Take the Cake

by Sandra Wright

  He blinked as he realized that the manuscript was complete, and after a brief hesitation, emailed it to Alistair. Watching the email send, he swiveled in his chair as he stared out the window again, and then with a herculean effort, got up from his laptop and walked away. It was out of his hands now, and it was time to find something else to do.

  Michael was standing in front of his bookshelves, shifting some of the contents around in order to make room for some of Kate’s things when the phone rang. It was his editor, Alistair.

  “Michael,” Alistair greeted him. “I got your email, and I have to say I’m surprised.”

  “You are? What’s wrong?” Michael’s mind was racing.

  “You’ve finished, and so far I like what I see.”

  Michael walked over to his desk and sat down, his face slack with surprise.

  “How are you feeling about it?” Alistair went on.

  “Good,” Michael said at last. “I think,” he amended. “I finished it earlier than expected, so I guess that’s a good sign.”

  “Early for you, but you missed your deadline by four months,” Alistair reminded him. “Still, it’s good to see you got back on the wagon.” Alistair wasn’t going to press the issue. Michael’s books had generated a vast and loyal readership, so there was no question of its marketability.

  Michael grunted a non-committal response as he toyed with a pen on his desk. His months of writer’s block were a painful, but thankfully receding, memory. He looked at his email screen again so as to reassure himself that the final manuscript had finally left his hands.

  “Listen,” he began, “I agreed with some of your recommendations on the earlier draft, but not all. I changed what I thought suited the text, and the rest I’ve left with your mark-up comments, so let me know what you think when you get to it.”

  “I’ll be reading it this week,” Alistair assured him. When Michael had advised that the manuscript would be arriving, the editor had breathed a quiet prayer of thanks and cleared his schedule as much as possible for the week. “So you’ll be hearing from me soon.”

  “When has that ever changed?” Michael smiled.

  Alistair sat up straighter in his office chair as he grinned, looking out the window of his high-rise office. He was enjoying this conversation more than he was prepared to admit. “Just playing to my strengths, Michael. You write, I pester.”

  “And you do it very well,” Michael replied.

  “Finishing your work obviously agrees with you. Is this a good time to talk about what you might be working on next?” Alistair picked up his pen and began to doodle on the pad in front of him. He wrote Michael’s name and put a question mark next to it as he spoke.

  “Give me a break,” Michael protested. “I’ve just finished the last one. Anyway, I’ve got a few things to organize here before I can start writing again.”

  “Another project?”

  “No, it’s to do with Kate,” Michael admitted. “You know, the one you met on the phone.”

  Sitting alone in his office, Alistair cringed.

  “Oh, Kate,” he said. “Right, we’ve met.”

  “Yes, you have, although you’ll get a chance to meet her in person when the book comes out.”

  “Based on what I’ve been reading, I look forward to it,” Alistair replied. “She sounds like an incredible woman.”

  Michael finished his conversation with Alistair and set the phone down, spying his empty coffee cup as he did so. Picking it up, he carried it into the kitchen, setting it down on the sink as he opened the dishwasher and began to stack the dinner plates from the previous night. True to form, Paul had arrived with a healthy appetite for someone else’s cooking and plenty of questions. Fortunately, there had been enough provisions in the refrigerator for Michael to make a big pot of chili, and when told what dinner would be, Paul had offered to bring the corn chips and sour cream.

  Kate had busied herself in the living room, setting the table and catching a news show after commenting that she was woefully behind on current events. Paul had remained in the kitchen and hoisted himself up onto the countertop where he’d sat and peppered Michael with questions about the forthcoming living arrangements.

  “You know I won’t let her sell the apartment, right?” Paul had asked before taking a swig of his beer.

  “I wouldn’t expect her to,” Michael had pointed out in a mild voice as he stirred the chili and tapped the wooden spoon on the rim of the pot before setting it down on the chopping board. “But if she ever wants to, it’s her decision.”

