Let Them Eat Fruitcake

by Melody Carlson

  “Does it snow here for Christmas?” asked Lelani with wide eyes.

  Kendall laughed. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

  Megan wasn’t about to say anything just now, but she knew that she wouldn’t be getting her hopes up either.

  Two

  Anna Mendez

  “Honestly, Edmond,” said Anna for the second time. “I cannot go out with you tomorrow night.”

  Edmond adjusted his glasses, then smiled hopefully as he leaned over her desk holding out a pair of tickets. “But I got these just for you.”

  “Tickets for what?” She knew Edmond was a Blazers fan. Hopefully he hadn’t assumed she was into sports, since nothing could be further from the truth. But maybe it was too early for basketball. How would she know?

  “For the ballet. They were supposedly sold out, and the seats are in the orchestra section.”

  Anna frowned and turned off her computer screen. Never mind that she was supposed to be editing a children’s book that was due last week. But the Thanksgiving weekend had gotten in the way and now, a week later, she was really in a crunch. Even so, this was Edmond’s family’s publishing company. If he didn’t care, why should she? “Why didn’t you ask me first?”

  “I wanted to surprise you. You said you loved the ballet, Anna.”

  She blinked. “I told you that I used to dream of being a ballerina, Edmond. But then I took ballet lessons and quickly discovered that I have absolutely no grace. Plus I’m too short.”

  His smile faded. “So, you really won’t go with me?”

  “I can’t go.”

  “And you’re not even going to tell me why?”

  Anna pressed her lips tightly together. No way was she going to tell Edmond that she was being forced to be one of twelve bridesmaids in her cousin Maria’s over-the-top traditional Latino wedding. She knew he’d expect her to invite him to accompany her. Knowing Edmond, he’d probably even talk her into it. But that was just not going to happen. For one thing, it was going to be thoroughly humiliating to wear that silly hot-pink satin dress—with ruffles, no less! She did not need Edmond there to witness her embarrassing discomfort. Besides that, and perhaps even more importantly, she didn’t want to go through the painful process of introducing Edmond to everyone in her large extended family. Although she’d gone out with him several times now, she just wasn’t ready to bring him on board as the new boyfriend. Her parents hadn’t even met him yet. And her mom would throw a fit if, say, Tia Elisa were to meet him first.

  “I’ll tell you this much,” she said with a weak smile. “It’s a family gathering—and I am not looking forward to it at all.”

  “Then don’t go.”

  She laughed. “If only life were that simple.”

  “Come on, Anna,” he pleaded. “Now you’ve got my curiosity going. What could possibly be that bad?”

  “These lips are sealed.”

  He grinned now. “Hmm … is your family part of some weird cult? Do you wear black robes and remove chicken parts from people’s bellies?”

  “Oh, Edmond!” Despite herself, she laughed. “If it was something like that, I might actually invite you to come.”

  “So what is—”

  “Just give it a rest.” She shook her finger at him.

  “Fine.” He tried to look offended but was unconvincing. “If that’s the way you want to be.”

  “Okay, here’s the deal, Edmond. If you promise to quit bugging me about this, I’ll take you to my family’s restaurant for dinner next week.”

  “Seriously?” He brightened now.

  “Sure, my mom’s dying to meet you.”

  “What day?” he asked eagerly.

  She considered this. “They’re closed on Mondays. So how about Tuesday?”

  He shook her hand. “It’s a date.” He held up the tickets. “And maybe I can exchange these for next weekend.”

  Anna wasn’t sure how to respond. It wasn’t like she knew much about the ballet, but on the other hand, it might be interesting. “Sure,” she said with a smile. “And now if you could leave me alone for a bit, I might be able to get some work done before your uncle observes me slacking on the job.”

  Edmond laughed. “Right, Anna, that’s something that they’re always saying around here. ‘You know that Anna Mendez, she’s a real slacker.’”

  Anna waved him off and returned her attention to her computer screen, but she could tell that Edmond was still hovering.

  “How’s the Ramsay Rowan book coming?” he asked quietly.

  “Well, I thought we might actually make some progress now that Ramsay’s out of rehab, but she’s even harder to track down now.”

  “I don’t know why my uncle contracted a kids’ book from someone like Ramsay.” Edmond shook his head.

  “You mean besides the potential to sell a boatload of books?”

  “That’s only if Ramsay stays clean and doesn’t embarrass us.”

  “I know.” Anna sighed. “She hasn’t been out of rehab for a week yet, and I’m worried she’s going to fall off the wagon again.”

  “I haven’t seen anything in the tabloids.”

  She peered curiously at him. “You read the tabloids?”

  “Felicia says it’s part of my job—publicity, you know.”

  “I’m glad I don’t work in marketing.” She gave him a warning glance. “Uh, speaking of work, Edmond, are you going to get any done today?”

  “Hey, talking about the Rowan book is work. By the way, some samples of the illustrations are supposed to come in this afternoon.”

  Anna stood up. “Well, why didn’t you say so? I saw the FedEx guy leaving just a little while ago.”

