Free Baking Love by Lauren Boyd Page B

to the cake board. She wrapped the cake in two layers each of plastic wrap and foil before finally sliding it into a plastic zip bag. She reached for the permanent marker and wrote PRESCOTT-WAGNER GROOM’S CAKE – JUNE 1 on the outside of the bag.
    She frowned. What kind of frosting does Eric want? The fish cake in her photo album had been made with white chocolate buttercream, but Kate wasn’t sure if that was the kind Eric wanted. Knowing him, he’d only chosen that cake because it’d had a fish on top. Either way, she needed to know what kind of frosting to make.
    Kate walked over to the computer and clicked on her contacts list. Who should I call? Eric and his parents are handling the rehearsal dinner and groom’s cake, so it makes sense to call him. On the other hand, I don’t want any surprises for Cecilia because I didn’t check with her on this,
    Kate scoffed. This is Eric’s cake. I’m not calling Cecilia. She picked up the phone and dialed his mobile number.
    “Hey, Kate,” he answered.
    Funny, he didn’t say, Hey, you. “Hey, how’s it going?”
    “I can’t complain. How are things with you?”
    “Not bad. I need your help this afternoon.”
    “Okay.”
    “I need to know what kind of frosting you want on your groom’s cake.”
    “You’re already making that thing?”
    “Just the cake.”
    “Won’t it be old by the time the rehearsal dinner rolls around?”
    “I’ll freeze it.” Goofball.
    “Oh, right. So I need to pick a frosting. What kind was on the cake in the photo?”
    “White chocolate buttercream.”
    “Sounds great. I’ll take it.”
    “Alright.” Kate walked back to the cake and wrote WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM on the outside of the bag. “Thanks for your help.”
    “No problem. How are things in Hillsborough this afternoon?”
    “Unseasonably cold. How about in Manhattan?”
    “It’s warm here today. In fact, it’s supposed to stay warm for the next week or so.”
    “Good, maybe I can thaw out this weekend.” Kate smacked her forehead with the heel of her hand. Why did I say that?
    “Wait, what? Are you coming to Manhattan this weekend?”
    Kate forced herself to say the word. “Yes.”
    “Terrific! What’s the occasion?”
    “There’s a bridal expo at the convention center on Saturday, and Jess asked me to go with her.”
    “Do y’all want to meet for dinner afterward?”
    I don’t see the point. Our friendship will be over in a month thanks to your fiancée, who will make sure I never hear from you again once you say, “I do”. Not only that, but I have to act like someone I’m not around you now. Kate racked her brain for an excuse to decline Eric’s invitation…and came up short. Damn, I’ve got nothing. “I guess we could have dinner,” she relented.
    “Great! Where are you staying in the city?”
    “Marquise. It’s a hotel near the convention center.”
    “Okay. What time will the expo be over?”
    “I’m not sure. Why don’t we plan on meeting in the hotel lobby at, say, seven o’clock?” I’ll call you if it’s going to be any later.”
    “Sounds good. I look forward to it.”
    That makes one of us. “Thanks again for your help with the groom’s cake.”
    “Of course. I’ll see you Saturday.”
    “See you then.” Kate hung up the phone and stared at it.
    Next time, I’ll call Cecilia.
     

 

Chapter Eleven
     
    Saturday, May 5
     
    Kate shivered. “I don’t think Eric knew what he was talking about when he said it was going to be warm in Manhattan this weekend.”
    “Good thing he’s studying architecture and not meteorology,” Jess noted.
    Kate laughed. “No kidding.”
    Jess craned her neck to see above the crowd. “I think they’re opening the doors!”
    Kate walked over to a nearby trash can and threw away her empty coffee cup. When she turned back around, she scanned the long line of women waiting to enter the Manhattan Convention Center. Wow, that’s a lot of competition. She rejoined Jess just as the