“Stand up, let me look” Wren commanded as Michael and David exchanged greetings. Kate dutifully got to her feet and did a slow twirl for her inspection. Wren felt very pleased with herself. “What did Michael get you?” Kate tipped her chin back to set off the necklace, and Wren stepped forward to look at it. “Oh, it’s gorgeous. I love it.” She grinned her approval at Michael, who inclined his head in a gracious nod. He was sporting a beaming smile, one that seemed out of proportion to her compliment, and she squinted at him in puzzlement before turning back to Kate and giving her the same look. Kate contrived to look innocent but a matching smile kept breaking through.
“What else did he—” Wren began, and then her eyes widened as she grabbed at Kate’s hand. “Oh, my God,” she squealed as she wrapped her arms around Kate for the second time that day.
“How did it go?” David asked Michael in a quiet voice as the women exchanged hugs and kisses of delight.
“Just like I hoped,” Michael said with a smile. “You?”
“Soon,” David commented, “but not yet.”
“You’ll know when,” Michael assured him, and they both turned their attention back to the women they loved.
Emily and Brad soon followed Wren and David’s arrival at the store. Like Kate, Emily had to offer herself up for inspection and approval, which was, of course, duly forthcoming by the designer. Emily was wearing a periwinkle blue tunic over black leggings, teamed with what looked to be a vintage cardigan, and of course like Kate, she had followed Wren’s footwear suggestion. Emily had been eager to open her garment bag when she got home and had spent a long time pouring over the hidden details that Wren had included. The cardigan buttons had been replaced with black and white crystal creations that resembled snowflakes, and Emily had been delighted to discover the same buttons on the tunic’s pockets and in a row down the back where Brad had to fasten her into the dress instead of zipping her up.
“You like?” Wren said after inspecting her with a proprietary air.
“Love it,” Emily confirmed. She glanced at Brad and, seeing he was exchanging slightly star-struck greetings with Michael, stepped closer. “It’s comfortable and sexy, and it does wonders for my confidence,” she added with a grin. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” she added in a slightly louder voice.
“You will soon.” David had turned at Emily’s pronouncement and draped an arm around Wren’s shoulders with a smile.
“Really?” Kate hadn’t missed that comment and her face lit up. “Wonderful!”
Anything else she had been about to say was drowned out by Paul’s booming welcome as he entered the store with a date in tow, his gaze seeking out Michael’s almost immediately. When he saw Michael’s triumphant smile, he let out a war whoop of delight and lunged for his sister in a way that really got the party started.
“Kate, I’d like you to meet Christine.” Paul wore a beaming smile as he put his arm around his date’s shoulders to draw her closer.
“It’s a pleasure.” Kate smiled as the two women shook hands. “I’m really glad you could make it.”
“Thanks.” Christine smiled as she glanced up at Paul who winked at Kate. “It feels a bit like I’m crashing the party, but Paul insisted it would be fine.”
“And rightly so,” Kate assured her. “It’s great to have you here.” Kate considered her for a moment, cocking her head to one side. “Actually, this is going to sound really cheesy, but I think I might have seen you somewhere before.”
Christine laughed at this.
“Oh, you sound like me. I say that to people all the time, but it’s because I meet so many people. I’ve got a stall at the—” Christine broke off as she glanced over Kate’s shoulder and a pleased smile appeared on her face.
“You were saying?” Paul asked with amusement.
“Um, I think we have met,” Christine went on. “You’ve got my fox on your wall over there.” She pointed, and Kate obediently turned to look at the wall before glancing back at Christine with a beaming smile.
“That was you? But this is wonderful.” Kate was delighted. The night just kept getting better.
Wren darted into the kitchen and a few minutes later reappeared holding the Bollinger aloft and a waitress with a tray of champagne glasses in tow.
“Celebrations all round!” she crowed to Kate as she handed the bottle to David for him to open.
“You knew?” Kate asked, jumping when the cork was removed with a loud “pop.”
