“She is one enthusiastic cookie instructor.” I noted, as she buzzed around the room. “Is cookie instructor a thing?”
“I believe the correct terminology is cookie artist.”
“And where does one learn this profession?” I wrapped the apron string around my waist.
“You have heard of bakers, right?”
“Yes, but you can be a baker and not be artistic.”
“Not a good baker. And she charges eighty-five dollars per head, so you know she’s good.”
“You paid eighty-five bones?”
“No, I paid eighty-five for me, a hundred for you since you were a last-minute add.”
“Damn, Celeste and I would have only charged a flat thirty dollars.”
The instructor passed out illustrated direction cards. With a picture of the finished product.
“For the record, my cookies are more sprinkles and googly eye based,” I informed him.
“Those are the best kind. I love when you bite into a cookie and the sprinkles drop everywhere like snowflakes.”
Cookie decorating was much like a paint night with the girls sans alcohol and dirty jokes. There were three designs and the cookie artist walked us through decorating each one. Because it was the Christmas season, our three designs were a snowman, a wrapped present, and a snow globe, which proved to be the most difficult.
At the break, we were approached by the only other male and female couple in the room.
“Not going to lie, when I saw you two walk in I was so relieved. I thought for sure I was doomed to be the only guy in attendance. I’m Sterling and this is my wife, Melodie.”
We exchanged first meeting pleasantries, followed by Melodie asking, “So Belen, how much arm twisting did it take to get Kris to do this?”
“It was actually his idea and I just couldn’t say no to that face.” I stroked the side of his cheek.
“A guy who’s into cookie decorating, sounds like a catch. How long have you two been married?”
My face puckered. “Oh no … we’re not?—”
“We just hit the six-month mark,” Kris said straight faced.
“We’re newlyweds too. Let me see your ring.” Before I could object, Melodie was reaching for my hand, finding it ringless.
“You know what,” I stammered. “We didn’t exchange rings at our wedding. It was more about a soul connection. Our minds and bodies aligning.”
Kris flashed me an impressed expression. I could be a daft liar when I needed to be and I didn’t see the harm in pretending. It’s not like we were ever going to see them again.
“I love that. Marriage is not about the material things,” Sterling said.
“No, it’s about the things we can’t see. The undeniable connection between beings.” Kris bopped the tip of my nose. He was laying it on a little thick, just like the icing on our cookies. “And don’t let Belen fool you. She has a stunner of a ring at home, but she was feeling a little swollen today so she opted not to wear it.”
“Swollen?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes, from the baby.”
“Oh my God how far along are you?” Melodie asked.
I looked to Melodie and Sterling and then back at Kris. “Uhm two months along. Honey, I thought we weren’t telling people yet.” I tugged at Kris’s sleeve.
“I know pooh bear but I’m just so excited.” Kris was fully in character, the loving doting husband.
