by Eliza Ellis
“Sorry. Is it okay?”
“Sure. As long as you don’t touch anything.”
“You mean I can’t steal one of these cupcakes?” He was eyeing the tray of cupcakes she had prepared for their tasting.
“Not yet! Where’s Parker?”
His face darkened. “Not sure. She’s late, as always.”
Kat looked up at the clock above the door. “Well, the tasting isn’t for another five minutes. Maybe she’ll be right on time.”
Drew held up his cell phone with the text app showing. “Nope. She’s going to be at least thirty minutes late.”
“Oh. Well…”
“I don’t want to wait for her,” he said stiffly, lifting one of the cupcakes off the tray.
Kat rushed forward. “Wait! Let me do my presentation.”
Drew groaned and then chuckled when Kat swiped the cupcake from his hand. “Okay, okay. Although it’s not really necessary.”
Kat frowned. “It’s part of my job.”
He lightly pinched her chin. “I get it. I’m sorry. It’s just I’m not entirely convinced any of this is necessary. But don’t worry, I’ll eat all the cupcakes, no problem. I’ll love anything you cook. It’ll keep me in the gym for the next week.”
Kat eyed him suspiciously. He wasn’t convinced any of it was necessary? He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the doorframe, his gaze roaming around the kitchen. When his gray-green eyes met hers, he winked, and Kat knew. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
He shrugged. “Nothing. Do you want to wait for Parker? I don’t.”
“Andrew,” she gently prodded. “Tell me what happened.” Kat lifted her apron over her head and hung it on a spoke near the door. She took her friend’s arm and guided him to a small table away from the food. They sat down.
He rubbed his hands over his face. “Kat… If I had to guess, there’s not going to be a wedding.”
Kat couldn’t ignore how her heart lifted at the news. And then she felt sick with guilt. Her friend loved Parker. She had to be supportive. For crying out loud, she was baking their wedding cake. “I’m sorry, Drew. What happened?”
“Not on the same page about life. Where we should live and having a family.”
She bit her lip. She was afraid this was going to happen. She had wanted to say something sooner, but this wasn’t her business. His pained expression tore fissures in her heart, and she second-guessed her decision to stay out of it.
“So she told you about London.”
Drew’s eyes sparked with anger. “She told you? She told you we were moving to London?”
Kat nodded. “She said there was a good chance she’d be president of the international branch or something. That’s based in London.”
Drew scoffed and shook his head. He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “So all of this…” His eyes blinked a few times, his face flushed with anger.
It wasn’t her problem to solve, but Parker and Drew were her friends. She felt compelled to help ease the pain. If that meant bringing them back together, then she’d do it. But she didn’t have to like it.
“Drew, do you love her?”
His gaze met Kat’s. His lips parted, but no answer came. His eyeline drifted south.
After too much hesitation, Kat said, “Um, why not think about why you fell in love with her. You know, get back to the basics. Maybe rekindle what you once had.”
“Our priorities are different,” he said softly, still looking down somewhere.
Kat tried not to think that he was still staring at her lips. And she refused to imagine what it would feel like if their lips touched.
“What about five years from now?” she urged with a touch of irritation. “Have you two thought about that? Perhaps take some time to dream together. Get on the same page.”
Drew leaned forward. He reached out and hooked Kat’s necklace on a finger. “You still have this?”
He was staring at my necklace. Kat smiled, more relaxed that she was the only one daydreaming. “You gave it to me. It’s the best present I ever got.” Half of his heart. Too bad she wasn’t the woman who owned all of his. Her fingers caressed his as she held the necklace up. “I wear it always.”
“It was my mom’s idea. To give you half a heart. She told me we were two halves of a whole and that maybe we’d find our way back to each other.”
“Your mom is very sweet.”
Drew’s gaze latched to hers. “You’re very sweet,” he whispered.