“About that?” Wren gestured to Kate’s hand. “Not at all, but I just knew this party was going to be one to remember.”
“Big occasion?” the waitress asked as David began to pour the champagne into the waiting glasses.
“Pretty big.” He nodded with a grin. “The owner there—” he indicated Kate with a nod, “—and my best friend—” another nod, “—just got engaged, plus it’s the store’s Christmas party.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she enthused as she watched the wine bubble into the delicate glasses. “This looks like a great place. They must have a lot of fun,” she observed in a wistful tone.
“They sure do.” David smiled.
The glasses were dispensed and held high for a toast of congratulations and wishes for the holiday season. Kate gave a gracious speech conceding victory to Wren, who in return offered her heartfelt congratulations to Kate and Michael as David stood by her side stroking her back. The store was warm against the chill outside, and the joy everyone felt just made everything seem warmer. Food began to circulate into the store from the kitchen, the music got turned up, and the party began in earnest.
A couple of hours later, Kate looked up as Michael leaned down to kiss her neck and whisper in her ear. The door was opening, and Thomas stepped inside with a smile. Kate blinked at him, trying to work out what was different and then realized what it was. He was fashionably dressed as always, but this time his smile of greeting seemed more authentic. There was no showman style greeting, no flamboyant expressions, just Thomas looking at her with a warm smile that reached his eyes, and he walked toward her holding someone’s hand.
“Kate,” Thomas greeted her, “hey, girl.” He released his partner’s hand to wrap his arms around her for a hug. Stepping back, he reached out and pulled his date to his side. “I’d like you to met Stephan.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Kate smiled as she shook Stephan’s warm and calloused hand. “Tom, I’m so happy you could make it. Things wouldn’t have seemed the same without you here.” Kate looked around to see that Michael was already arranging drinks for the new arrivals, and she beamed at Michael as he appeared at her elbow with two more glasses.
“Tom, it’s been a while. How the hell are you?” Michael smiled as he handed over the glasses.
Kate watched as both men fell into an easy conversation. She sometimes doubted that Michael and Tom would ever enjoy a true friendship; Thomas still got territorial from time to time in an “I was here first” kind of way, which Michael matched with an unspoken “finders keepers.” Fortunately, they were both able to recognize that their common bond was love and protectiveness for the woman that connected their lives.
“He was nervous, you know,” Stephan mentioned in an undertone to Kate as Paul greeted Tom with the kind of cheer that indicated a major headache would be forthcoming the following day.
“Really? Why?” Kate looked at Stephan in surprise. They hadn’t been talking for long, but Kate had taken to him immediately. Stephan was a furniture restorer, whose quiet, deliberate manner seemed to soften Tom’s edges and bring a measure of peace to her friend. Watching the two of them together, she could see that Tom was genuinely happy in a way that made him relax at long last. It seemed that everyone had found a measure of completion to his or her life that had already seemed happy and full.
“It still bothers him,” Stephan went on. “You know, the history with you and the way he came out.”
“I don’t see why. Things are fine now,” Kate said as s
he sipped at her drink and accepted another canapé from the circulating tray.
“They are,” Stephan agreed, “but now that he’s happy.” He gave a self-effacing laugh. “Sorry, I’m not trying to talk myself up here,” he explained.
“S’okay, go on.” Kate waved for him to continue as she chewed.
“Being happy now makes him realize how long he wasn’t. Happy, I mean. I think he worries that he took it out on you or held you back some.”
“I think it’s safe to say that things have moved on,” Kate answered, and at Stephan’s questioning look, held up her hand so that he could see the ring.
“Is that what I think it is?” Tom appeared at her side. “Paul just told me.” He wrapped his arms around Kate for another squeeze. “Sweet girl, I’m so happy for you,” he murmured into her ear.
