Free Icing on the Cake by Sheryl Berk Page B

they had returned.
    â€œTell him we need him to make a sculpture of a bride and groom,” Jenna told Leo.
    â€œ Signore ,” Leo began. He explained what the girls needed, and that it was an “ emergenza .”
    â€œWell?” Jenna asked. “Will he do it?”
    â€œ Sì, sì .” The man smiled. He picked up his chisel and a small block of plaster.
    Jenna grabbed the startled gentleman by the arm. “Come with me! Quick!”
    Leo chuckled. “Try ‘Venga subito’ and he’ll understand you better. And I’ll see you at the wedding, girls, in two hours—hopefully out of your pajamas.”
    â€¢â€¢â€¢
    The finished sculpture looked exactly like Jenna’s mother and Leo. “It’s amazing,” Jenna said, admiring it. “How can we ever thank you?”
    He held out his hand. “400 dollari .”
    Sadie searched for an Italian translation on her phone. “He just asked you for 400 dollars.”
    â€œNo way! That’s all the profit we made on the Elvis cupcakes!” Kylie said.
    Jenna handed over a stack of twenty-dollar bills. “Here ya go. So much for making money this weekend.”
    â€œ Grazie ,” the artist said, tipping his cap. “ Buongiorno .”
    â€œAt least we have an amazing cupcake tower for your mom’s wedding,” Kylie said. “And twenty minutes to get dressed and cleaned up.”

The garden gazebo at the Venice Hotel was decorated with dozens of white roses and swags of lace.
    Jenna stood outside on the balcony of the bridal suite, taking it all in. The guests were already beginning to file in and take their seats. She spotted her grandma and her aunt and uncle from Ecuador, as well as her cousins. There were also tons of fashionable men and women that she assumed were Leo’s Ralph Warren colleagues.
    The suite was abuzz with activity: Gabby and Marisol were arguing over whether to wear their hair up or down; Ricky and Manny were fighting over the TV in the living room; and the PLC girls were primping in the bathroom.
    â€œWhat are you doing out here?” Kylie asked, stepping out onto the balcony. She was dressed in the gold taffeta dress Jenna’s mom had sewn for all the junior bridesmaids. It had a sweetheart neck and a puffy skirt with crinoline underneath, and the neckline fell softly around her shoulders.
    â€œYou look beautiful,” Jenna said.
    â€œSo do you!” Kylie gasped. “Spin! Let me see!”
    Jenna’s dress was extraspecial: a cream-colored taffeta with a gold sash around the waist and pearls adorning the bodice. Her mother had made small cap sleeves out of lace to match the bridal veil.
    â€œOMG! You’re gorgeous!” Kylie gushed.
    â€œOf course I am,” Jenna joked. “Gorgeous is my middle name.”
    â€œActually, it’s Alanza—which means ‘ready for battle,’” her sister Marisol interrupted. “Very fitting, don’t you think, for my little sis who always has a chip on her shoulder?”
    Marisol’s and Gabby’s gowns were floor-length and strapless but had the same pearl and gold sash detail as Jenna’s. “You should come say hi to Leo’s daughter, Maggie. She’s here,” Marisol told her.
    â€œGreat.” Jenna sighed. “I can hardly wait.”
    Maggie was chatting with Lexi, Sadie, and Delaney—something about Lady Gaga coming in concert in the spring to NYC. Jenna had met her once or twice, but never thought she’d become her stepsister. It felt strange to think of yet another kid in the Medina family.
    â€œHey, Jenna!” Delaney called. “We’re all gonna get tix to see Gaga in concert! Maggie’s a big fan too.”
    â€œI’m not gaga over Gaga,” Jenna replied.
    â€œYou look really nice,” Maggie told her. “Your mom is an amazing dress designer. Our dad says maybe she can come work with him at Ralph