“Ah, there you are.” Dara kept her head down as she placed spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the tray, but nobody could miss the twitch of her lips. When she finally looked up, her eyes sparkled. “Did you leave some hot water in the tank? Longest shower, ever.” She snickered as she set the mixing bowl in the sink.
“Where’s Sari?” Jake asked.
“In the den, napping.” Dara slid the tray into the oven and set the timer.
Jake rubbed my back on his way to the rack of finished cookies. He snagged one and took a large bite. “Delicious.”
Dean rounded the corner as Jake helped himself to a second cookie. “Hey, we need to move a few things out of the extra bedroom. Someone”—he winked at his wife—“is anxious about decorating the nursery.”
“Yeah. Let’s do it.” Jake shoved in the last of the second cookie and followed Dean upstairs.
“I’m craving a cup of tea.” Dara set the kettle on the gas range, then circled the island and sat, patting the seat beside her. “They’ll be a few minutes.”
“What are you planning for the nursery?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She swivelled the stool toward me. “I asked Dean to keep Jake busy for a few minutes.”
“Ah. Divide and conquer?”
“It isn’t like that.” Dara drummed her fingers on the counter. “Things seem better with Jake. The man can’t stop grinning, where this morning he looked like he’d been mowed down by a train.”
“Trust me, I noticed. Right now, he needs my friendship, and I’m giving him that.”
“Nothing wrong with a casual romp, but seriously? This is Jake, so I doubt friendly applies.” Her brows rose. “If that’s what you call it, you’re misreading his intentions.”
“I assure you, I’m not misreading anything. The man’s not exactly subtle about his needs.”
“Now you’re looking all panicky and backing away.”
“Not at all. I gave him exactly what he needed. He was sad, lonely, and overwhelmed. Now he’s not. Tell me, how is that a bad thing?”
“So that’s it? I mean …” She massaged her temples. “What about the wedding? Or … or”—she jabbed a finger at me—“or those visits to Vancouver?”
“Yeah, those really built our relationship, him with that damn ring and segregated life. Even last night was just about getting laid. He’s a mess, so just let it be what it is. That’s the sum total of us these days, lots of amazing no-strings-attached sex and hours of cuddling, but it ends the moment one of gets on a plane. It’s impossible for it to be more.”
“Do you even hear yourself? The man is crazy in love with you. Sex seems to be what you’re willing to give him, but you’re holding back the part he wants. Come home. We need you. Jake needs you.”
“Really, Dar? I love you, but understand, I went through a shitty divorce because I didn’t insist on having my needs met from day one. Jake’s unable to compromise, so why would I move across the country?”
“He’s letting you in. All the way in. What else could you want from him?”
“No, he’s making nice. Some of that’s for your benefit, I might add.” The kettle whistled, and I sprang to my feet, circling around the island to turn off the burner. “Let me make that tea.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
I held a jar in each hand, waggling them back and forth. “Chai? Or herbal?”
“Herbal.” The oven timer beeped. “Can you take out the cookies?”
“Of—”
“And-promise-to-spend-more-time-with-Jake?”
“… course.” Glaring at the woman who’d managed to rush her question in between my words, I yanked open the oven and slid out the tray of golden-brown cookies. “Sneaky.”
Now she was gloating, her cheeky grin making me roll my eyes as I fiddled about, adding tea leaves to the shiny filter and popping it into the teapot.
“Where’s the honey?” I inspected the neat rows of baking supplies in the pantry cupboard. “Geez, are these cans sorted alphabetically?”
“Did you expect less from me?”
“Certifiable, you are. Honey?”
“On the counter in the little black and yellow pot. Glad you’re so agreeable about Jake.”
“Spoons?”
My friend pointed at a drawer beside the oven and then cupped her palms against her belly. “For my unborn child, Auntie Amara?” She circled over the slight roundness, keeping her wide eyes turned my way. “Auntie Mar and Uncle Jake. Such a nice ring to that.”
With a sigh, I dribbled a teaspoon of honey into each cup and set Dara’s blue mug in front of her. “Yes, I will spend more time with Jake. Satisfied?”
“Thank you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as footsteps and laughter heralded the return of the men. “He’s not as big of a mess as you seem to think. His feelings for you, that’s what sent him spinning.” She peered at me over the rim of her mug as the guys arrived, mouthing, “Be nice.”
I squinted at her. What exactly did she think I’d been doing for the past three days?
“All done with the furniture, thanks to Jake.” Dean planted himself on the stool, eyeing me with an inscrutable expression.
“I’m taking Sari to the play gym after her nap.” Jake looked directly at me. “Anyone interested in coming?”
Dara widened her eyes, and she stared at me without blinking, giving her head the slightest bob.
“Sure,” I said. “Sounds like fun.”
Dara stretched and yawned. “I need a nap. Growing a tiny human is exhausting.” She rose, cradling her tea as she shuffled toward the stairs. “Enjoy.”
“Oh, I’d better prep those walls for the first coat of paint,” Dean said. “You two have fun.” He leaped to his feet and hurried after his wife. “Let me carry that upstairs for you.”
“Well, I guess we’re on our own,” Jake said. “Better get Sari up, or she’ll be awake half the night.”
“Let me know when you want to leave.” I sat to drink my tea, pondering this swift turn of events. When I’d woken up this morning, the plan was to hang out with