  “Ours,” Paul had clarified. “We’re both investors in the property.” He’d regarded Michael for a moment before continuing, “Listen, man, I’m not trying to be the bad guy here, but she’s my little sister. I’ve gotta know she’s going to be okay.”

  “She will be,” Michael had said as he sipped at his beer. “She and I have talked it through, and she’s talked to you. What else do you need to know?”

  “Nothin’,” Paul had admitted as he rubbed the back of his neck and surprised Michael with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I guess I’ve always looked out for her, and it’s kinda hard to let that go.”

  “No problem.” Michael had shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to have a brother or sister to relate to, the way you guys do.”

  “Wasn’t always easy,” Paul had confessed with a rueful smile. “We’ve had our moments. But once Jack and Gwen were gone, we suddenly realized we were all we had.” His expression had become pensive for a moment. “For a while there, I figured she and Tom would—” He’d broken off with a sigh, and then looked at Michael. “But we all know how that turned out.”

  “Was it that bad?” Michael had risked the question. He hadn’t wanted to pry, but with Paul in an expansive mood, he couldn’t resist the opportunity.

  “How much has she told you?” Paul had given him a shrewd look.

  “She told me how he came out, how it all happened.”

  “Man.” Paul had stared down the neck of his beer bottle and had shaken his head before having another swig. “She was philosophical at the time, but yeah, it was bad. She just retreated into herself for a long time.”

  Paul had thought back to the months after Tom had come out. Kate had put on a brave face when she was in public, letting her guard down only in the presence of Paul and friends whose discretion she trusted. She’d thrown herself into her studies and withdrawn from socializing. Paul hadn’t realized what had been happening until one of her friends had emailed him to give him the basics of the situation. He’d flown her to New York for a weekend, and she had seized at the opportunity to escape. By the time she’d returned to college, she still felt vulnerable but strengthened by her brother’s reassuring presence in her life. Mercifully, Tom had maintained a low profile, respecting his friendship with Kate enough not to flaunt his newfound lifestyle in front of her.

  Paul had watched as his sister forged a new life for herself, throwing herself into the endless variety that New York had to offer, but all the while maintaining a careful distance between herself and anyone that got too close. Watching her as the years progressed, Paul had lamented Gwen’s passing anew, wishing that Kate had someone to talk to. When Michael came on the scene, Paul had watched his sister slowly blossom.

  “Still,” the big man had continued, “everyone moves on, and the store has been really good for her.” He’d given Michael a meaningful look. “I’ve watched her go from strength to strength, so if she’s ready for what you’re offering, then more power to her.”

  The chili had bubbled in the pot again, and Michael had turned to give it a quick stir before glancing at his watch; dinner would be ready soon.

  “Thanks, Paul,” Michael had said. “She means the world to me.”

  “Likewise,” Paul had said, holding up his beer bottle in a silent toast.

  Michael had grinned and clinked his bottle against it before pitching his voice loud enough for his girl in the next room to hear
.

  “Kate,” he’d called, “dinner’s nearly ready.”

  “So am I,” Kate had called back and then had appeared seconds later to see Michael regarding her with a slight smile. “What?”

  “Nothin,” Michael had said as he gave her a quick kiss. “Just admiring the view.”

  “Oh, hush.” Kate had smiled. “You guys look like you’re having a moment.”

  “Hey,” Paul had objected, “we were having a serious conversation here.”

  “I dunno. Seems like there’s a bit of bromance in the air.” She’d narrowed her eyes at her brother. “What were you talking about?”

  Paul had been the first to blink. “Okay,” he’d said as he looked at Michael, “time for chili?”

  “Sure,” Michael had responded as he pulled the pot off the heat. “Get the corn chips, and there’s some fresh guacamole in the fridge.”

  Paul had given Michael a hopeful look. “How do you think that went?”

  “Smooth, Paul,” Michael had said with a laugh as he’d carried the pot over to the table. “Really smooth.”