Kat felt her neck warm. She shouldn’t be feeling this way about her friend. No matter what was happening between him and Parker, he was engaged, and she didn’t know who he was anymore. Was he still the same kind, adventurous boy she’d grown up with? He seemed to be, and talking to him was just as easy as she had remembered. But a lot of life had happened between then and now. He had mentioned depression and a dark time.
Not to mention he wasn’t free to explore anything with her.
Kat stood. “It’s just the cakes I bake. Want to try a new flavor? Let me get you one.”
Anything to stop herself form staring into his intense eyes that seemed to squeeze her with an ever-increasing tether. His hand caught her wrist. She turned around and gasped at how near he was standing to her. His fingertips drew a hot path down her cheek.
“I remember you,” he whispered. “Remember how simple things were when it was just the two of us?”
“Drew…”
“Things are so difficult now,” he continued. “It shouldn’t be like this. right before the wedding.”
“We’re different people. We don’t know each other.”
“You’re the woman who’s still wearing my necklace.” His hands cupped her elbows, and he gave them a gentle squeeze. “I know you.”
“Drew, please… You’re engaged.”
“Maybe to the wrong woman.”
Only a tiny piece of Kat wanted to disagree. She’d never expected he would look away from Parker and see her. “Do you really believe that?” her voice choked.
“I once promised to hold you in my heart,” he whispered. “At the tree by the lake? When we carved our initials into the tree.”
He did remember… Kat’s heart soared. She had never forgotten how she felt when they made those silly childhood promises. Like they could take on the world together and not lose.
He took a step closer, and Kat lost all ability to breathe. They were a breath away. How were they not kissing? He smelled like earthly musk, reminding her of the many jaunts they took together in the woods. His warm, sweet breath fanned over her lips.
With strength she didn’t possess, she severed their link by forcing her eyelids closed. “Please, Drew. Don’t do this to me.”
“You feel it too?”
“I…”
“Katrina, look at me.”
Inwardly she fought against his command. If she opened her eyes now, she’d never go back. And what if he did marry Parker? How would she be able to live with that? Her boyfriend dumped her, drowning her under a mountain of debt, and now she was baking the cake for her childhood friend and secret love. What if Parker expected her to be with her in London to cater? She’d be with her and Drew like a third wheel. That was too much to handle in a year.
It had to stop. She had to move on and create the life she wanted.
But how?
By facing her fears. Facing life and doing something different. Not being the scared little girl her father had always said she was. She’d never been as confident and as assertive as either of her sisters. They had the guts to leave home and pursue their dreams. She was trying to make her dreams a reality, but she was hitting wall after brick wall.
And now she was up against a hard, warm, wonderfully gorgeous wall of man she could drag herself all over all day long.
No! She couldn’t avoid this. Her father had instilled a terribly healthy phobia of jumping. Like when she and Drew would climb up the trees at the lake and jump off their branches into the water
. Where had that fearless girl gone?
Taking a chance, she opened her eyes.
“Tell me not to marry her, and I won’t.”
Oh, no. He was ready to jump, and she wasn’t. When they were kids, it was the other way around.
She wanted to take control, and Drew handed her the controls. Could she do that to Parker? Tell the man Parker loved not to marry her? They were already not on the same page. Parker seemed determined to do what she wanted, go where she wanted to go, and live where she wanted to live. Drew was stubborn, but he’d met his match in Parker.
A voice inside told her Parker wasn’t right for Drew. Now was the time to face that fact. But what kind of friend would she be if she agreed? Colluding behind Parker’s back to break off her engagement? This wasn’t her responsibility. It was Drew and Parker’s.
“I can’t,” Kat whispered. “You and Parker have to work this out for yourselves.”
He nodded. “I know. And that’s why this is all wrong.”
“I don’t understand.”
