CHAPTER 16
She’d chickened out last night—Zane had been in such a good mood when he’d gotten home after his meeting she hadn’t wanted to ruin it—but tonight Missy was going to break the news to him about Amelia’s wedding party.
Therefore tonight required something more than the cookie recipe printed on the back of the chocolate chip bag.
Sure, it had worked out pretty well last time. Fueled with chocolate, Zane was even more enthusiastic than usual. But that night's baking had been a last minute decision. A spur of the moment whim that she never thought would pan out when she’d stopped at the store and grabbed the ingredients listed on that bag of tiny drop-shaped chocolate miracles.
But since today was Saturday, she was home and Zane was already out, off busy doing things. That meant she had the entire day to research recipes, shop for what she'd need and then get to baking.
Today she had a goal—make Zane so happy he wouldn’t flip out about being in her cousin's wedding party.
She probably wouldn't be getting the post-dessert loving like that other night, but if she could avoid his bad mood and a rant, that would be more than good enough.
Her laptop was her best friend that morning. The perfect instrument to travel the world of confections and search for the one best suited to woo her man. She could do the research all from the comfort of her own home, while in pajamas and drinking a cup of coffee.
Technology was a wonderful thing.
So was the search bar on her browser that magically delivered to her laptop screen so many sites featuring beautiful food that the next time she came up for air, she found it was hours later and she'd bookmarked dozens of potential tempting delicacies.
No wonder her cousin baked daily. The inspiration was seemingly endless and boundlessly tempting.
Missy found her mouth watering as she refilled her coffee mug and wished the laptop could magically deliver the actual baked goods to her fingers as quickly and easily as it did the recipes.
For now, she made do with a leftover chocolate chip cookie. She nibbled as she read over the recipes.
One particularly delectable-looking treat caught her eye.
“Chocolate Lava Cake. Wow.” Missy's mouth was watering just looking at the picture.
She clicked through to the cooking blog, afraid the recipe was going to require a degree in culinary arts and an expertise—and equipment—she didn't posses.
The blog popped up and she read the name listed on the header aloud, “Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt. Cute name.”
Apparently she was talking to herself now too. She'd have to worry about that new development later.
For now she was too intrigued to discover if she should even attempt tackling this impressive dessert.
She'd had molten chocolate cake out at a restaurant, served with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a strawberry. She knew it was hot and chocolaty and decadent.
It definitely could not be as easy to make as the cookies, but reading over the list of ingredients it didn't look all that difficult either.
It required a cupcake or muffin tin. She had one of those. That was a good sign. She read the ingredient list.
Butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, heavy cream, eggs, sugar, flour, cocoa powder.
That wasn't too bad at all. She even had the chocolate chips since she'd bought two bags for her first baking endeavor, just in case she managed to mess up the initial batch and needed a spare.
She moved on to the instructions, worried complications in the process might balance out the seemingly simple ingredients.
It said it would take almost an hour and a half to make but she had the time.
There were a lot more steps to the process than the cookies required, but none of them looked all that complicated.
Feeling confident, Missy's determination kicked in. She could handle it. She was smart.
She had degrees in fine arts and business. That had to arm her with some skills that would transfer into the kitchen. She hoped so anyway as she put pen to paper and began her list for the grocery store.
As she'd jotted down the first three ingredients she'd need to buy at the store the cell rang.
Zane's picture appeared on the display.
Missy picked up the phone and swiped the screen to answer the call. “Hey, baby.”
“Hello, my darling, love of my life.”
She raised her eyebrows. He certainly was in a sweet mood. And he hadn't even gotten a whiff of her chocolate cakes yet.
“You're in a good mood.”
“I am.” There was a smile in his voice. “I spent some time at the new office space. I dropped off some boxes and the filing cabinet and now I'm heading to the gym.”
She didn't know the reason for his good mood—moving boxes and working out didn't seem like the ideal Saturday to her—but she wasn't about to question it.
Though she did have one question for him. “Do you have an idea when you might be home tonight? I was trying to plan dinner.” And dessert . . .
“I just want to get in a workout. After that I'm meeting with your father quick, then I'll be home. I don't plan on being late. Promise.”
She let out a most likely less than lady-like snort. “I've heard that before.”
“Yes, you have. But since I'll be with your father I figure if it starts to get late I can just tell him I have to get home to his daughter and he'll understand.”
“Good point. And if you are running late, I can call him and lay on the guilt.”
“Perfect. So it's a plan then. See you later. I love you.” The timbre of his voice dipped low as he delivered those sweet words, melting her to the core even after all these years.
“I love you too. Bye.” She disconnected the call and went back to her list with new vigor and a racing pulse.
If he was this happy now, wait until he got a mouthful of melty hot chocolate cake. And while she was at the store, she'd buy extra whipped cream, just in case they needed it for later.