  The evening hadn’t been late, but it had been very good. The conversation had been punctuated with teasing comments and laughter, and Michael felt the warmth of a genuine friendship growing between himself and Paul. It felt good, and it felt like family.

  Michael smiled to himself as he remembered Paul’s cautious line of questioning last night; Kate’s brother took his role of protector quite seriously, in a way that was loving but not intrusive.

  He finished stacking the dishwasher and then walked around the apartment, giving it a once-over. He found that he was looking at his home in a new light now that he knew he was going to be sharing it with someone else. He was pleased to note that there was plenty of blank wall space, so Kate would have fun finding places to hang her numerous pictures and curios. His mother had helped him furnish the apartment, and they had kept things to a neutral color scheme. No doubt Kate would be adding a lot of color, and he grinned at the thought. He couldn’t wait.

  ~~~

  “I’m cleaning up while we’ve got a moment. I don’t think we can afford to wait on stuff like that today.”

  “Do you think we’ll have enough stock?” Emily said as she slid another tray of turkey and ham wraps into the cabinet.

  “I guess there’s only one way to find out.” Kate shrugged. “We’re heading into the great unknown now, but it’ll be fun.”

  “I think so,” Emily agreed.

  “Speaking of which, Michael and I decided that we’re going to live together.” Kate kept her tone casual as she worked, not wanting to make a big deal about it.

  “Sorry?” Emily put her knife down and stared at Kate who was focusing her attention on the coffee that was trickling into the cups. “Could you say that again?”

  “Say what again?” Wren paused on her way to the dishwasher, a fully laden plastic tub balanced on her hip. “What’d I miss?”

  “I think the boss lady here—” Emily gestured to Kate, who was starting to froth the milk, and hid her grin, “—said something about living arrangements.”

  “Oh?” Wren’s eyes were wide with curiosity now. She set the tub down on the workbench with a thump and served a customer while Kate finished making their coffees. “One more, boss, tall latte.”

  “Right,” Kate said. She banged out the filter and filled it with fresh coffee that she set to percolate as she got the milk out again. Working seamlessly with Wren, the order was filled and the customer departed with a muffin and some coffee.

  Emily had gone back to work clearing up the workbench where she had been making the bagels and wraps, putting the cover back on the tubs of meat and fillings that she then moved into the refrigerator. As soon as the customer had left, she and Wren both pounced back onto the conversation with Kate.

  “Tell,” Emily commanded as Kate handed her a coffee. “What’s going on?”

  “And when did this happen?” Wren chimed in as she accepted her cup from Kate with a smile.

  “Yesterday morning.” Kate smiled. “We’re still working things out, but it’s definitely happening.”

  “Good,” Emily commented as she sipped at her coffee before setting her cup down with a smile and attending to another customer. It seemed their days of being able to relax for a coffee and leisurely chat were behind them.

  “You don’t think we’re rushing?” Kate asked, curious.

  “Nope,” Emily said as she returned to the conversation. “It’s a natural progression, and you guys are good together. Of course,” she went on, “it makes me feel better about telling you that Brad and I have been talking about it too.”

  The two women turned and looked at Wren.

  “We haven’t talked about it,” Wren answered the unspoken question, biting the inside of her lip. It was true. She and David hadn’t discussed living together. They had, however, discussed marriage.

  “So you and Brad,” Kate said with a speculative glint. “You’re going to have to tell us more.”

  “I could,” Emily agreed with a nod, “or I could get back to work.” She swigged down her coffee as another customer approached.

  “She got out of that easily enough,” Wren commented as Emily greeted her customer with a smile and got to work.

  “Sure did,” Kate replied, nodding as Emily called out the coffee order. She grabbed a takeout cup and set the coffee to percolating. “There’s something else we need to talk about too.”

  “Which is?” Wren gave Kate a wary look.

