–Floyd: Why aren’t you responding to Reggie?
Ugh.A text from the last person I want to hear from on a day like this. I blocked Reggie years ago, but I can’t block my landlord.
–Floyd: Remember—a month to design and make the cake. Reggie and I want to see the design before you bake it, to make sure you do a good job. You don’t want to humiliate yourself.
I hope your butt explodes with gluten. I’m so tempted to call him out on his fake gluten intolerance, but I don’t want to waste energy on this man-roach, who’ll insist until his dying breath he has it even though he doesn’t. Probably to feel special or get attention because he’s just that pathetic. I dump the phone in a drawer and turn my attention back to lunch. Pigs will sing Taylor Swift’s entire catalog before I bake anything for Floyd and Reggie.
Amy, Aspen, Molly and I go to the kitchen to get the pies and cobblers. The caterer reheated them just in time for dessert, and they’re bubbling perfectly.
“These smellsogood.” Molly looks like she wants to bury herself in the cobbler she’s holding.
“There’s also a key lime pie.” I reach into the fridge to pull it out. I whipped it up yesterday at the bakery and brought it over last night. It’s simple to make, and perfect for the unusually warm weather.
“It’s good to see Noah with someone he loves. I never thought he’d settle down,” Amy says.
I raise an eyebrow.
“He’s always been so wild and carefree. Prototypical bachelor for life.”
“He’s had other girlfriends,” I say, feeling slightly awkward. His sisters-in-law are acting like I’m definitely going to be part of the family, and I don’t have the heart to tell them Noah and I are on a three-month trial run.
“Maybe… But if he did, we never met any of them. His brothers, either. Grant told me he was shocked when Noah asked for this lunch, and then ordered everyone to behave or else,” Aspen says with a laugh.
“He hasn’t proposed or anything,” I say.
“He will,” Amy says. “But don’t say yes until you’re sure.”
I blink. “I thought you liked him.”
“I do, but I like you too. And in a relationship affection has to go both ways. If you aren’t ready, or you don’t want it, it doesn’t make sense to commit.”
“Definitely. Sometimes the timing isn’t right,” Aspen says somewhat wistfully. “Grant and I almost lost each other forever.”
Molly pats her hand. “It worked out in the end.”
My anxiety over meeting his family wasn’t just about making a good impression,I abruptly realize,but over how they might side with him and subtly pressure me to just say yes now.Although Noah hasn’t said anything more about proposing, I know he’d like to get married, just like in his vision painting.
But his family just wants to meet me and honestly seems to hope for the best for me and Noah. Something loosens in my chest. “Thanks. Really.” An easy smile splits my face. “Now, are you guys ready to help me take these treats to the table?”
When we return, everyone’s eager to grab a piece of pie or cobbler. One of Griffin and Sierra’s triplets, Ellen, is fussing—Noah takes the little girl from them and bounces her on his knee while making funny faces. Emmett samples my key lime pie and groans. “Oh man, this is like crack. You’re going to make me fat before my time.”
Amy filches a forkful from his plate and her eyes grow round. “Wow! Better than the one we had in Florida.”
“Thanks.” I smile, my cheeks warming.
“I can’t believe I haven’t seen this at your bakery.”
“It’s not a regular item.”
Noah reaches over and takes the biggest slice. Ellen looks up at him, drool gathering around her mouth, but he shakes his head. “Too tart for you, Princess.” He turns to me. “But Emmett’s right. This is crack.” Then he turns to the little girl and tries to get her to eat some toast—without much success.
Lucie looks torn for a moment, then whispers something to her husband, and he grabs a slice of key lime pie for her. She takes a bite, then sighs with bliss, mingled with relief.
“What’s that about?” Nicholas says. He’s a quiet guy, his expression somber, his demeanor steady. He seems like one of those people with an extra-long fuse that blows up spectacularly when pushed to the limit.
Sebastian looks at his wife briefly, and she nods at him with a smile. He turns to us. “We thought about having a party to announce the news, but why not do it here? Luce is pregnant.”
Gasps go up along with shouts and laughter. “Congratulations!”
