by Pavan Kaur
“No, the glitter will just get in there too. Good thing there is a shower in the shop,” he tells me.
I give him a funny look. Why does he have a shower in there?
“We got it a while ago. Once we had a massive cake disaster. We got a shower to be on the safe side.” Ocean looks down his body and shakes his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this.” I’m sure he is already planning something.
"I will see you later, and how about a date Friday night?"
“That would be amazing, as the glitter will take a few days to get out,” he sounds a little gutted that our date has been cancelled, but it will give him more time to plan it.
“A few days, I think there is enough that you will…” Ocean turns to face them both, and they stop talking. "I will get you back for this, just watch your back." Pointing his finger between them both, I start laughing as they both stop laughing. He has a plan brewing in that head of his. It might make me a bad friend, but I'm excited to see what he has up his sleeve.
***
Neil and Cassie were amazing. They are happy with me carrying on with the wedding. Cassie's dad said to keep her happy, he will up the budget a little for me now that I’m working on my own. It was amazing, as Betty has been bad mouthing me to every person I have ever spoken to while working there. I have a hand full of people that will give me their loyalty. The rehearsal dinner and the wedding day will be tough. I don't have the people, and this job is too big for me to be training newbies.
I give Ocean’s staff a smile as I head into the office. “Hey buttercup,” Ocean walks over and gives me a kiss. “You okay? Was Neil a dick?”
“No, they were both amazing.” I put my folders on the table and Ocean wraps his arms around me to give me a hug. “There is just so much to do, and now I don't have any of the companies to help me.” I look at him as he pulls away from me and I sit on the chair next to his.
"Come on buttercup, you can do this. I know you can. What things do you need help with?" Ocean leans forward and takes my hand in his so I will stop fidgeting.
“I have Amie looking after the bride’s dad because they always seem to drink a little before they have to walk their girl down the aisle. Tan is on flowers and looking after the bride and that’s it. I need about four people to be mic’d up so they can walk around and make sure nothing is out of place. I need someone at the party hall to make sure everything is going well. And someone to be with the groom so that I know everything is going well there…”
“Breathe. I will have the cake sorted, and I will be your man with the groom. I will mic up so I can tell you everything…”
"Ocean, it's your brother’s wedding. I can't ask you to do that." As sweet as he is, he needs to enjoy the wedding. Not worry about me stressing.
“ You’re not asking me, I’m offering. I know Neil will be fine. There will be nothing to worry about with him. I’m taking the easy job,” Ocean looks out at the kitchen staff as we hear a loud noise. He lets go of my hand and walks over to the door.
"Sorry boss." I look at one of the girls, I haven't learnt all the staffs' name's yet.
"Come on, what do I always say - make sure you make room on the counters before you take things out of the oven," Ocean tells her, and then starts to walk back to me. He stops midway. "I've got an idea, you can say no, but it will give you the help you need. They might not be experienced, but I know you can make them at least half usable." He starts laughing.
“There is no way I trust Marc and Blake, as much as I know they won’t do anything to ruin the wedding, I just….”
“Don’t worry buttercup, I wasn’t talking about them,” Ocean bursts out laughing. “Even I don’t trust them with my brother’s wedding. I meant them,” he points to his staff. I look over at them working, icing cakes, making flowers, then I look back over at Ocean watching them.
"Ocean, I...I don't know, I mean they work for you, not me."
"Yeah, and if I want them to work for the woman I love, they will work for her," Ocean grabs my hand and takes me out to the kitchen. "Round up everyone," Ocean yells at them, they all gather around. "We all know who this beautiful lady is," he points at me, and they all start nodding. My cheeks have gotten a lot redder than I want them to. "So Emma, as we all know, is planning Neil and Cassie’s wedding. If you all listened to Isla, you will know that she left her job. She’s still planning the wedding. The only problem is she has no companies to help her. For now, will you all work with her for the wedding? If so, you will all be going to Jersey and taking part in the wedding."
"Yes, hell yes, we will help. Won't we guys? What do you need us to do?" Jake asks.
"Ok then, let's get this show on the road. Jake, you are on cake duty. If you fuck it up, I don't think it will be good for you. I will finish it but you will be taking it to the venue and setting it up. Are you good with that?"
Jake gives Ocean a nod, then looks over at me. I can't help but smile at him as he gives me a wink. "Thank you, everyone," I tell them all and see them all walk off and continue to work on their cakes.
"So, that is your help sorted. What else has you stressed?" Ocean turns to face me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "I don't like you stressing. I like to see you smile and laugh."
“Do you still have glitter on you?” I ask as I see something sparkling on him. I’m trying very hard not to laugh.
“The stuff doesn’t come out. I’ve tried twice now.” Glitter falls from his hair as he shakes his head and I start laughing. “They are two up on me now, so I have a few things planned.” He kisses me again.
“I think they are ready. But seriously, thank you for getting your staff to help me.”
Never thought I could feel this way about someone so fast. I know I never want it to stop. Ocean Rivers is the man I want to be with every day. I’m sure he’s my happily ever after.
“We’re a team now buttercup. Want to see the cake design?” he asks walking back to the office.