  “Our Christmas party,” Kate answered as she poured some milk into the stainless steel jug and began to froth it.

  “Ohh.” Wren’s face lit up. “Have you thought of anything?” As far as Wren was concerned, it was a welcome distraction. She avoided the topic of her relationship with David as much as possible, not wanting to jinx what was going on.

  “I’ve been looking around at some bars we could go to,” Kate said as she poured the milk into the cup and spooned on some milk froth before covering it with a plastic lid and handing it over to Emily. “And some restaurants nearby.”

  “Right.” Wren nodded. “Guess it won’t be as small as last year’s get together, either.”

  “You’re right there. For one thing, there’s Emily and Brad.” Kate smiled.

  “And David and Michael,” Wren added.

  “And Paul and a date if he’s got one,” Kate went on. “And maybe Tom, if he wants to come along. He’s dating someone, and it sounds like it could be going well.”

  “Really?” Wren was surprised at this. “You’ve heard from him?” Since Tom and Kate had what Wren now referred to as “The Talk,” he had been missing in action for a few weeks.

  “Not often, but we’ve been emailing.” Kate shrugged. “And he calls from time to time. This new guy sounds … nice.”

  Wren watched Kate’s expression turn thoughtful. “Is that nice in a good or bad way?”

  “Huh?” Kate glanced at Wren as she put the milk in the fridge. “Oh, it’s good, definitely good. Tom was actually sounding relaxed when we spoke. I think he might actually be settling down.”

  “Sounds like everybody’s doing it,” Wren commented as she picked up a dishcloth and gave the counter a quick wipe. “Maybe relationships have gone viral this year.” She grinned as Kate laughed. “But back to the main topic, what ideas have you had?”

  “Actually …” Kate stepped away from the coffee machine and leaned against the counter behind her as she folded her arms. “I was thinking about maybe having the party here.”

  “Here?” Wren looked skeptical.

  “What’s here?” Emily appeared at Wren’s elbow looking curious.

  “The boss is thinking of having the Christmas party here,” Wren explained.

  “We get a Christmas party?” Emily looked excited. “That’s so cool.”

  “It’s nothing huge,” Kate explained, “but I was thinking that we could have it here after hours. Think ab
out it.” She pushed herself away from the counter and rounded the coffee machine to gesture out to the shop front area. “We can move some of the tables aside, do it all by candlelight with some great music.”

  “And we can make some good food,” Emily supplied.

  “Oh, to hell with that.” Kate turned back to the two women with a grin. “I’m getting it catered. I don’t want us working in the kitchen if it’s our party. Plus if we have it here, we can kick our shoes off and have a really great time.”

  “You know,” Wren said slowly as she warmed to the idea, “I think you might be on to something.” A thought occurred to her, and she spun around to point at Kate and Emily in turn. “We’ll have to work out what you two are going to wear, of course.”

  “I didn’t think it would take you long to get to that.” Emily laughed. “I suppose you already have something in mind?”

  “I may have one or two ideas,” Wren said with a gracious nod.

  “Ideas?” Kate prodded.

  “Preliminary sketches,” Wren clarified. “Along with some fabric swatches.”

  “You started designing what we were going to wear to the Christmas party?” Emily asked in a faint voice. Wren’s forward planning could be a little intimidating at times.

  “Not really,” Wren admitted. “But I found some great vintage fabric pieces that I bought for a song and knew they would work for you two. Why not kill two birds with one stone?”

  “You’re on,” Kate said with a decisive nod. “But I’m paying you for them.”

  “Like hell you are.” Wren snorted. “They’re my Christmas present to you guys.”

  Kate walked toward her and put a friendly arm around her shoulders for a gentle shake. “Wren, I’m paying you for my outfit one way or another, so just get used to the idea.”

  “I won’t take the money,” Wren said as she put her hands on her hips.

  “Tough,” Kate replied in a voice that was just as stubborn. “Everyone that knows you figures it’s only a matter of time before you’re selling your stunning creations, so you might as well get used to the idea.”