“Thanks, babe,” Kate whispered as Stephan silently relieved her of her glass so that she could wrap her arms around Tom. She looked over his shoulder to see Stephan approach Michael and shake his hand as he offered his congratulations. “Looks like we all got our happy this year.” They released each other, and Tom stepped back and looked at his feet as he cleared his throat, and then called for another drink. “I’ve just got one problem,” Thomas announced as he accepted a glass.
“What’s that?” Kate looked at him with concern.
“The music,” Thomas sighed. “Let me guess. Bear?”
“Some of it,” Kate agreed. “Not up to your standards?”
Thomas gave her a pitying look. “Oh, honey, we can do so much better, which is why I came prepared.” He threw back his drink and went over to the small pile of discs Stephan had set down on one of the tables beside their keys and made for the stereo. The music was changed, the volume turned up, and then the evening just kept getting better.
Sometime later, Kate made her way over to where Brad and Emily were laughing and chatting with Bear. Christine had zeroed in on Wren as soon as she had discovered who had been behind the outfits Kate and Emily were wearing. Soon they were talking about the markets and their creative outlets.
“So, Brad,” Kate began, smiling when she felt Michael’s arm snake around her waist. They had been in constant contact with each other all night as their delight in each other seemed to grow. “Emily tells me that you knew about Michael here long before the rest of us.”
“Sure.” Brad nodded with a grin. He had been a little intimidated when first introduced to Michael, but the two men had talked about mutual authors of interest and Brad’s work in the store. When he had heard that Michael’s book was entering the production phase soon, he had scored a minor coup for his workplace with Michael agreeing to appear for a book signing and literary luncheon event.
“Brad, I think we might need to do something about this. Do you think she needs to know what she’s marrying?” Michael teased as he kissed Kate simply because he could.
“Maybe some reading material?” Brad guessed.
“Sounds good,” Kate replied as she grinned at Michael. “I guess I’ve got some catching up to do.”
“I’d better get in on that given he’s about to become family.” Paul appeared between them and put his arms around their shoulders. He gave a theatrical sigh. “It’s not often a new family member comes with study obligations.”
“Sorry to cause all the extra paperwork.” Michael laughed.
“I’ll live,” Paul sighed, and then he grinned at Kate as he released them both and reached for her hand. “Nice.” He gave a low whistle as he looked at the ring. “You know you’re giving Christine all sorts of ideas, right?”
“Christine?” Kate challenged him.
“Okay, me,” he conceded. “I was hoping he’d ask you soon. The suspense has been killing me.”
“You knew?” Kate looked in surprise at Michael, who nodded and took her glass to go get a refill. “Don’t tell me he asked you for my hand in marriage.”
“Oh, hell, no.” Paul shook his head. “And besides, you’re not mine to give away. It’s your choice entirely. Michael just wanted to make sure I’d be okay with it.”
“Really?” Kate was looking puzzled now. David had been standing nearby and, hearing their conversation, stepped forward after seeing Michael had been collared by Wren and Christine.
“Think about it. He’s an only child of two academics. He didn’t want for love, but his whole social interactions were very different. He grew up on college campuses, surrounded by adults, and then fell into an introspective career,” David went on. “He’s never been one to go around with his heart on his sleeve, but you’ve loosened him up more than anyone has before.” David looked at his oldest friend and smiled. “I think you’ll find he surprises you with how he goes about some things, but never doubt his sincerity.”
“I don’t,” Kate vowed, her words brushing past David and flowing toward Michael who took a breath as he turned to her and smiled.
Michael looked at Kate enjoying herself, surrounded by people she loved. The walls of the bakery shimmered in the golden candlelight as laughter lilted around the room. Another bottle of champagne popped and was cheered by those nearby before it was poured into the waiting glasses. Words bubbled in the air, flowing from one person to the next, the argon tying them all irrevocably together for eternity. Words began whispering in the back of Michael’s mind, and he returned to Kate’s side to give her another kiss. The words were gathering momentum now, growing louder in his head, but they were tied to such a happy moment in his life that he knew he would be able to recall them with ease when the time came to begin writing again. He’d never felt more content.
