Mama sauntered into the kitchen, turning her golden eyes upward at Luca before hissing disapprovingly and scampering off down the hall toward Liv’s bedroom.
“Weird cat,” Luca mused.
“That’s Mama.” Grace shrugged. “She hates everyone.”
“We’re back,” Dallas sang as he and Katie bustled inside, popping their heads through the doorframe of the kitchen.
“Perfect timing.” I clapped my hands together, turning my attention back to Luca. “Go help them unload everything, and you guys can start setting up. I’ll come help once I get this cake in the oven. We’ll have even more to do once Brady and Cash get here with everything from the florist.”
“On it.” He took a swig from his beer and followed Dallas and Katie toward the front door.
“You ready to bake this cake, Chef?” Grace started pulling bowls, pans, spatulas, measuring cups, and spoons out from their respective homes.
“I was born ready!” I exclaimed, examining the recipe for the dark chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream icing. Grace helped me decide on a cake, but I was going to use some of the tricks Liv had taught me to jazz it up a bit. At least, I hoped that’s what I was going to do. “You sure know your way around this kitchen.” I watched her find everything we needed with ease as I stepped over to the oven, setting it to 350 degrees as the recipe instructed.
“I’m here alot.”Grace placed a large mixing bowl in front of me, and I began measuring out the flour. “Aunt Liv and I love to try out these crazy Pinterest baking projects together. The three of us are together a lot. Always have been. During the holidays we like to stay up all night, baking Christmas cookies and fudge, and listening to crooner Christmas music. It used to make Benton crazy. He hated it.”
I raised my brow at her as I sifted together the flour, sugar, and cocoa. “Really? Why?”
Grace shrugged as she walked around to the other side of the counter, facing me. She propped her elbows on the smooth marble, resting her head in her hands. “Benton never really liked mom and me all that much. We were kind of the family he never wanted. Mom and Aunt Liv were always best friends, but after my dad died they became even closer. When they started working together, the three of us became pretty much inseparable. Benton worked late a lot, and he went to events most weekends, so the three of us would hang out together. It’s always been us.”
“I know that had to be hard for you and your mom.” I looked up at her sympathetically. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
“It was tough, but mom and Aunt Liv made sure I never felt like I was missing out on anything, you know? They’ve been to every school play and parent night. They even took me to the father-daughter dance at my school a few years ago. Honestly, I don’t know where mom and I would be without Aunt Liv.” She opened the package of chocolate pieces and measured them out so I could begin melting them for the batter. “I think she likes you.”
“You do?” I peeked at her over my shoulder. “Did she say anything?”
“She didn’t have to.”
“I like her too.”
“I know,” she said simply. “Promise me you won’t hurt her, okay?”
I turned around and met her sincere eyes with mine. “I never want to hurt her. I only ever want to make her happy.”
“And you gotta know we’re a package deal.” Her voice was laced with worry. “You get Aunt Liv, and you get me and mom too.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I assured her. “I promise.”
“Good.” She nodded. “Then you have my blessing. Now, stir your chocolate before it burns.”
My heart was in my throat as I turned my attention back to the stovetop. I knew what a big deal this was. Grace was a huge part of Liv’s world, and her approval was important to me.
“Knock, knock,” I heard Cash’s voice call as he and Brady made their way to the kitchen. “I come bearing the entire florist shop. I was afraid we wouldn’t be able to get it all in the car.” His eyes lit up when he saw Grace. “Hey, Grace.” She moved around the counter to hug him. “It’s good to see you again. How’s your week been? How’s your mom?”
“We’ve been good,” she answered. “Mom took Liv to the salon to get her out of the house for a while so we could get ready for the party.”
“How much longer do we have?” He looked over at me, rolling up the sleeves of his white dress shirt.
“About three hours,” I replied. “Ella texted to let me know they finished their pedicures. She said if she had to she could probably stall a little longer by stopping to get coffee before they head back here.”
“We’ve got this,” Cash said. “We can pull this surprise party together in three hours.”
“Speaking of surprises,” I started. “Did you guys park in the driveway?”
“Two steps ahead of you,” Brady spoke up. “I parked across the street, and as we were coming in Katie was moving her car so there are no cars left in the driveway except for Liv’s and Ella’s. That’s surprise party 101.”
“You guys are on it.” I swirled the spatula through the chocolate, which was now shiny and melted. “I’m about finished with the cake. I need to clean up real quick, but I can help decorate before I make the frosting.”
