"Then you and Mr. Harris will have to pick our wedding cake."
"Blossom, I don't know if?—"
"Mom, don't sweat it. It's cake. Whatever you choose will be delicious."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. Oh, gotta run! My ride's here. Hopefully, I'll see you soon."
She hung up without saying goodbye, and I remained uncertainly in place, my feet bolted to the floor in apprehension. What was I afraid of? Definitely not the cake. I was honored my daughter trusted me with such an important decision, but that wasn't the reason for my sense of foreboding and the knot in my stomach.
It was because ofhim. Definitely because of Jamison Harris.
He irked me, but I found myself drawn to him. The maturity in his square-jawed face, the soothing sound of his deep voice, his crisp, polished appearance in a suit.
Had I not learned my lesson with my ex? Opposites attract, but they also wear each other down, demanding more compromise than relationships where both parties were alike.
Startled by my thoughts, I stiffened. My attraction, or whatever I felt, was irrelevant. Jamison and I were not in a relationship and were never going to be.
I took a deep breath and fingered the rose quartz around my neck before pushing through the door. Passing by the Far East Market, I waved at Mrs. Chen and her husband behind the register at the front. They wouldn't close up shop until eight.
When I opened the door to Sugar Crumb Bakery, I immediately encountered the enticing aroma of butter and sugar, which temporarily lifted my spirits. Then I saw Jamison. Surprisingly, he was already there, leaning against the display case as he chatted with one of the employees behind the counter.
He wore charcoal slacks and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. No tie or jacket. Casual and relaxed.
I had taken full advantage of observing his body in the parking lot outside the wedding boutique and had been impressed by his physique. He had been sweaty and looking very manly. The vision of his muscular arms and thighs sprinkled with dark hair remained stamped in my brain for hours afterward. Watching him push his sweat-damp hair from his forehead had created a tightening sensation in my chest—and my nipples, if I was being completely honest. Time had seemed to slow with his movements and demand we pay attention.
With each encounter, he stayed top of my mind and appeared more attractive than when we first met. The universe was having a good laugh at my expense because no way was I this attracted to the father of my daughter's fiancé, a man who had made me show my ass in a fine dining establishment.
Jamison straightened when he saw me. "Hello, Ms. Washington."
"Jamison. Have you been here long?" I asked.
"Not too long, but I did leave work early to get here. On the way over, Manuel called and told me he was running late."
"So is Blossom. She had a job interview that took longer than expected."
"Could be a good sign."
"I hope so," I said.
Shelley emerged from the back with her graying hair pulled away from her face. A young woman accompanied her. "Tallulah, hi! And you must be Jamison, Manuel's father?"
"Correct," Jamison said.
"Congratulations to you both on the upcoming wedding. How exciting!"
"Thank you," we said at the same time.
We exchanged a glance.
"Where are Blossom and Manuel?"
"Running a little late but told us to get started," I answered. "If they don't arrive before the session is over, we have permission to select the cake."
"Are you sure?" Shelley asked.
"Yes, but they'll probably be here soon enough," I said.