He leaned down. “I’m beginning to…”
The words kissed her lips. Kat’s heavy lids drifted shut. She couldn’t deny that she hadn’t thought about kissing her once-childhood friend. From the moment he had walked back into her shop, it had plagued her mind. His image had invaded her dreams. She didn’t fight his arms circling her waist and drawing her into his warm embrace. Even told the angel inside of her to pipe down so she could hear the metaphorical symphony that was supposed to play whenever you kiss the right man.
“What is this?”
Not the symphony.
Parker’s screeching voice.
Kat wrenched free from Drew’s embrace. Shame flooded her insides, and embarrassment heated her face.
Parker stood with hands digging into her hips, her hair slicked painfully back into a bun that only sharpened the appearance of her her already angled cheekbones. In a coal-black pantsuit, she looked like the grim reaper, ready to suck the life out of Kat.
And she deserved it. “Parker—”
“Don’t!” She held up a hand, halting Kat’s steps forward.
Drew dragged a hand down over his eyes. Why didn’t he look embarrassed? “Parker. You finally show up,” Drew said testily.
Kat’s head snapped in his direction. He wasn’t even the least bit sorry?
“Not late enough, it seems.” Her angry gaze vaulted from Drew to Kat. “Some friend you are, trying to steal my man.”
Drew sighed, signs of weariness marring his handsome face. “Parker, we need to talk.”
“No? Looks like you’re more in the mood to make out with my best friend!” she yelled.
Kat wanted to die. Her heart constricted painfully in her chest, and her eyes flooded with tears. “Parker, please. This…this isn’t what it looks like.”
Parker laughed harshly. “You’re seriously using that line, Kat? Out of all the people, I never would’ve expected this from you. The sweetest girl I know is a conniving backstabber.”
“Don’t blame her,” Drew said firmly. He put a hand to his chest. “It was all me. She didn’t want any of it.”
“Oh?” Parker crossed her arms over her chest, a look of feigned disbelief. “Is that why she looked half-swooned. I could swear I heard her sigh your name.”
Kat put a hand over her eyes. She didn’t remember that at all. Parker had a flare for the dramatic, but she wasn’t wrong about Kat not backing away. If Parker hadn’t come through the door when she did, Kat would still be in Drew’s arms—that Kat was sure of.
“Parker, that’s enough,” Drew said. He took her arm. “Let’s go somewhere and talk.”
She yanked her arm free. “I think we’ve done enough talking,” she hissed.
Her sharp gaze refocused on Kat. “We will no longer be needing your services. You’re fired. No cake, no wedding planning, no friendship. I don’t ever want to see your face again. If I do, I’m going to let everyone know how you go around stealing other women’s fiancés. And to think I felt sorry for you and your ex!” She laughed viciously. “He had the right idea leaving you.”
“Parker!” Drew escorted Parker out.
Kat stood in the middle of her kitchen, shaking.
How did this happen?
Chapter 10
K at stared at the tray of colorful cake flavors for the testing. Neither Parker nor Drew would be tasting them now. With a shaky breath, Kat inhaled and exhaled slowly. She put back on her apron and hairnet and took the tray out to the front. At least the patrons would eat them. No one ever turned down free samples.
Susie rushed forward. Eyes of the patrons on them. Had they heard the argument? Despite her threat to keep quiet if she never saw Kat again, Parker was incredibly loud. The news and reason for Kat’s firing would be known by half the town by the end of the day.
“Kat, what happened?”
Kat cleared her throat and moved past Susie. She methodically set the cupcakes onto the sample tray. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t give me that. We all heard. Then she came out here screaming like a banshee. Drew looked angry, and he didn’t pick up the order he’d placed earlier.”
“Really? Parker was screaming?” Kat’s lower lip trembled, but she maintained her composure.
“Parker was yelling about him cheating, and then she said your cakes were trash just like you. I’m glad he got her out of the shop as quickly as possible. That’s not good for business to have someone loudly complain about how terrible your product is.” She shook her head in disappointment.
Although none of that was remotely true and Kat felt their goods spoke for themselves, she couldn’t help feeling even more guilty that Susie had to experience that embarrassment.
