Southern Sweets (Midnight)

by Cori Williams

  “Do you think you’re alright? I have to go check on the cake and make sure nothing happened when they delivered it.”

  “Yup, I’m fine. I can’t wait to see it,” she adds in a sing-song voice.

  I grin in return, excited for her to see the final product. I was nervous about screwing up my best friend’s wedding cake, expecting some major catastrophe to happen, but it had turned out gorgeous and I knew she would love it.

  As soon as I’m out of the room, I push my back against the wall and let out the shaky breath that I’d been holding. The ceremony is getting closer and the thought of being so close to Tanner is terrifying. I know it will be awkward and uncomfortable. Paisley doesn’t understand yet why Mommy and Daddy don’t live together because it’s just what she’s used to, but I know she’ll start to wonder about things soon enough, and I don’t think I’m prepared for that.

  I push off the wall, needing to forget about that today as I head towards the ballroom where the reception will be. The ceremony is being held out in the courtyard. “Ronny, you made it! And it looks amazing!” I head straight towards the table that’s situated in the corner and inspect the cake as Ronny, my delivery guy, carefully arranges it. “I sure did, Miss Amelia. I know how important this one is to you.” He winks and I grin, holding out my hand for the bag full of goodies so I can put the finishing touches on it. I went with a classic look for the cake but added a few special extras that I knew Monroe and Miller would love. I arrange the sunflowers a few different times before finally finding the perfect spots for them.

  “Thanks, Ronny. Are you heading back to the shop now?” It still feels surreal to say that. Though my personal life isn’t exactly easy, my career is going great. When I found out I was pregnant, I sort of panicked. How was I going to support a baby? How was I going to handle school? How was I going to manage anything? Especially on my own.

  Not that Tanner didn’t support Paisley, but it was still hard on me. I guess I could thank my nana for her big mouth. She had been the one person I was talking to in my family and when I ran to her to confide, she ‘somehow’ let the news slip to my parents. And somehow, they didn’t react badly. In fact, it was the complete opposite. Suddenly, I had supportive parents when I thought they would be the most disappointed in me. My mama fell into the grandma role perfectly, and our relationship was the best it had ever been. My parents helped me a lot with Paisley, which let me finish pastry school. As soon as I was done, Miller offered me something I couldn’t refuse: my own bakery. A storefront had opened up right next to Monroe’s dance studio, and Miller swiped it up as quickly as he could. When Miller and Monroe came to me with the idea that they would be my partners, I was in shock. I had always dreamed of having my own bakery, but I didn’t think it would ever become a reality—but it had, and now, Sugar and Spice was officially open. It was surreal.

  “Yup, I’m heading back to clean up, and then I’ll lock the place up for the night.” He raises his bushy eyebrows at me, a twinkle in his eye, and I want to run and hide in the corner. Getting into the kitchen is sort of an outlet for me to get rid of my anger and last night was one of those nights. I had to drop Paisley off with her visit at Tanner’s and Marissa had answered the door. I hated the fact that my daughter went to her dad’s house and this woman was like a second mom to her. I knew it was wrong of me. Marissa and I didn’t exactly get along. She hadn’t done anything nasty to me but the way she looked down at me, like she was the one who won the trophy, did not sit well. So instead of heading home to relax, I went to the bakery and let out some of my frustrations on about a dozen loaves of bread. By the time I was done, flour was coating every surface, including me, and dishes were piled everywhere. But at least I felt better.

  “Don’t you worry about that, Ronny. I’ll deal with it tomorrow. I don’t need you to clean up after me.”

  “No, you don’t worry. That’s my job.” He pats me on the shoulder. “And don’t you look beautiful today. Go knock ‘em dead, sugar.”

  “Ronny, I swear you don’t have to kiss the boss’ ass.”

  “Hey, I’m not kissing up, just speaking the truth. You have fun, save a dance for me later tonight.”

  “I sure will.”

  I stand looking at the cake for a few more minutes before finally deciding that it’s good. The ballroom looks magical with all of the twinkling white lights and pumpkin centerpieces surrounded by mason jars with tiny tea lights. Monroe hasn’t been in here since all of this happened so I know her breath will be taken away.

