeat, it feels as if he’s going to call me out for bringing up the past again or revert into his ire-filled shell, but he doesn’t.
“You’re right. Those are still one of my favorites.” He bites into them.
“Right?” I exclaim, laughing as his eyes roll to the back of his head.
“I think these might be the best cookies I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll tell Desiree you said so. I’ve been trying to encourage her to open the bakery she’s dreamt of for years. I believe it’ll happen sooner rather than later.”
I recall the conversation I had with her the other night. She didn’t let on as much, but I could hear it in her voice when she spoke of Neil and her cookie business. Things are changing for Desiree. My only sadness is that Dierdre isn’t around to see it.
“I ate the only two vanilla bean cookies she included in this tin, or else I’d tell you to try those. They’re so freakin’ good. The other tin she sent had more, but I left those at home for Mama.”
“I think you should take these before I eat the entire thing.”
“Take them. I’ve had more than my fair share. Trust me. Desiree sent two of these tins, and Mama barely touched hers. I’m planning on making a holiday order in the next couple of days to have them here by Thanksgiving.”
Mark nods. “Your mom, huh?”
Unease begins to spread in my chest. I got carried away in what I divulged in this conversation. That was always the problem with Mark. I could so easily get caught up in talking with him and accidentally tell him