"Yes, you said you were going to show me. Cassie said she left it all up to you. She said you had the perfect idea and didn't want you to change it."
“I remember her talking about this cake she loved and if Neil asked her to marry him, it was the cake she wanted. It’s not the easiest cake to do.” Ocean pulls out the folder from the desk and I look at some of the other designs.
"Are all these cakes for this week?" I look at the baby shower, birthday, and anniversary ones. The designs are amazing. Ocean really does have talent and he followed his dream.
“Yeah, we have a few others that the team are getting ready. Here is the design. It might sound stupid, but I really hope you like it.” He hands me the folder.
I love looking at the cake designs. It says a lot about the couple. At least I think it does. If they want something small it's because they don't want the cake to over shade the wedding. I thought Cassie would want something big and bold, different. Opening the folder, I smile. It's different. I’ve not seen a cake like it in all my weddings.
"Ocean, this is incredible. I've always wanted to see an upside-down cake at a wedding." I get all excited. I’ve advised couples on cakes like this but I could never get them to agree. Ocean’s design is gorgeous.
Chapter 20
Ocean
It's been two weeks and Emma has been working nonstop. She's been working with the team telling each and every one of them what they have to do. I’ve reminded them how important this wedding is. We had to cancel our Friday night date, because she was getting really stressed out, about working on the wedding alone. I told her that maybe going out would be good for her, but that was the wrong thing to say. She said she needed every second of the day to work on something, not to be going out having dinner. I knew then that I had to just let her work on the wedding, so I have kept everything the same, I have planned my big date for after the wedding, like it was going to be from the very start.
Sitting on the sofa, I watch Emma designing the tha
nk you cards to give out. We've spent most of the time at my apartment just because I don't trust Tanya and Amie. Who knows what they might be up to. I have one big prank to play on them, but in the meantime, I'm getting them back for the glitter. I mean that shit didn't come out of my hair for a week. They are about to find out how it feels.
The group’s coming over later tonight. I told Emma she needed a night to relax. She's been working tirelessly on this wedding. She's been designing thank you cards and every design she made either Cassie didn't like them or Neil didn't like them. She’d start from scratch after every fail. She's finally made a design they both like and now she has to make over a hundred of them. I can see it’s getting to her. I told our friends to come over tonight and we can just have a nice night in.
Tonight, Tanya and Amie will find out how hard it is to get glitter out of your hair. Blake and Marc thought it was funny when Tanya sent them the video of the car incident. I have to admit those two girls did do a good prank.
"Hey, how about we pack up for the night? You've been at this all day now, everyone will be here soon. Tanya said she was going to pick up some food for us. Marc's picking up the beer." My arms wind around Emma as she sits on the floor at the table with all her artsy stuff. I never thought this much work went into planning a wedding. I suppose I've never really looked at all the little details but why would I? I am a guy.
"Almost halfway through but I know it will be worth it when I see Cassie's face. She's gonna be so happy." Emma leans back into me and I give her a kiss on the neck.
"Well, I think you're doing an amazing job." She is, I've seen all the work she has been putting into this from the start, and it's a lot.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime, buttercup.”
The more time I spend with Emma, the more I'm falling for her. There is just something inside telling me she is the one.
“I haven’t even asked about work. How are all the cakes coming along?” Emma asks as she starts putting all her things away into the box.
“It’s been a bit hectic. I have some cake orders for next week so it will be busy.” Someone knocks on the door and I go to answer it.
“Hey,” Marc walks into the apartment and hands me the beer. “I love your girlfriend. I finally got to sit down with her dad, that man is a legend. He gave me so many tips on how to improve myself.” He walks over to Emma and gives her a hug. “Thank you so much for letting me have lunch with your dad today.”
"You’re welcome. He did send me a message to say that you seem like a guy who knows what he wants in life." Emma comes and grabs a beer from me. "And my dad’s not the easiest person to impress. Trust me."
“Does he like me?” I ask. We’ve seen him a few times since the first time I met him. I get the feeling he does.
"Yes, he likes you, and he likes that you're a businessman," Emma gives me a wink. I've even met her mum. She is a lot different than Emma's dad. She is a lot freer and takes everything a day at a time. I've taken Emma to my parents' house twice in the last two weeks. I was so happy when my mum said that she liked her. My mum didn't think I'd find a girl I’d fall hard for and my dad never thought I'd find a girl so beautiful. I have to admit, I do have a gorgeous girlfriend.
Emma goes to open the door as someone knocks again. As soon as the door opens, I hear the girls screaming. I knew they would be excited to see each other. Emma has been so busy and told them that she needed to get a few things done. They haven’t seen each other for a few days now.
I give them both a hug and see Blake walking in behind them. "You guys up for a night at the club?" No hello or anything from him, just straight to the point.
"Sure, your bed getting lonely?" Tanya asks him and he starts laughing.
“My bed is never lonely. Just a shit day at work and I thought a night out would be nice,” Blake takes a beer from me and walks over to Marc. He whispers something to him then Marc gives me a nod. I see that our night in, as been changed to a night out. I just hope Emma doesn’t get annoyed with it, because I wanted her to relax for a bit.
