“Yes, hi, sorry,” I blurt out, putting the call on speaker so it’s easier for Maya to eavesdrop. It’s not like I wouldn’t tell her every detail about the call afterward, anyway. “I was expecting a telemarketer trying to sell me an extended warranty for my car…” A breathy laugh escapes me. “Not, well, you.”
Her responding laugh is far more melodic and polished. “I promise this call will be much more exciting than that. I have a high-profile client getting married in June, and the bride would like Crumb & Co. to create the cake and dessert table.”
She’s quiet for a moment, the only sound on the line a shuffling of papers.
“I’m not going to lie; I’d prefer to use someone more established, a vendor with hundreds of weddings under their belt,” she admits with a sigh. “Butmy job is to make the bride and groom happy, and the bride wantsyou,” she says. There’s no malice in her voice. Only honesty. “She’s very particular aboutnot using the vendors her friends have already used because she wants everything to feel fresh and undiscovered. She and Gabrielle Hartley are friends, and Gabrielle has raved about the desserts you made for her daughter’s sweet sixteen last spring. Said you were the only one who actually listened to what her daughter wanted instead of just pushing your own aesthetic.”
I blink. Then blink again. Suddenly, staying up for three days straight making custom macarons shaped like designer handbags because fifteen-year-old Sienna Hartley was obsessed with fashion doesn’t seem so horrible.
Maya scribbles on a nearby receipt and shoves it in my face.Ask who the bride is!!!
As eager as I am to find out, I still don’t think I can even speak.
“I looked into you and will admit I’m impressed. Your work is creative, yet classic,” Diane continues, as if she hasn’t just dropped a bomb on my entire existence. “I’d love to set up a meeting to chat further about the opportunity if you’re interested.”
For maybe the first time in my life, I’m stunned stupid. Maya smacks my arm hard, making me jump. It’s exactly what I need to kickstart my brain into working again. “I—yes,” I tell her. “Absolutely.”
“Great. I’ll have my assistant email you to schedule,” she says. “Talk soon.”
With that, the line goes dead.
Heart racing, I stare at my phone.Holy fuck. This is the kind of commission that could take Crumb & Co. to the next level.
My excitement lasts about ten seconds before panic sets in.
How the hell am I going to produce a wedding cake for that big of a wedding,plusextras for tasting,plusa unique, never-seen-before type dessert table,pluskeep up with my regular orders, all with a single oven with two racks?
CHAPTER NINE
cameron
We crushToronto 4-1 and the postgame adrenaline is still humming through my veins when there’s a knock on my hotel room door. I’m expecting Logan, since we’re headed to dinner at his parents’ place, so I don’t bother checking the peephole before pulling open the door.
Big mistake.
Rather than my friend, I find Gigi standing in the hall. She’s wearing a trench coat belted tight at the waist like we’re in an ’80s thriller or porno. Today’s game was a rivalry matchup, so I’m not all that surprised she’s in Toronto with us, but I am confused about how she got my room number and why the fuck she’s stepping forward like she’s about to walk right in.
My hand tightens on the doorknob. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to congratulate you on the win in person. You were incredible out there tonight. That save in the third period was…” She trails off, biting her lower lip and looking up at me from beneath her lashes. “Amazing.”
“Thanks.” I widen my stance to block the entire doorway like I’m a club bouncer keeping out underage kids. “Was that all?”
“Come on, Cam.” She toys with the knot of the trench coat, but I keep my focus fixed on her face. “Remember how good we were together? The trip to Cabo? That weekend in New York when I snuck into your hotel room? We had fun.”
I’m positive she thinks her tone is coming across as sultry, but really, it’s like nails against a chalkboard.
“I know I messed up, but I was young and stupid and scared of how serious things were getting. It’s the biggest mistake of my life.” She locks eyes with me, and that’s when I know she’s practiced this speech. Probably used it on another guy, too. “Give me another chance. Let me prove I’ve changed. You don’t have to decide anything tonight. Just… let me in. Let’s talk. Remember what we had.”
She takes another step closer, her perfume wafting around me. It’s harsh and spicy, nothing like the sweet vanilla scent Kennedy wears. And suddenly all I can think about is a woman who insists I growl and talks about Broadway shows like they’re scenes from her life.
“No,” I say.
Gigi blinks like she’s truly surprised by the answer. “What?”
“I said no. You should go.”
Her confident smile falters, though she recovers quickly. “Cam, don’t be ridiculous. We’re both adults here. I made a mistake. I’m apologizing?—”