  I round the corner and run into my mom, who has a crying Paisley in her arms. “Oh, there you are, dear. I can’t get her to settle down for anything, I thought maybe I could get her to nap before the ceremony but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.”

  “Here, let me try.” Paisley wiggles right out of my mama’s arms and into mine, but the tears don’t stop once she’s there. “What’s the matter, little miss?” I sniff her bottom like only a mom would and she smells clean as can be. “Did you try a bottle?”

  “She wants nothing to do with it. Do you have the stroller in your car? Maybe that will work.”

  “It’s worth a shot. Do you still have my keys?”

  “Sure do, I’ll be right back.” She kisses Paisley’s forehead and she screams louder.

  “Oh my goodness, Miss Attitude. What has gotten into you? Are you already worn out for the day? I promise we’ll head home early.”

  A throat clears and my head pops up, my lips pursing when I see Tanner standing there in his tux with his hands shoved in his pockets. He looks delicious and I want to pull on the black tie he’s wearing, right into one of the empty rooms to have my way with him. Down, girl. It has been way too long since I got some. I glance at Tanner once more.

  Way too long if he’s looking appealing to me.

  Paisley’s head twists in the direction that I’m looking, and her crying stops as soon as her eyes lock with her daddy’s and she reaches both hands out to him. He takes a hesitant step towards us and I give a slight nod to let him know that it’s okay. What a little daddy’s girl. I can’t help but smile once he has her in his arms and she plants both hands on either side of his face as she baby talks at him. “Were you being a little fuss butt for your mama? Don’t you know that’s against the rules?” Paisley giggles when he tickles her belly. “She looks like a little princess in this.” His eyes close in on me. “Just like her mama.”

  “Thanks,” I answer stiffly. “Um…do you think you can handle her for a bit? I need to go check on Monroe and help her with a few more things. My mom will be back in minute.”

  His face tenses for a brief second, probably at the mention of my mom. She might have changed for me, but she isn’t a fan of Tanner whatsoever. The two of them don’t see each other often, but when they do, the ice queen in my mama comes out full force. It’s actually pretty entertaining to witness, and I think I love her even more for it. “Sure, I think I can handle this little lady for a while. You go on. Tell Monroe I say hi.”

  Well, that was sort of awkward.

  My mind is racing from seeing Tanner, but all of that’s forgotten when I walk in and see Monroe’s tear streaked face. “Roe, what’s wrong?” I rush over to her and she mumbles something as I wrap my arms around her. “What’s that, sweetie?”

  “I can’t get married to Miller. It would be selfish of me.”

  “Monroe, stop it,” I say sternly, already knowing what this is all about. It seems like it’s been bothering her more and more lately as the wedding got nearer. “You know Miller loves you and wants to marry you. That’s why he proposed.”

  “But I can’t have babies,” she wails, her cries piercing straight to my heart and I hurt for my best friend so much. She shouldn’t be upset like this on her wedding day.

  “You don’t know that for sure, sweetie. There’s so many different options out there. But it doesn’t matter. Miller knew all about that and he still asked you to marry him.”

&nbs
p; “I guess you’re right,” she agrees, sniffing once more before wiping at her eyes. “Oh, I look like such a mess, Amelia. Okay, you’re right.” She blows out a breath, reassuring herself again. “I think I got that out of the way for the most part. Can I just say you’re the best friend ever? You always know the right things to say.”

  I smile, grabbing onto her hand. “Well, thanks.” Now, if only I could say and do the right things in my own life. “Let’s get that makeup taken care of. It’s almost time to get this show on the road and get the most beautiful bride in the world down that aisle.”

  Chapter 2

  My feet are twitching underneath the table and I paste a fake smile on my face as I watch Monroe and Miller dance around the ballroom to their first song, “All of Me” by John Legend. It’s pure perfection. I should be happy for them, but all I can think about is who is sitting just inches away from me with a beer in his hand as he leans back casually in his seat. It must be nice to be so relaxed.

