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“Gary, hello.” The voice on the other end of the call was light and warm, yet somehow businesslike. “This is Del. I believe Peyton told you I’d be contacting you about a cake for my wedding.”
“Yes.” Embarrassingly enough, Gany’s voice squeaked on the word. He cleared his throat. “Yes. He did.”
Del sighed. “I’m very sorry—”
“Oh.” Gany’s heart plummeted. “You don’t need the cake after all. That’s perfectly fine. I appreciate the opportunity to—”
“No, no. That’s not it at all. I do need the cake. Very much indeed. However, I can’t tell you why, and I have to swear you to the utmost secrecy. Nobody can know about the cake, not even my fiancée. Is that something you can guarantee?”
Gany considered it. “Does the secrecy apply after the cake is served?”
“Of course not. I would never let anyone else take credit for your artistry. Once the cake is revealed and cut, everyone will know who’s responsible. I promise you that.”
Del’s voice rang with an unusual resonance, almost like Cassandra’s whenever she made one of her predictions—which none of the stupid Greeks hadeverlistened to. Well, Gany wasn’t that clueless. He took Del at their word. But he couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a little upselling—and maybe grabbing a benefit for Finn, too.
“Do you need servers? I could bring someone else with me to assist.”
“Ah.” A beat of silence. “It appears that would be necessary. So yes, please, but you’ll need only one other.”
“I have just the person.”
Gany suspected that if he offered to simplygiveFinn money—which Gany had more than enough of, thanks to the Fates’ settlement—Finn would refuse. Or if he didn’t refuse, it would have dealt another blow to his pride, and Gany had no desire to beat him down any further.
But if he were to pay Finn forworkingfor him, that would be another situation entirely.
“You know, Del, while the storefront for Nectar & Ambrosia is a bakery, my catering business isn’t just baked goods. If you need hors d’oeuvres, soups, salads, or entrees, I’m happy to discuss menu options with you.”
Del’s chuckle was gentle and not in the least mocking. “I appreciate that. It won’t be necessary for this event, but if all goes well, and if the reaction to your cake is as positive as Peyton assures me it will be, you’ll have clients lining up. Wildwood, the venue where the wedding is taking place, is a relatively new resort, but it’s already extremely popular. If you make a good impression on the owners, I’m sure you’ll have more opportunities to work with them. Plus, they’ll recommend you to friends and acquaintances, as will I. So what do you say? Will you do it?”
“We haven’t discussed price.”
“You’re right. How does this sound?” Del named a price for the cake itself and for the service that made Gany blink. “That’s what the other caterer is charging, but if it’s too low—”
“N-n-no, no. That’s perfect.”
“Excellent. We have a deal then. The wedding is on Saturday, ten o’clock in the morning, at Wildwood. I’ll email you the directions and the contact information for resort administration so you can sort out the details with them.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Gany was practically bouncing on his toes. “And may I offer you and your partner best wishes on your approaching marriage?”
“You may. Thank you.” Del chuckled again, and Gany detected a rueful note. “I never saw this for myself, but she is the most remarkable person I have ever met. If you have any questions that Peyton or the resort can’t answer for you, you may call me, although I may not be able to respond at once. My job keeps me rather busy at this time of year.”
“Of course. Thank you. I’ll— Thank you.”
When Del ended the call, Gany couldn’t resist kicking his shoes off and dancing around the living room. This was what he’d been hoping for. Anopportunity. A chance to show what he could do, what he could offer. He knew that once people tasted his food, it would sell itself, and couple that with the kind of service that the freakingcupbearer to the godscould provide?
He was going tocrushthis!
Chest heaving, he finally stilled after a leap onto the sofa. He didn’t feel bad about dancing on the furniture—his two bare feet made far less of an impression than twelve massive dog paws.
Dog paws.
Cerberus.
Finn.
“Hades!”
He scrambled off the cushions. “Sir? Bear?” He hopped from one foot to the other as he pulled his shoes back on. “Ozzie?”
