Free Cupcakes & Chardonnay by Julia Gabriel Page A

toward him and Noelle.
    "A word with you, Mr. Catterton."
    Suzanne watched as Brent strode away toward Daryle. From the look on his face, Daryle was not happy. There had never been any love between those two men. She struggled to suppress a smile. Even though Brent was a softie at heart, he did cut an imposing figure. Nearly six feet five and burly, his kitchen staff lovingly called him Andre the Giant. And while he was no maniacal television chef, he could put the fear of God into a person, when necessary.
    She really didn't want to stick around and watch what was about to happen, She'd seen Brent read enough other people the riot act; she knew it wasn't generally pleasant. She opted instead to go check on the cupcakes. Cupcakes never let her down. Never dumped her at the door. A cupcake had never—not even once—broken her heart.
    A line of well-dressed art patrons snaked slowly along the dessert table. As soon as Suzanne joined them, her stomach growled loudly and she remembered she hadn't eaten dinner. She poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffee urn and filled a dessert plate with white chocolate-covered strawberries, then moved to the center of the table where her cupcakes were prominently displayed. Half were gone already, a good sign, she thought. A very good sign. She couldn't resist straightening the table card that said , "Cupcakes by The Cupcakery."
    "Suzanne! There you are," Alanna Catterton said. Suzanne turned around to see Daryle's sister stepping away from a crowd of admirers. "I was beginning to worry that my brother ended up working late and you'd miss the reception. Where is my brother, by the way?"
    Suzanne waved vaguely in the direction of the museum entrance. "Schmoozing. I came to check on my babies here."
    Alanna turned to the group of people, who were still hanging on her every word, and said, "Everyone, this is Suzanne Austin-Catterton, owner of The Cupcakery. We have her to thank for these delicious treats tonight. Personally, I'm just going to eat cupcakes instead of dinner!"
    People began to step forward to tell Suzanne how much they loved The Cupcakery, which flavors were their favorite, which seasonal flavors they wanted all year round. Alanna waved her arms above her head. "Oh—I almost forgot—" she called out. "Suzanne is opening a new location in Napa. Soon, right?" Suzanne nodded and shrugged.
    A low buzz rose from the crowd and Suzanne was inundated with questions about the new shop. Where it was, when it would open, did she have plans for a third location. Suzanne found herself relaxing, forgetting about Daryle. She could talk cupcakes and her business all day long. It felt good to receive compliments from all these people. They were complete strangers to her, yet they were also her customers. And they loved what she was doing and wanted her to do more of it. She knew how to be the owner of The Cupcakery. She didn't know how to be Daryle Catterton's wife.
    It took a good twenty minutes but, eventually, a chastened-looking Daryle squeezed his way through the crowd where Suzanne was still holding court. Brent was one step behind, like a bodyguard or a celebrity handler. When they got to her, Brent veered off toward the bar, silently mouthing the words, "champagne."
    Alanna saw her brother at once and gave him a hug. "I wondered when I was going to see you. Thank you for coming. Both of you," she turned toward Suzanne. Suzanne's cupcake fans dispersed into the larger crowd.
    "Wouldn't have missed it, Alanna. You know that."
    "Have you eaten yet? I think the real food is going almost as fast as the desserts. If you want some, you should probably do that soon."
    Daryle looked at Suzanne. "Have you—"
    Suzanne shook her head. "I'm starving though. I haven't really eaten since lunch."
    Just then, Brent returned with two flutes of champagne. He extended one to Daryle. "Compliments of Jerry." He leaned in and kissed Suzanne on the cheek, then handed her a flute. "I've got to run. But