Jackie attempted a believable smile. “I promise.”
CHAPTER 45
The infectious eighties pop music blasting in Sugar Mamas, the posh new bakery in Edgewood, put everyone in a good mood for the scheduled cake tasting. The ladies had spent the afternoon eating their weight in cake and bopping their heads to De-Barge and Jody Watley. Sara passed on the tasting, explaining that it was her no-carbs week, leaving Mya, Bronwyn, and Jackie to help Tanika make her choices.
Tanika and Gideon had finally settled on a wedding date and location, opting to do a destination wedding in Costa Rica over the summer. It would be before football season got cranking, which coincided with the back-to-school rush at Gideon’s optometry practice.
Tanika, no matter how she tried to downplay it, was going full bridal mode. Hence, the cake tasting. She wanted to ship cake to Costa Rica, because she was convinced that the resort wouldn’t get it right. Everyone had tried to talk her out of this ridiculously expensive and logistically shaky idea, but she couldn’t be convinced otherwise.
Tanika opened her tablet to take notes. “I think I like chocolate or red velvet best. And maybe carrot cake or lemon poppyseed for Gideon’s groom’s cake. They said they can make the cake into different shapes. I’m thinking a pair of Jordans.”
“Carrot is seriously the worst cake flavor ever,” Mya complained. “Please pick something that doesn’t involve vegetables.”
“But it’s his favorite,” Tanika said. “I mean, he’s into healthy stuff, and these two are the healthiest of the options.”
Jackie shook her head. “My cousin is nothing if not sensible. Even when it comes to cake.”
“And please make it vegan,” Bronwyn emphasized, smoothing down her tunic, “for the non-animal-eaters at the wedding. But enough about cakes. Jackie, is there anything you want to tell us?”
Jackie knew where this was going, but she was going to feign ignorance. “About what? Patrick being a dick? Renegotiating PJ’s contracts? Mo’s fight?”
“Now Jackie,” Tanika cautioned. “You know we are talking about Antonio. You been radio-silent about him for weeks. Even though you got your voice back. What’s up?”
Jackie stabbed a forkful of salted caramel cake, shoving it into her mouth. She moaned. “Oh my God, Tanika, add this one to the list! For real.”
“Jackie!” Tanika whisper-yelled. “Stop deflecting.”
Jackie wiped her lips. “I need to be focused on work right now. But Antonio and I are still very cool. We’re still friendly.” It was true, they had more ease around the office these days. But Jackie felt the undeniable ache that the shift in their dynamic had caused. It was so strange to be in this relationship purgatory.
“So, you two broke up?” asked Mya.
“Uhm, we can’t break up if we aren’t a couple,” Jackie corrected.
Tanika rolled her eyes. “Jackie, we are in our forties. I think spending time together, going on dates, connecting emotionally, and uhm, hunching on the man, constitutes a relationship.”
“Especially the hunching,” Mya said, sliding Tanika’s plate full of unfinished cake in her direction. “And you said the hunching was spectacular.”
“Did I say spectacular?” chuckled Jackie. “That doesn’t sound like me.”
“Oh, you definitely said it when you were getting dick-de-stressed,” Mya countered. “You had all the words for it then.”
