Free Baking Love by Lauren Boyd

ahead of time, people won’t have to wait as long for the reception to start once the wedding is over,” Eric explained.
    Bet that selfless idea didn’t come from Cecilia.
    “Can I bowl your turn, Kate?” Mark asked.
    “It’s my turn again?”
    “Yeah. I’ve already bowled Jess’s turn and my own.”
    “You have?” Jess asked him.
    “Yeah.”
    “I didn’t even see you get up.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Eric,” Kate said, trying to get back on track. “What time are photos?”
    He stared at her.
    “Right, you don’t know.”
    “Why does it matter?” he frowned.
    “I want to make sure there’ll be enough time for Mark to help me and Jess before he has to help you on the day of your wedding.”
    “Fine. I’ll let you know about photos next week.”
    “No, this is too important to wait. We need to find out tonight.”
    “How am I supposed to find out tonight? Cecilia’s in Paris.”
    Kate smiled sweetly. “Her mother’s not.”
    “What?” Eric popped up out of his chair. “You want me to call Loraine just to ask her about photos?”
    “I’m happy to ask her if you don’t want to. Pull up her number in your phone, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
    “This is absurd! Why do you even need Mark’s help with the wedding cake?”
    Anger gripped Kate, and she flew out of her own chair. “You of all people should know the answer to that question! Hell, you helped me and my grandma transport and assemble dozens of wedding cakes the summer you were home from college.”
    Eric leaned toward her, leaving their faces only inches apart. He grinned. “ That was a good summer.”
    Kate bit her lip to keep from smiling. Yes, it was. Eric might’ve just gained the upper hand in this argument by assuaging her anger, but she wasn’t about to let him know it. “Look,” she pleaded. “Your wedding cake is a big deal because of the people involved and because it’s the largest cake Jess and I have ever made. We want to do everything we can to improve our odds for success. That includes bringing Mark with us, even if it turns out to be overkill.”
    Eric’s expression softened. “I see.”
    Kate looked away. “A lot could go wrong, and I’m afraid something will,” she quietly confessed.
    “Kate.”
    With hesitation, she shifted her gaze back to Eric. His eyes were warm. “Nothing’s going to go wrong.”
    “How do you know?”
    He smiled. “Because you’re the best.”
    So are you. I should’ve told you I loved you when I had the chance. Eric’s smile slowly faded as they held each other’s gaze in silence.
    Please don’t marry Cecilia.
    “I’ll call Loraine for you.”
    Kate blinked back tears. “Thanks.”
    While Eric made the call, Kate sat back down beside Jess. She calmed herself, then replayed her conversation with Eric in her mind. She cringed. I should’ve stuck to my plan. She leaned toward Jess. “I probably shouldn’t have told Eric his cake table will be ridiculously far from our van.”
    Jess clicked her tongue. “Probably not.”
    “Do you think Cecilia will pull this wedding cake out from under us now?”
    Jess’s eyes twinkled. “No. Eric won’t let her.”
    “Okay.” Eric’s voice sounded, and Kate straightened in her chair. “Photos are at three-thirty, and the wedding is indeed at five.”
    Kate forced a smile. “Thanks.”
    He snapped his fingers. “I forgot to ask Loraine if she’d reposition the cake table.” He waved his phone in the air. “I’ll call her back if you’d like.”
    Cue New Kate. “That won’t be necessary.” Kate glanced up at the monitor. “Looks like it’s still my turn.” She stood up and retrieved her ball from the rack. Bowl your frames as fast as possible so the evening will end sooner and you can stop pretending to be someone you’re not around Eric.
    At least, until the next time you see him.

 

Chapter Nine
     
    Saturday, March 17
    Kate and Jess sat at the work table, staring at each other. “I can’t believe I