Ivy choked and I made a face, but ten mudslides between us made us all laugh away an image that had nothing to do with us.
Except… It definitely does have something to do with me! If I marry Noah, Ted will be my father-in-law. Although I never got the feeling that Noah and his brothers were close to their parents, the possibility of being related to somebody that famous is a bit…weird.
With Victor tagging along behind me, I’m rolling up the winding driveway, through lush green scenery, when another thought hits: the disastrous date with Joey.Eww. Is he also going to be part of my life if I marry Noah?
Okay, don’t think about that. Noah’s painting didn’t include Joey, and we don’t need to have anything to do with him. Ever. Better just to focus on the future Noah and I would like to create for ourselves.
God, I hope I don’t run into him and another ridiculous attempt to get me to have a grandbaby for Ted. If two of his sons don’t want Ted near their children, it’s probably him, not them. Or maybe it’s Joey doing a terrible job of representing Ted’s desire to be closer to his grandchildren. The guy couldn’t even represent himself without using a million filters first.
Victor and I pull the cake out from the truck with extra care. It took forever to make, even with Victor’s assistance, but looks amazing. Three of the tiers are invisible, with crystal support columns, flowers and figurines that represent the most memorable dates Rachel and her boyfriend had. My chest puffs with pride. It’s some of the best work I’ve ever done. I already took a shot of it for Bobbi’s Sweet Things’s social media profiles. I plan to take more once it’s in place at the actual party.
The main caterers come out in starched black and white uniforms and stop dead when they see the cake. “Wow…”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Victor says with a grin.
“Totally.” One of the women nods and takes charge. “Okay, let’s move this and set it up by the main tables next to the pool.”
They carefully push the cake cart through the mansion, and I follow, praying that nothing happens before it’s put into place. Soaring Topiaries of topless women line the giant pool on three sides, giving it a semblance of privacy. Heart-shaped balloons in bright pink and red sway in the air, and a DJ is playing upbeat love songs. Guests, many recognizable from commercials and movies, dance and laugh in bathing suits. The catering team sets up the cake by a fountain where rosé champagne fizzes.
“This is perfect,” the woman says.
“Agreed. Mind if I take a quick photo?” I say, pulling out my phone.
They move aside, and I snap a few shots, making sure to capture the cascading flowers and sparkling columns. I also get a few close-ups of the flowers and faux pearls so people can see the details of the decoration.
I shove the phone into my back pocket with thanks to the crew who set up the cake. I tell Victor he can go, and he immediately heads out.Good luck, buddy.
The catering manager signs off on the delivery sheet, and I sigh with satisfaction over a job well done. The stunning cake, towering over the buffet table, was worth the hours of delicate work that left my hands aching.
“Nice cake. So. You’re the reason Noah won’t leave L.A.”
I look to the left. A tall woman with short dark hair and a pasty-pale face is studying me. Her skin looks fantastically white against the black bikini that’s on her lean body. She wears a friendly and curious face, but her tone doesn’t hide a mild rebuke, although I’m not sure if her displeasure is directed at me or Noah. Or both of us.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I ask in a neutral tone.
“Nora Blane. I’m Noah’s mother.” She extends a hand, and I shake it on autopilot.This is Noah’s mother?Despite her wiry frame, she’s shockingly strong. It feels almost as if she’s trying to break my hand. I match the tight grip, and a flash of respect glints in her eyes.
“I’m Bobbi. But I guess you know that. I thought you were in Dubai.”
“Yes, but since my son refuses to talk to me over the phone, I had no choice but to come talk to him in person.”
Whatever she wanted Noah to take care of must bereallyimportant to make that trip. He said he wouldn’t spend an entire week away from me, and again I feel uneasy because Noah is neglecting his life to prove himself to me.
He’s definitely going to wake up at some point and realize he doesn’t have a life. Midlife crises happen when people don’t feel comfortable with the life they’re leading anymore, and that’s often because they went along with whatever everyone else around them wanted.
“On the other hand, perhaps speaking withyouwould expedite things.” Nora wears an expectant smile and seems certain I’ll side with her.
This isn’t what I bargained for when I agreed to deliver the cake. As much as I want to be friendly and get along with Noah’s mom, it wouldn’t be right to commit Noah to a task when I know nothing about it. I’m just about to tell her as much when her eyes shift to focus behind me and her expression sours.
“Mother? What are you doing here?”
Noah?
Once I told him I had to work, we didn’t discuss further details. It never occurred to me that he’d be at this party. If I’d known, I would’ve brought a change of clothes, so I could join him after the cake was delivered.
Noah breathes hard as he rakes his fingers through his hair. He glares at his mother like she’s his number one enemy, a rather odd reaction since I thought he’d be okay with seeing his parents at parties, even if they weren’t particularly close. He pulls me close and kisses me but keeps his eyes on her.
“Since calls and texts weren’t accomplishing anything, I decided to show up in person,” she says smoothly. “I miss you, too.”