I turn to see Emma talking to Tanya and Amie, so I walk over to the guys. “What’s happening?” I ask.
"Make sure Tanya and Amie walk out the door first. Your first payback is ready," Blake says with a smile. When I told them about my idea for the big prank they were up for helping me. Marc said they have two up on me, so I have to get a small one in there first. This is the one Blake came up with.
I think Emma knows I’m up to something, but I know she won’t say anything. Her words were, ‘this is between you and the girls’. Amie never gets involved unless Pete ends up in hospital, Emma told me that Amie has been waiting for her or Tanya to get a boyfriend, so she can finally join in on the pranks. I could tell Emma my plan, but I want to see her face.
“They won’t know what hit them,” I look over at them as they start taking out the Chinese food out of the bags.
"Nope and the best part is, we aren't even doing it for a few months. They will think you won't do anything." Blake taps his beer bottle with mine. That was the main idea. I want them to think I have nothing planned. I want them to think I forgot what they did to me. Then out of nowhere, bang. I'm smiling just thinking about what we have prepared for them.
“You guys eating or are you going to keep talking like girls?” Amie walks over with her food and beer. The three of us agree, we’ve never been around girls that are so forward and it was a little surprising to us, but we like it.
"We were talking about a trip if you must know." Marc walks past her.
“Where we going?” Amie asks us and the three of us look at each other. I’m not sure when we invited them on our trip. We have only started talking about it two days ago.
“We?” I look at the girls sitting on the couch.
"Sorry, was it boys only? That's fine, we can have a girl’s only trip," Emma turns to face Tanya. "I want to go somewhere hot on the beach so I can get some sun on my skin in a bikini." I bite the inside of my cheek. I know what she is doing and it's not going to work either. "I want to go somewhere I can take my top off so I won't get tan lines…"
“Now, that’s where I’m going to jump in. I don’t think so. The only place you can go topless is in mine or your bedroom. Or like last night in here, but it only happens when I’m in the room, and only me.” I sit down next to her and move in closer. “And tonight I was hoping you’ll be topless in the shower with me,” I whisper to her. I feel her body shiver which makes me smile.
"I'm only messing with you. I have no money for a holiday or the time."
“We only spoke about it the other day. It’s Marc’s birthday weekend. I’m not sure where we’re going yet though…”
"We said Amsterdam. I'm booking it tomorrow," Blake adds and I glare at him. Thanks asshole. I wasn't going to keep it a secret from Emma, but I wanted to be the one to tell her.
“I hear the strip clubs there are amazing,” Tanya looks at me with a smile. “You better be a good boy. Out of the three of you, you’re the one that has to be good.” Giving me a wink, I shake my head at her.
"I think you know Ocean well enough to know he would never cheat on Emma. He's never cheated on anyone. He has and will always be a one-woman guy," Marc tells them. I do love my friends. They make me sound so manly. They are right though, I would never cheat on anyone. I would never disrespect a woman, that's not me.
“And I think I’ve just fallen in love with you a little more,” Emma gives me a quick kiss.
“Buttercup, you’re stuck with me. I’m not letting you go, ever. You’re all mine now,” I give her neck a little kiss.
***
"Have you two moved in together?" Blake asks looking over at my bedroom.
“No, she’s been here most of the week, so she has brought a few of her things here,” I tell him. There were nights that I had to tell Emma to go to sleep because she has been working so hard on this wedding.
I never knew all the work that went in
to a wedding. You always look at the big picture, but you never look at all the little details that have to be done to get the perfect big picture.
"You're thinking about it though," Marc adds. I hate that he can see through me.
"I am, but not just yet. I’m thinking about asking after the wedding." I grab another beer off the table and look over at Blake. "How is the website going?" I asked Blake to design a website for Emma for me. He works for a big company and with his friends discount, I got a great deal.
“Yeah, it’s almost done. Just got to do the little things, but you can show her if you want.” Blake pulls my laptop over to himself.
"Thanks, man. After the last two weeks, she needs to see she can do this herself…"
“Ready.” Turning my head to the right, I watch Emma walking over to me. She’s showing off her sexy legs, giving me a smile and a wink. “I take it you like?” She gives me a kiss.
“I do, but I love you in my hoodie too.” I pull her into my arms. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Yeah, and that can wait until we all leave the room,” Amie shouts at me. Do these girls ever think with a clean mind? I ask myself.
"Don't worry I will, but this surprise I can share with you two crazy girls too," I tell them, and walk Emma over to Blake. "If you don't like something, then let Blake know and he will change it for you." Emma looks at me raising her brows.
“Now I am interested in this,” Emma looks at the laptop as Blake turns it around. She looks between me and the screen a few times before she kneels on the floor and starts looking through it all.
"If you hate it, Blake can start it all over again," I quickly add. Her silence is making me worry. I might have overstepped. Maybe she wanted to do it herself.
"You made me my own website?" Emma looks up at me. Heavenly Weddings by Emma. "This is amazing Ocean, I don't even know what to say." Emma gets up and gives me a hug.