  “What are we waiting for?” said Edmond as he took off toward the marketing department with Anna on his heels. He quickly shuffled through the FedEx packages until he found the right folder. Then they went to his office, which was even smaller than Anna’s. As she waited for him to open it, she had to remind herself that Edmond Dubois, sans the surname, was actually an Erlinger. He’d kept this secret from her for quite a while, acting like he was Felicia’s lackey, when he was really a member of this old publishing family. But he was happy to pay his dues, and Anna appreciated that attitude.

  “Here we go,” said Edmond as he peeled back the attached layer of parchment paper to reveal the painting beneath.

  “Oh!” Anna didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. “That’s really good, Edmond.”

  “You sound disappointed.”

  “Just for the illustrator. I mean, what if the book doesn’t happen and she’s put so much work into this? It doesn’t seem fair.”

  “The illustrator still gets paid for what she’s produced. Plus, she gets to keep her work.”

  “Oh … well, okay.”

  Anna was about to leave when Edmond asked her if she wanted to do dinner and a movie.

  Anna frowned. “Tonight? I can’t.”

  Now Edmond looked exasperated.

  “Sorry, but really I can’t.”

  “Another family thing?”

  She nodded. “Believe me, if I could get out of it, I would.”

  His eyes lit up now. “It’s a wedding, isn’t it?”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Hey, we made a deal, Edmond, I promised to take you to La Casa Del Sol if you quit talking about—”

  He pressed his forefinger over his lips now. “Mum’s the word.”

  “I need to get to work.”

  But he followed her down the hallway, and she could tell he wanted to say something.

  “What?” she turned and stared at him.

  “Well … I can’t believe you don’t want an escort, Anna. I mean, it’s a wedding, right? And you’ll be by yourself and—”
r />   “Edmond Dubois!” She gave him her best threatening look.

  “Nothing,” he said quickly. “I was saying nothing.”

  “Good!” She turned on her heel and walked off. Of course, she knew it didn’t take a genius to figure out that she was going to a wedding, but sometimes Edmond’s persistence reminded her of a pit bull. And she didn’t need him pressuring her to take him along.

  Fortunately, that was the last she saw of him for the remainder of the afternoon. And to make sure she didn’t see him again, she went out the back exit, which wasn’t so odd since she’d driven her car today. But even so, she felt sneaky as she hurried to start the engine in her little Mini Cooper. The only reason she’d driven today was because she knew she’d be in a hurry. She wanted to go home and change without risking being late to the rehearsal.

  “Hey, Anna,” said Lelani as they both entered the house simultaneously. “What’s the hurry?”

  “I have to be at a wedding rehearsal at six,” she said as she set down her bag. “And it’s in the city.”

  “Oh, yeah, Maria’s wedding.”

  Anna blinked. “How do you—” Then she nodded. “I’ll bet my brother invited you to come.”

  “He did.”

  “And did he warn you?”

  “He said it would be cultural experience.”

  “That’s one way of putting it. Are you going to go?”

  “Sure.” Lelani smiled. “I think it’ll be interesting.”

  Anna rolled her eyes. “I wish I felt the same. Anyway, excuse me, but I need to get ready.”

  Anna would’ve been just as happy not to change her outfit, but because it was casual Friday at the publishing company, she had worn jeans to work. And she knew that would not be acceptable attire for Maria’s rehearsal and celebration dinner. The other thing Anna knew, from years of experience, is that it never paid to rock the family’s boat. Not unless one’s personal stakes were extremely high. In the case of Maria’s wedding, they were not.

  “Have fun,” called Lelani as Anna emerged wearing a charcoal-colored business suit. Okay, it wasn’t exactly festive party wear, but it was the best she could do quickly. And it was better than jeans.

  Of course, as soon as Anna entered the church, she knew she’d made a mistake. As usual, everyone seemed to be wearing flamboyant colors, and the crowded center aisle of the sanctuary resembled a Latino rainbow. The whole place smelled of too much perfume.

  “Oh, Anna, who died?” teased Anna’s younger cousin Eva as she handed Anna a mock bouquet of plastic flowers.

  “No one,” said Anna as she stretched to kiss Tia Elisa’s cheek.

  “You didn’t have time to change into party clothes after work?” Tia Elisa gave Anna a sympathetic frown.

  Anna just nodded. Some things were better left unsaid.

  “We need all members of the wedding party to go to the back of the church,” called out another one of Anna’s aunts. Tia Marguerite was the self-appointed wedding coordinator. Whether invited or not, she usually forced her way into a power position at all family weddings. Anna dreaded to think what would happen if she ever decided to get married. Perhaps she’d simply elope.

  Anna went back to join the other bridesmaids, all of whom seemed to be in the appropriate party mode. Anna tried to fit in, with a forced smile and appropriate laughter. She knew the rules. She also knew this was going to be a long evening. And tomorrow would probably be even longer.

  “Hey, Anna, did you hear that Maria had a meltdown today?” whispered Caroline. Caroline was Maria’s older sister and one of Anna’s favorite cousins. She could usually trust what came from Caroline’s lips.

  “A meltdown?”

  Caroline nodded. “The stress was getting to her.”

  “I don’t know why people go to so much trouble over weddings,” said Anna, keeping her voice low. A statement like that could be considered treason in this crowd.

