AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you dare ruin this for my daughter, I will make sure you face consequences for the rest of your life,” my mother declares, sounding like a crazy villain in a movie.
“Mother!” My mouth opens in disbelief at her.
“Don’t worry, it’s fine,” Caleb whispers, squeezing my hand again and giving me a reassuring wink. “I’ve got this.”
“So can I go get my hair done now?” Missy asks, wiping away her fake tears.
“Of course,” Olivia responds, glaring at Caleb. “But are you sure you can handle this? Men and weddings aren’t always the most reliable combination.”
“I’ve got it under control,” Caleb laughs.
“Thank you,” my mother says sternly before turning to leave with Missy and Olivia trailing behind.
Caleb and I remain silent for a few moments.
“Well, that was intense,” Caleb mutters, glancing over at me.
I place a comforting hand on his back and rub gently. “Are you okay?”
“Well, facing that much feminine rage felt like seeing my entire life flash before my eyes. I wouldn’t want to be the florist responsible for this situation,” he murmurs.
“You handled that situation perfectly,” I praise him, feeling my heart melt like frosting on a warm cinnamon roll. “Are you sure you can fulfill the promise about the flowers?”
“Absolutely,” he chuckles. “Being wealthy means having the resources and people to make things happen. Give me ten minutes and it will be taken care of.” He leans in to kiss my cheek. “Have some faith.”
“I have complete faith in you,” I reply, placing my hand on his cheek. “Now, back to the cake.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he teases as we both resume our positions before the interruption. “Do you think this will be the last major catastrophe before the wedding?”
“Probably not,” I tell him.
“Well, I can’t wait to see what happens next,” he says excitedly. “Okay, I think I’m done with these.”
I glance over the wax paper, and it is full of the little blobs I will need to assemble into flower groupings later. “Into the freezer then.” I point to where they need to go.
“I’m going to make calls for the flowers; I’ll be right back,” he says as he slips into my office.
There’s a specific process for assembling this cake, and I hope it will be one of my finest creations yet. Each event has the potential to bring in more business opportunities, so it’s crucial that I showcase my best work. Stepping back, I admire the perfectly-frosted cake and take the first tier to the massive fridge.
As I close the door, Caleb’s warm breath tickles my ear. “Now, what can I help with?”
My skin tingles with goosebumps, but I try to maintain a professional demeanor as I think about what tasks I could give him next. Think Piper. Baking. Cake. Flowers…
“Would you like to learn how to make leaves from fondant?” I manage to get out as I turn to look at him.
“Man, how did you know?” Caleb gushes. “I’ve been wanting to add that skill to my resume for ages.”
“I knew it,” I continue teasing as we walk back to the kitchen island. “I’m here for you and building your impressive resume. You can brag about it at your next board meeting,” I say with a smile before giving him instructions on making leaves from fondant.
I never would have guessed that baking and decorating a cake could be even more enjoyable. Everything is more fun with Caleb by my side, and I can’t wait to take him as my date for the wedding. Perhaps my mother will finally see that he’s a better match for me than any other eligible bachelor she’s tried to set me up with over the years. But right now, I need to focus on finishing this cake for Missy’s wedding. The talk about our future can come later.
19
Caleb
“Wow,” Grandad says as we approach the wedding rehearsal.
The park is illuminated with twinkling lights, providing a magical atmosphere. The tables are set with white linens and elegant decorations, creating an intimate setting.
