Creek? Or was the roll that good?”
“It was that good.” Jess took out her wallet. “I think maybe I’ll need a couple more, though, just to be sure.”
Jenny nodded and grabbed a waxed bag. “So, ladies, how are the Whisper Creek men these days? I feel like I haven’t seen them in town forever.”
Kyla shook her head. “They’re both crazy-busy. Decker’s been up at the new development all the time, and Cole’s holding down the fort at the ranch, for the most part. I’m not sure when either of them find time to eat, most days.”
“Good thing I sneak them cookies, then.” She folded Jess’s bag and put a pink sticker on it, then handed it across the counter. “So Marcy and her crew were just in here. Sounds like Cole finally asked her to the wedding?”
“What?” Kyla’s eyebrows shot up, mirroring Jess’s. What?
Jenny looked from one of them to the other. “Maybe I’m wrong. She was on her way to look for a dress over at Danielle’s shop. Said something about making Cole regret waiting this long to ask her.”
Kyla put her hand to her forehead. “That woman. She never stops.”
“So—no? Tell me now, because I was sorely tempted to put a little jalapeño in his peanut butter cookies tomorrow morning. Couldn’t believe he was being that much of an idiot.”
“No. I guarantee you he didn’t ask Marcy to come as his date.” Kyla winked. “I’m actually pretty sure he’s got his eye on someone else.”
Jenny leaned over the counter. “You have to tell me.”
“Sorry.” Kyla laughed. “You’re worse than a beauty parlor in here. If I told you, it’d be all over town in fifteen minutes flat.”
“I’m offended.” Jenny put her hand to her chest, but then she laughed. “It wouldn’t take that long. Twelve minutes, tops.”
Jess smiled, relieved that Kyla had left Jenny hanging on the subject of Cole.
Kyla handed Jenny her credit card to pay for the cookies. “So what about you? Any prospects these days?”
Jenny laughed. “Nope. I’m up at three o’clock in the morning and in bed by eight. This does not bode well for a hot dating life.”
“You know Michael will be there, right?”
Jess saw Jenny’s face go a little pink under the flour. “I assumed as much, yes.”
“Well?”
“Well, nothing. He will probably bring a date.”
Kyla shook her head. “I don’t think so. He and Decker have been so busy on this project that I don’t think he’s had time to go out in forever. And I did happen to see a seating chart last night, and I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy with where Hayley seated you.”
Jenny’s face colored again, but she covered it by ducking down to tape up the box of cookies. She pushed them across the counter, then added a little white bag to the top. “For you,” she winked, handing it to Kyla. “I’m supposed to be the matchmaker around here, not you. Maybe these will distract you.”
“All right, all right. I just think the two of you would make a cute couple. I can’t help it.”
“You realize he towers over me by, like, a foot and a half, right? Define cute.” She looked over at Jess. “In fact, Jess here would make a better height match for him. Maybe you should set them up.”
Jess gulped, but Kyla winked at Jenny. “I think Jess already has her eye on somebody else, to tell the truth.”
“Someone out here? Really?” Jenny’s eyes went wide. “Who?”
Kyla mimicked Jenny’s lip-zip. “Top secret. Sorry.”
“Will you tell me if I let you see the cake design?”
“Ooh. Now you’re talking.”
Jess broke in. “Hey! You can’t use me as a bargaining chip!”
“All right, all right.” Jenny laughed as she headed back through the door to her industrial kitchen. “I’ll find out my own way. See you two at the wedding.”
When they were back outside, Kyla put the boxes into the backseat of the car, then turned to Jess. “It’s too nice to go back just yet. Let’s take a walk.” She linked elbows and pulled her toward Java Beans. “Or maybe get some cocoa?”
Jess pointed at the thermometer outside the bank. “It’s eighty degrees. You really want cocoa?”
“I always want cocoa. Come on. I’ll buy you one.”
Jess shook her head. “How about an iced tea instead?”
“Fine. I’ll get tea. Here. Sit out here and save us a table while I go get drinks.” She pointed to an ornate little garden table outside the coffee shop, and Jess sat down while Kyla went in to order.
Little shops