“I don’t think Phillip’s going to like a wedding cake much. Even if it’s made of gluten-free cupcakes.”
“Of course, Phillip’s not going to like it much. So what? Do something outside Phillip’s box for once in your life. Start with your wedding planning, because if you wait until after you’re married, there’ll be nothing of you left.”
Phillip said he’ll be coming straight from the university, so Sophia drives us to the bakery.
“So. Phillip’s going away tomorrow night?” she asks as she drives.
I know the darkness she’s headed toward. “Don’t go there. It’s morally wrong.”
“What are morals anyway?” Sophia says as I pick up my purse.
I hate when she waxes on. It’s the worst, because half the time, she’s got a point, and it’s always the opposite kind of point from what I was raised with. So she always ends up confusing me.
“Soph…”
“Morals are simply rules made in the sand by human beings,” Sophia continues. “They’re codes. And everybody has their own. Slammer, for example, has very few moral codes. That bastard hasn’t called me back in two days,” she grumbles. “But that’s another story. Now Phillip—he’s surprising the fuck out of me. The man has screwed-up fantasiesanda bucket list? That is not the Phillip Rowe I know. This Phillip is certainly a hell of a lot more interesting. Still selfish to the core but with a level of intrigue to him now. Not that you deserve to have to deal with his bullshit, and I don’t approve of his new ‘I’m too busy for anyone because I have research’ attitude. So, on that note.” She points at me. “What are your plans while Phillip’s away? Because you at least need to spend time doing things for you, Lei, such as painting.”
We park in the bakery lot, and I say, “I painted all afternoon.” I pull up the picture I took on my phone and show her.
Sophia whistles. “A couple horseback riding. That’s beautiful. Were you inspired from your ride with Brayden?”
A blond woman behind the counter interrupts before I have to answer. “Are you girls here for the wedding cake tasting?”
“Yes,” Sophia says. “This is Leleila, the bride-to-be…” She puts her arm around me. “And I’m Sophia, the best friend. The groom is late but should be here shortly.”
“Wonderful. I’m Winny.” She pats at her blond hair with bright orange streaks running through it. “Another party will be doing a tasting tonight also. No one else is here yet, though, so just take a seat at that table in the far back, and I’ll be right over.”
Sophia insists on me sitting in the outer chair… “So the first thing Phillip will see when he walks in are your legs. Thatiswhy you’re wearing the skirt, right? So he’ll notice you.”
I try to deny her statement but take the seat she points out. She sits across from me as Winny approaches us with a two-tiered glass plate in her hands. Gorgeous bite-sized cake morsels, in various colors and styles, are scattered on both tiers.
Sophia claps her hands. “This is the perfect dinner, Winny,” she jokes.
Winny puts the plate in the center of the table. “I know. Dessert instead of dinner. Why do you think I wound up in a bakery?”
She puts one napkin in front of me and one in front of Sophia. “Okay, girls, try this top one here.” She gives us each a piece of vanilla cake with buttercream icing.
I bite into mine. “It’s so good,” I say just as the bell rings at the door.
The back of my neck tingles.
“No way,” Sophia says, her mouth dropping open. “I think you’ll want to see who this is, Lei.”
I turn my head, and the cake in my hand drops onto the plate.
Even from across the room, those blue eyes are blazing into me. “Brayden?” I say.
He shoves his hands in his pants pockets and nods. “Hey.”
“The other party is here!” Winnie hustles over to greet him.
“Other party?” Sophia mutters to me. “He’s getting married?”
Brayden flicks his gaze to me. “I’m here for my cousin. For Jasalie, really.”
I smile at his obvious discomfort as he rocks back on his heels. “You look like you’re really looking forward to this.”
He flashes me a grin. “Yeah. I’m not a wedding planner kind of guy. Yet here I am.”