Epilogue
Beginnings, Endings, and the Eternal Breath
Kate darted out of the kitchen to peer up at the wall clock in the store, and then returned to the kitchen with a sigh where she picked up her piping bag and got back to work.
“You okay, boss?” Kristyn paused in the doorway and looked at Kate with concern.
“I’m fine,” Kate assured her. “Just waiting for something.”
“Oh.” Kristyn half-turned back to the storefront before stopping and looking at Kate. “So long as you’re okay.”
“Sure.” Kate nodded at her again and poised the piping bag over the waiting cupcake. It was true; she felt perfectly okay although she wasn’t sure she could say the same about Michael.
The store phone rang, and Kate re-appeared from the kitchen to snatch up the receiver before Kristyn or Emily could react. They could tell from Kate’s smile that it was Michael on the line. The conversation was brief and ended with “I love you” before Kate hung up and turned to face them with a grimace.
“Tomorrow,” she sighed. “There’s been a hold up, and Michael will get his advance copy tomorrow.”
“What’s this?” Kristyn looked up from drying cups from the dishwasher and stacking them on top of the coffee machine.
“Michael’s book,” Emily explained.
“It’s out?” Kristyn looked excited at the news. “Fantastic. I’ll get a copy on the way home.” She beamed at Kate. “I love his books. I can’t believe you guys are married.” She shook her head at the memory, amazed that she had been there the night one of her favorite authors had announced his engagement at a private party she happened to be working at.
“Sorry, Kristyn, you’ll have to wait a few more days, but Michael gets a copy ahead of the stores.”
“Figures.” Kristyn shrugged. “He wrote it, after all. What do you think of his others?”
“Can you believe Kate hasn’t read any of his books yet?” Emily nodded toward Kate who glanced at the wall clock and then took down three cups to make them a mid-morning coffee. Kate’s reading habits—or lack thereof when it came to Michael’s body of work—had been a recurring joke over the last few months, but Kate had stuck to her guns.
“You haven’t?” Kristyn was amazed. “But what about the one with—”
“Nope.” Kate shook her head. “I figured I’d start with the latest o
ne when it’s out, and then work my way backwards from there.”
“Oh, I see,” Kristyn replied, although she wasn’t sure she understood at all. Kate seemed easygoing about it all, but she was bound to have her reasons. “Well, I’m sure you’ll love it when it arrives.”
“It just better arrive soon, that’s all I’m sayin’,” Kate muttered as she got back to work.
~~~
The next day, Michael stood in the apartment doorway, signing for the special delivery package with a hand that was remarkably steady. Closing the door, he carried the parcel to the sofa and sat down to unwrap it. Discarding the wrapping paper, he sat turning the book over and over in his hands, and then after huffing out a long sigh, leaned back onto the cushions and began to read. Two chapters later, he remembered himself and snatched up his cell phone to send Kate a message.
It’s here. Reading now xM
He picked up the book again and looked back at his phone when it chirped a few minutes later.
Cant wait. See you 2nite. xK
~~~
Kate let herself into the apartment with a sigh of relief. After getting Michael’s message, the hours had crawled by. Emily had finally snapped during the late afternoon and told her to go home. Kicking off her shoes and leaving them by the door, she walked into the living room.
“Hey,” she greeted Michael who was sprawled on the couch with a book on his chest. “Is that it?”
“Sure is.” Michael gave her a tired smile.
“Have you been reading it?” Kate crossed the room toward him and gave him an inquiring smile.
“All day,” Michael admitted. “I finished it about half an hour ago.”
“But I thought you already knew what it was all about,” Kate commented as she nudged his legs on the sofa so that he could make room for her to sit down. She sat and picked up the book, running her fingertips over the embossed jacket.
“It wasn’t a book when it left me.” Michael shrugged as he sat up and scissored his legs around her waist to anchor her against him as he nuzzled at her neck, making her squirm as his stubble rasped against her skin.
Take the Cake Page 53