Page 62 of Remember Me

“Will you two stop it and behave like adults for once,” Hannah admonishes, and the pair of them stop but fold their arms, sulking. “Ok, the rules are you each have thirty minutes to decorate four sugar cookies, and the winner—picked by myself—will win a favor from the loser,” Hannah declares.

Jake and Alyssa are talking a good game, bragging about how they’ll win, but I like to think I’m the dark horse here. I want to win against Jake for the bragging rights alone—I’m definitely in this to win it.

Hannah starts the timer and we’re off. I decide to keep my design simple and work slowly, making sure I don’t mess up. Slow and steady wins the race, after all. Jake and Alyssa are fighting over some icing, like children, not adults in their mid-twenties.

I’ve gone for a simple design of flowers, and so far, they’re looking pretty good. I have no idea what Jake’s doing. It looks like an icing explosion from what I can see, and Alyssa’s are just covered in sprinkles. I think it’s safe to say I’ve got this in the bag. Hannah looks up every now and again as she fixes my stitches on Bella’s sweater.

The timer goes off and it’s time to assess our work. If I don’t win, it’s definitely rigged. Hannah takes her time looking over each individual cookie before she makes her decision. “After careful consideration, there was only one clear winner. Congratulations, Charlie, you are today's winner!”

I smile, trying not to be too smug at my win, and wait to see who’s going to be crowned the loser. To be fair, it’s going to be close, they’re both terrible.

“So, it seems both my children lack any kind of creative bone in their bodies,” Hannah says whilst chuckling. “There can only be one loser today, however, and that is…Jake.”

Oh, the power I have with this favor.

Chapter 43

Jake

We say goodbye to Mom and Alyssa before heading to Lottie’s with Bella fast asleep in the back of the car. I can’t believe I lost the cookie decorating competition, although I have to admit, Lottie’s were a lot better than mine.

“Thank you for today, baby,” I say to her as she turns to face me.

“You never need to thank me Jake. I wanted to be with you.”

I take in her beautiful face: she’s got her glasses on, her hair in a messy pile on top of her head, and not a stitch of makeup on, and she still takes my breath away.

Pulling over, I reach for her. “Jake, what are you doing?”

“Something I’ve been wanting to do all day.” I bring my lips to hers and she meets my kiss eagerly, our tongues caressing each other. I swallow Lottie’s moans and whimpers, and when we pull apart, her lips are red and swollen.

“W-what was that for?” she says in a daze.

“No reason, I just needed to feel your lips on mine.” I wink at her and start the engine back up. “Let’s head home and eat those cookies. I’ll even make you a hot chocolate spiked with Irish cream?”

“Oh well, that is definitely something I can’t say no to. Let’s get going.”

Once we’re home, Lottie goes to get changed whilst I grab everything we need to make hot chocolate and put the cookies on a plate.

Bella is fast asleep in her bed, so no walkies are needed for that one. I hear Lottie call out, “Hey, Jake?”

“Yeah?”

“I know today isn’t your favorite, but I hope me being there helped.”

“More than you will ever know, baby.”

“And you now owe me a favor because you’re the loser and I’m the winner!” she shouts to me, and I can hear the smile in her voice.

I will do any favor she asks of me, anything that will keep that smile on her beautiful face. I’m so whipped.

“So, when are you going to cash in?” I ask as I walk in with the tray of treats. I wonder if she’s going to save it or use it instantly.

“Funny you should say that. I already know what I want to use my favor for.”

“Oh yeah, enlighten me.” I hope it’s something dirty.

“We’re going to have facials together,” she says excitedly. Ok, so when I said I’d do anything, I lied. I won’t be doing that.