Free Four Weddings and a Break Up by Elyssa Patrick

do this to Julie!”
    “Way to throw me under the bus, Gin,” Julie said as she placed the cookies on a cooling rack. “Because of that, you’re not going to sample the newest addition to Just Desserts.”
    “Bitch,” Ginny said jokingly. She tapped her fingers on the granite counter. With a business just a year old, Julie and she worked from morning to night. Julie was always coming up with new baking ideas and did the accounting while Ginny organized all the catering jobs, the orders, and anything else that needed managing. “I think we should highlight our cupcakes more, too.”
    “I’m definitely on board with that. Anyone can make a fancy wedding cake. We excel at that. But to also make decadent cupcakes . . .”
    They both looked at each other, almost as if a light bulb had gone off over their heads at the same time.
    “This weekend,” Julie breathed. “The Glorious Food festival.”
    Ginny nodded her head. “Yes. We can have a sample of cupcakes out at the picnic. And we can give them creative names.”
    “I can make them all gorgeous, and ohhh, I have some ideas of what flavors to mix and how to design them, and—”
    Their mom cleared her throat, but her face was soft and her eyes misty. “You girls are just great. And very lucky to have each other. When I was a kid, all I wanted was a sister or brother. It wasn’t meant to be. So when I married your dad, I wanted a family. When he passed away last year, it was the hardest thing. I don’t know what I would have done without you girls. I want you to have the love that I did. That’s what I want for you both.”
    “Aw, Mom.” Julie hugged their mom. “You know we love you.”
    “Look how sweet Julie is. You really should concentrate on her.” Ginny loved her sister, but all was fair when their mother got set to matchmaking.
    “Julie’s still young. Plus, she’s my baby. I can’t let my baby go just yet. But you”—her mom frowned—“need to settle down.”
    Ginny sat down in a chair at the kitchen table. She didn’t want to go through with her mother’s mashed up version of a dating show. Wes’ card was burning a hole in the pocket of her jeans. Hopefully, her sister would play along. “Mom. I can’t do this. I met somebody, and I’ve started dating him.”
    “You have?” Her mom’s voice rose in excitement. Her sister merely raised her brows in question. “Do tell.”
    “It’s still new into our relationship.” All of two seconds. “He’s tall. Dark. Handsome.” Ginny met her sister’s gaze. “And just a little dangerous.”
    A huge grin appeared on Julie’s face. “Way to go, Gin.”
    Her sister wouldn’t be saying that if she knew the whole story, which Ginny would never tell.
    “Not a bad dangerous, I hope,” her mom said.
    “I don’t think so. He’s moved to Cape Hope because his dad is sick. His dad is Nick Flaherty.”
    “You’re dating one of the Flaherty boys?”
    “Oh, TJ was a couple years ahead of me. My friends and I used to sigh over his blond godliness.” Julie sighed, as if she were recalling the memory. “He used to ride this motorcycle.”
    “He still rides that motorcycle. Without a helmet,” her mom said with a frown. “They were wild, although I will say they’ve seemed to settle down as they’ve gotten older. Their dad is a decent guy, although he’s not doing too well.”
    “I’m not dating one of the Flaherty brothers,” Ginny clarified. “But he is Nick’s son. I’m dating Wes Dalton.”
    “That must be the boy from Nick’s first marriage. Wes and his mom moved to Las Vegas when he was a toddler. I don’t know Wes that well,” her mom said.
    Thank goodness for that.
    “I’ll ask around about Wes, but I expect to see the both of you at dinner next weekend.” Her mom stood and clapped her hands together. “Well, I’ve got to break it to seven eligible men that they’re not needed. Poor Raoul. He’s an artist, too!”
    When her mom left the room, Ginny let out a