  Of course I’m dateless and my mom took off early with Paisley so I could have some adult time, when all I really wanted to do was go home and curl up with my sweet baby girl and get as far away from her daddy as possible. Life is funny sometimes. I wonder what it would be like to be in a normal relationship with your child’s father. I guess I’ll never know.

  “So.” Tanner nudges me in the side with his elbow and I turn my head, jumping when I realize his lips are just inches from my ear. “Do you have your speech all ready?”

  “Yep.” I pick up my glass, taking a long swig of my champagne before licking my lips and setting it back down. I had a feeling I was going to be drinking a whole lot more to get through the night. “You know, you don’t have to sit up here the whole night, I’m sure. You can go sit with Marissa.”

  “She’s not here.” He sits back in his seat and I breathe out a sigh of relief that he’s given me back my personal space.

  “Oh, really? Why?” I’m relieved that she’s not, but it seems strange. She’s known Miller for a long time and although Monroe hasn’t said anything, I think they went on a few double dates before. She would never breathe a word of it to me because she would feel like she’s betraying me.

  He shrugs before taking a long pull from his beer. “Paisley was worn out,” he says, changing the subject. My lips turn up into a smile at the mention of her. She was adorable walking down the aisle, stopping to greet many of the guests with kisses and hugs. She’s a little social butterfly, just like her mama. Then, when she finally made it to the end, she ran straight into her daddy’s arms, which twirled her around and she let out a musical giggle. It warmed my heart to see the two of them like that, thawing away some of the bad feelings I had towards Tanner.

  “She sure was. I bet she fell asleep as soon as she was buckled into her seat.”

  As soon as there’s no more Paisley to talk about, the air grows thick with tension, at least for me. Tanner still seems to be relaxed and I’m even more annoyed by that. I have a feeling this night is going to be a long one.

  ***

  Tanner’s been in my space all night without even trying, worming his way into my head and making me think too much. I can’t handle it. I end up at the bar more times than I can count, downing enough lemon drop shots to lay a football player down flat on his ass. When life gives you lemons… make them into a lemon drop shot. I know in my blurry my mind that it’s not going to solve anything but at least I’m having fun.

  “Amelia, I think you might want to slow down.” Monroe bumps her shoulder into mine on the dance floor and I shake my head, the room spinning slightly.

  “I’m good. I’m so good. I promise. I’m just having fun. Do you want another one? ‘Cause I think I need another one.” I hold up my empty glass and her eyebrows rise slightly.

  “No, I think I’m alright. I want to actually remember my wedding night.”

  “Fine, suit yourself,” I yell in a singsong voice, wiggling my empty glass in the air and heading towards the bar once again. After the next shot, it it’s like everything that I had drunk caught up with me and tipping back the glass is about all I remember.

  ***

  My eyes snap open and I pull in a garbled breath. “Where the hell am I?” I rub at my eyes that are still full of sleep and my vision blurs slightly when I look down, realizing I’m still in my dress from the wedding. I look at the clock on the foreign night stand, seeing that it’s four-thirty in the morning. My internal mama clock has gone off, this being the time that Paisley almost always gets up. How much did I drink last night? I don’t even know how I got here…wherever here is.

  I jump when I hear a deep snore sound from next to me and I slap a hand across my face. Did I really hook up with some random guy? What is wrong with me? I know I’ve been in a dry spell for quite some time now but random hook ups aren’t my thing.

  I squeeze my legs together, trying to tell if anything happened in the downstairs area. I mean, it’s been a long time. A. long. Ass. Time. There was sure to be a thick coating of cob webs. I would be able to tell if I was having wild monkey sex last night though, right? Maybe the dude had a small penis though. That was always a possibility.

  Why did I drink so much? I was all about those lemon drop shots last night—they seemed like the best thing since sliced bread. I force myself to crack my fingers apart and turn my head to the side. “Tanner!” I squeak, taking in his long body next to mine, only mere inches of white bedding between us. His corded tan arms, muscular from working endless hours of hard labor outdoors for Miller’s construction company, are tucked behind his head as he continues to snore with his mouth hanging wide open. What in the hell happened last night? I feel like I’m in some sort of weird twilight zone. “Tanner.” I shove hard on his side, my head swirling at the sudden movement and I press my eyes shut to stop the spinning. When I reopen them, Tanners staring at me with a sleepy smirk on his face. “How in the hell did I get here?”

