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“Yes, Vine Valley’s best cake designer.”
“Only cake designer,” a petite, buxom blonde said. Her blue eyes, round face, and pink lips were highlighted by a very natural spattering of makeup. She laughed an adorable laugh, and her mouth curved into the most infectious smile. “I’m Lainey,” she said and held her hand out to me.
I took her hand. “I actually know exactly who you are.”
“She has a very big following on the internet,” Odette chimed in.
“I know. My sister showed me your work. You’re very talented.”
Lainey popped one shoulder, then the other in an adorable shimmy. “Why thank you.” She fluttered her eyelashes before slipping into a giggle. “I’m kidding, but that is very kind.”
“We actually have an appointment with you on Saturday.”
Lainey gasped. “You’re Parker’s sister.”
“That would be me.”
“It really is a small world.”
Laurent stepped up to Lainey, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her close. My heart skipped a beat at the way Lainey leaned into him. Did they know each other? Did theyreallyknow each other?
“Hey, kid,” Laurent said, and the endearment gave me pause.
“Hey, dork.”
My eyebrow rose on its own accord. Laurent picked up on my curiosity almost immediately.
“Lainey is Sherry’s best friend. I’ve known her since she was a red-faced, pigtailed five-year-old.”
“Now I’m a red-faced thirty-four-year-old who now knows how to hide her rosacea with makeup, thank you very much.”
Laurent pretended to give her a noogie. “Don’t fall for it,” he said. “She comes off sweet and innocent, but she can make a grown man cry with her insults.”
Lainey shrugged. “Growing up around the Grasso boys, you have no choice but to grow a thick skin. Besides, you all deserve to be knocked down a few notches every now and again.” She took my hand. “And congratulations. Laurent is a massive pain in the ass, but he’s one of the good ones. I honestly had no idea you were back in the picture.” She pointed her thumb at Laurent. “This one kept everyone in the dark.”
He held his hand out to the crowd. “Do you blame me?”
“Well, no. But now the cat’s out of the bag. I want to put my name in the hat for the wedding cake.” Lainey pointed to me. “You’ll be coming in on Saturday with Parker, so you can get some ideas, but me and you can definitely talk.”
“Cake, cake, cake!” The crowd started to cheer.
“Oh boy. The natives are getting restless. That’s my cue.” Lainey waved goodbye and headed over to the cake. She picked up a knife and pointed it at Albert. “Behave or no cake for you.”
Albert grunted, crossed his arms over his chest, and stopped talking.
“She’s a good kid.”
“Kid? She’s thirty-four and owns her own business.”
“And to me, she’ll always be that five-year-old girl who didn’t know how to tie her own shoes.”
“Let me guess, you taught her?”
“She liked bunnies, always had a stuffed one with her. Teaching her the bunny ears seemed right.”
I patted his chest, my eyes locking on his. “She’s right. You are one of the good ones.”
He trapped my hand between his and his chest. “Then why do you keep running?” he asked.