“Susie, I’m so sorry about that.”
“Is anything she said true?” Susie whispered her question. “Katrina?”
Kat sighed. Reluctantly, she met her boss’s bugged-out eyes. “Yes, it’s true.”
Susie’s mouth hung open.
“Well, not exactly.” She finished placing the cupcakes out. “I hope you don’t mind, but they aren’t going to be coming back for a taste testing.”
“I should say not.”
Kat’s shoulders slumped. She’d lost a major order. A wedding cake was good business for them, especially Parker, since she would undoubtedly order the most expensive one. Parker didn’t do cheap. And it was a rush service.
“Parker walked in on Drew and me almost kissing.”
“Almost?”
Kat nodded. “I know it’s wrong—”
“So nothing happened.”
Kat groaned. “That’s not the point, Susie!”
A wicked gleam flashed in Susie’s eyes, and she smiled. “Well, well, well. You stealing Drew away, huh?” Susie punched Kat in the shoulder. “Katrina Kaye, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“This is a joke to you?”
“I think it’s progress.”
Kat didn’t have any words.
Susie smirked. “We can both agree that Parker’s a bit…much. The way she practically berated Drew when they first came in here? I’m surprised he’s still with her. He wants to marry her? What is he, as sadist?”
“Apparently they have some heavy history together.”
“Is that a reason to stay when you’re unhappy?”
Kat considered what Drew had said earlier. He and Parker weren’t on the same page. They were both stressed out for different reasons and Parker seemed hell-bent on pursuing her career at the cost of the wedding. From what little Kat knew of Drew, he wasn’t going to give in to Parker’s demands easily.
If he gave in at all.
Which was exactly the stubborn Drew she remembered.
“You think Drew’s unhappy?” Kat asked dubiously.
“Unhappy enough to kiss you at his own wedding cake tasting?” Susie quirked her eyebrows and chuckled. “Oh, yeah. He’s real unhappy.”
Kat rested her back against the counte
r and covered her face with her hands. “I’m so embarrassed.”
Susie rubbed Kat’s arms. “Yeah, well, it’s not the end of the world.”
Kat dropped her hands to look at Susie. “But I lost a client for you. I have three new flavors and I was really looking forward to some feedback.”
“I told you they were amazing.”
“Feedback from clients,” Kat said dryly.
“Well, they’re being sampled now, so you’ll get compliments soon enough, don’t worry.”
Kat wanted some good news now more than anything. She had potentially ruined two friendships, and a wedding cake was big money for Susie’s shop. Susie had talked about expanding the shop to the empty unit next door, but she couldn’t do that without more funds. They were already limited on the number of wedding cake orders they could fill due to the small size of the kitchen staff, and Susie had already raised Kat’s salary to help her out with her bank loan.
If Kat were to apologize to Parker—which she had to do anyway—then maybe she could convince her friend to reconsider canceling the order. Susie could bake the cake; Kat didn’t have to be involved.
And any other devious thing Parker had in mind for Kat to do to make up for everything. Kat didn’t put it past her friend to follow through on her threat and let everyone in town know what a homewrecker Kat was.
“I’m going to apologize. Get her back in here and order that cake.”
“Like I said, Drew did put in an order for a few dozen cupcakes earlier before you met him for your tête-à-tête. Not exactly wedding cake money.”
“Susie! It was not…wait, what did he order?”
“A few dozen cupcakes and…” Susie picked up the laptop and scrolled to the order page. “Yup, a few dozen cupcakes and some specialty bread. Then another order of your famous donuts—have you entered them into the statewide contest yet? You need to get more eyes and tongues on them.”
Kat cringed. “That doesn’t sound good.”
Susie rolled her eyes. “We’re talking major publicity, Kat. Your creations are incredible! You have a real talent for creating unique flavors. Get your entry in, STAT. If you want feedback, you need to get yourself out there.”