  “You don’t remember?” One eyebrow lifts and then he chuckles, shaking his head. “Shit, Amelia. You were hammered last night. You’re lucky I was there to look out for you and some jackass didn’t take advantage of your…inebriated condition.”

  “What if I wanted some asshole to take advantage of me?” I snap back, pressing a hand to my pounding head that doesn’t agree with my raised tone.

  He snorts, sitting up straighter to let the blanket fall away and its then that I realize he has no shirt on. “Wait, you weren’t the asshole that took advantage of me, were you?” My tightens at the thought, panic setting in at the possibility. What is wrong with me? I inch away from him until I’m right at the very edge, gripping the comforter as I wait for his answer. He’s being quiet…too quiet for Tanner. The suspense is causing me to die a slow agonizing death.

  I finally bring myself to look at him and he has a smug look on his face. “Trust me,” he licks his lips and leans closer, “if you had The Cox last night, you would definitely remember it. No matter how drunk off your ass you were.”

  “Oh my God.” I roll my eyes and jump to my feet. “You are so ridiculous.” I start searching the room for my shoes and end up finding them in the bathroom sink for whatever reason and decide to carry them because my legs are still wobbly.

  “I’m not even gonna get a thank you?” he yells from the bed and I poke my head around the corner, offering him the sweetest thank you I can muster in his direction before going back on the search for my phone. “If you’re looking for your phone it’s in my pants pocket by the TV.”

  “And why aren’t your pants on?”

  He shrugs as I hurry past him and dig my phone out of his discarded pants. “I can’t sleep in my clothes like some people.” He eyes my dress that is rumpled and notably squeezing the death out of me. It was hell putting baby weight on and then have it refuse to come off afterwards. I didn’t seem to notice last night after a few drinks, but now, I just want to get out of here and rip it off in the safety of my home and slide right into a pair of com
fy pants and an oversized t-shirt. “Well, you would think for your wife’s sake you could’ve managed,” I reply as I power my phone on and blow out a breath of relief that I have no missed calls from my mom. Way to be a responsible parent, Amelia.

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  I snort and unzip my clutch that I find on the nightstand, pushing my phone in. “You know, I thought when we got together you were completely in the clear. Your wife had cheated on you. You were getting a divorce. That didn’t make me a bad person. But you on the other hand, are just that. You probably would’ve slept with me even if you were in a good place with Marissa. Who knows how many others there were?”

  “Amelia, that’s not—”

  “Don’t want to hear it.” I put up my hand to stop him. “Thank goodness Paisley has one stable parent.”

  “What in the hell are you trying to say?” He jumps to his feet. “I’m a good dad, so don’t even try to pull that bullshit with me. I would do anything for her.”

  “Yeah, anything except give her two parents. Together,” I shriek, shaking my head as tears blur my vision. “And that’s all your fault.” I know all of the liquor that I consumed last night is making me emotional and say things that I shouldn’t but he has me so worked up that I can’t stop the word vomit. At least it’s not actual vomit coming out, though if that happened at this particular moment in time and managed to splatter all over Tanner, I might not feel that guilty. “Stay away from me, Tanner. All you do is add stress to my life that I don’t need.”

  “Amelia, we have to communicate,” he says in a low voice and I turn away from him.

  “No, no we don’t. And if it comes to it, I’ll take you to court. My mom will be dropping Paisley off from now on. I don’t need you in my life.” I storm out of the room, slamming the door behind me, and I slump against the wall. Okay, I might’ve slightly overreacted. Tanner was trying to help me out since I let my drinking get out of control last night. But then he has to undress and say things to me that a married man shouldn’t be saying. It might be just jokes to him, but to me…its more. I wouldn’t say I was in love with Tanner when we were together, but I was close. I had been falling. And then, I wasn’t even given the chance to fall all the way. Without even so much as a warning, he was back with his wife. That betrayal still stung so sharply that my stomach rolled and I pressed a hand to my mouth, stumbling to my feet. Okay, maybe the alcohol had something to with that too.