  Caroline shrugged. “It almost makes you want to go to Vegas, doesn’t it?”

  Anna laughed. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  “Not that you two have anything to worry about in that regard,” said Eva from behind them.

  “What?” Caroline and Anna said in unison as they both turned around to peer at their eavesdropping younger cousin.

  “I mean it’s not like you two are getting married any time soon.” Eva looked at them innocently. She wasn’t even nineteen yet—but she had already acquired that I-know-everything sort of attitude that so many twenty-somethings seemed to take on.

  “And why should we want to?” asked Caroline. “I’m not even thirty and Anna is—what?”

  “Twenty-five,” Anna supplied.

  “That’s like old maids,” said Eva smugly.

  Caroline took in a sharp breath, then looked at Anna.

  “No,” said Anna carefully. “It’s like young women who want to have a life before they get tied down with a husband and children.”

  Fortunately Tia Marguerite started clapping her hands and trying to get everyone’s attention. And Anna hoped that her comment, which was obviously heard by most of the wedding party, would not get her into trouble.

  As usual, it took quite a while for their oversized group to go through the paces a few times. But finally, Tia Marguerite was marginally satisfied, and they were all excused to the restaurant where the festivities would continue. If the dinner weren’t being held at Anna’s family’s restaurant, which had been closed for the occasion, Anna would have considered making a quick appearance and then leaving. But she knew she wouldn’t get off that easily. Nor would she be allowed to help in the kitchen, which would be preferable to being questioned as to when her “big day” might be coming. Or worse, to being the target of sympathetic glances. She was, after all, the girl whose heart had been broken not so very long ago—at least in their eyes. To Anna, it had been another lifetime.

  The truth was, Anna had been thinking about Jake a lot less since moving into the house on Bloomberg Place. And it had helped enormously to spend time with Edmond these past few weeks. Sure, he was nothing like smooth, good-looking Jake. Anna had even considered Edmond to be somewhat nerdish at first, but he had grown on her. To be perfectly honest, he had grown even more appealing when she discovered he was part of the Erlinger family. Not that she was proud of her reaction.

  Anna had participated in two family weddings since breaking up with Jake and, she told herself, this one should be different. Really, her aunts should’ve forgotten all about Anna’s broken heart by now.

  But before the night was over, she knew that was not the case. She almost reconsidered asking Edmond to be her escort to the wedding. Ugly hot-pink dress or not, it might be worthwhile having a guy on her arm.

  But when she called Edmond’s number and got his voicemail, she could not bring herself to swallow her pride and ask him. Really, she would sound so desperate and sad and pathetic. Anna hung up without even leaving a message. She knew he had caller ID, and if he wanted to, he would return her call. If he begged to come with her, well, that would be different. She would give in. And all would be well.

  Three

  Lelani Porter

  It had been a long day at the Nordstrom cosmetics counter and, even though it was Friday, all Lelani wanted to do was to put her sweats on, put her feet up, and put in a DVD. She knew there was no chance of Gil popping over, since he was helping with the wedding rehearsal dinner at the restaurant tonight. And that was fine with her, because she was looking forward to a quiet evening at home.

  She’d just heated a bowl of soup and was about to turn on the TV when she heard Kendall calling her name from the stairs. Tempted to jump up and hightail it to her bedroom, she knew it was too late when Kendall came bursting into the living room looking, as usual, like a million bucks. Well,
a million bucks in that blond, slightly plastic, Barbie sort of way, which really wasn’t Lelani’s cup of tea.

  “There you are, Lelani.” Kendall smiled triumphantly. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

  Lelani set the remote down. “Sorry, I was just turning on the TV.”

  Kendall frowned. “You look like you’re ready for bed.”

  “Not really, but I was ready to relax. I was just about to have some soup and watch this—”

  “No, you’re not,” said Kendall sharply. And before Lelani could protest, Kendall snatched the bowl from her.

  “I thought it was okay to eat in—”

  “That’s not the problem.” Kendall chuckled as she set the bowl on a side table. Then she reached down and grabbed Lelani’s hand, pulling her from the sectional. “No canned soup for you tonight. I’m treating you to dinner.”

  “But I—”

  “No buts,” said Kendall as she pushed Lelani toward the hallway leading to her room. “You go and put on something fun. You and I have big plans.”

  “But I’m—”

  “I said no buts, Lelani, and I mean it. Besides, if you’ll remember, you promised me that you’d go out with me sometime.”

  Lelani did remember. It was an evening not too long ago when Kendall had been depressed about her life and how it wasn’t going anywhere. She’d said that was one of the main reasons she shopped and drank too much. She also said that she wanted to change. Feeling sorry for her, Lelani had offered to go out with Kendall just to prove there were ways of having fun that did not involve clubbing and drinking and hooking up with guys.

  “I draw the line at clubs,” Lelani repeated, just in case Kendall dared revisit the topic.

  “We’re not going to a club. Come on, come on,” urged Kendall as she stood in the doorway to Lelani’s bedroom.

  Lelani just stood in front of her closet, blankly staring at the contents. Really, the last thing she wanted to do tonight was to go out with Kendall.