Baking Love Read online

  Back Cover

  Contemporary Romance by Lauren Boyd

  Three years ago, Kate Sullivan fell in love with her best friend, Eric Wagner. Before she could tell him, he abruptly ended their friendship. Now Eric has walked into Kate’s bakery and back into her life—but why? Is he here to confess his love for her?

  No. He’s here to order his groom’s cake. He’s getting married…to another woman.

  Baking Love

  Lauren Boyd

  MuseItUp Publishing

  www.museituppublishing.com

  Chapter One

  Saturday, January 14

  Kate Sullivan knelt beside the top tier of the wedding cake as it set on the work table, piping the final initial of a monogram in calligraphy. The small pastry bag barely filled her right hand, which she steadied with her left. She maintained gentle pressure on the bag to keep the white buttercream frosting flowing evenly through the round decorating tip.

  There. With the letter now complete, Kate relieved pressure on the bag, then slowly pulled it away from the cake. She stood up and stepped back to observe the completed monogram. Perfect. She laid the pastry bag on the work table and shook her hands to relax them.

  Kate’s assistant, Jess Turner, came through the swinging door connecting the kitchen to the front of the bakery. “Your ten o’clock appointment, Cecilia Prescott, is here. She needs to order her wedding cake.”

  “Thanks. Would you box up this tier for me?”

  “You got it.”

  Kate pushed through the swing I was just being friendly.htpiece ofing door and came out behind the counter, where her gaze landed on two women standing by the bakery entrance. The younger woman’s hair was amassed in a tight bun, and she wore a high-end sweater and skirt set. Bet she’s in her early twenties, like me. The woman next to her was equally well-groomed and well-dressed. Her mother, no doubt.

  Kate walked over to the women. “Welcome to Sullivan’s Cakery,” she greeted them.

  “Hello,” the younger woman replied. “Are you Kate?”

  Interesting, she’s from New York. “Yes, I’m Kate.”

  “I’m Cecilia Prescott, and this is my mother Loraine.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.”

  “You’re here to order your wedding cake, correct?”

  “Correct.”

  Kate smiled. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.”

  Why is this so awkward? “Let’s have a seat and talk.” Kate motioned toward the circular table beside one of the bakery’s front windows.

  “Okay.”

  Kate followed the women to the table. “Is your fiancé joining us?” she asked, as they all sat down.

  “No.”

  “In that case, I’ll jump right in.” She opened one of the photo albums on the table and turned it around to face Cecilia and Loraine. “This album has pictures of the wedding cakes we’ve done.”

  “I’m not looking for something that’s been done,” Cecilia frowned. “I’m looking for originality.”

  “Of course.” Kate opened the notebook that was also lying on the table and picked up the pen next to it. “Tell me what you’d like.”

  Cecilia’s furrowed brows relaxed into a more satisfied expression. “I want my wedding cake to be unlike anything anyone’s ever seen. I want white cake, white frosting, and white fondant. I want pale yellow beadwork, lacework, scrollwork, and fondant flowers. It goes without saying that the decorations should be tasteful and not tacky.”

  Yet you said it anyway.

  Cecilia pulled a photo from her purse and handed it across the table to Kate. “This will give you a better idea of what I have in mind.”

  When Kate laid eyes on the five-tiered wedding cake in the photo, with its intricate piping work and delicate fondant flowers, she knew exactly why Cecilia liked it. “It’s breath-taking.”

  “Indeed it is.”

  “I’m happy to use this cake for inspiration. I’ll draw up some sketches, and the next time we meet, we’ll see which one you like best. How does that sound?”

  “Wonderful,” Loraine spoke for the first time. Cecilia didn’t reply.

  Kate noticed her silence. “Don’t worry, Cecilia. Your cake won’t look identical to the one in the photo.” She smiled. “It’ll look better.”

  “It’s just…” Cecilia shifted in her chair. “From what I understand, these decorating techniques are quite difficult and challenging.”

  Kate’s smile faded. She’s saying she doesn’t think I have the skills and training necessary to make the cake she wants. Kate swallowed her disbelief at this woman’s audacity and for in the mountains of North Carolina.inCced a calm note to her voice. “You’re right. These techniques are difficult and challenging. Fortunately, I mastered them all some time ago.” Thanks to my grandma.

  “I see.”

  “Could we sample the cake you have in mind for the wedding?” Loraine piped up.

  Wonder if Loraine’s aptly-timed interruption was deliberate. “Certainly.” Kate looked across the bakery to see if Jess was available and noticed she had just finished with a customer. “Jess?”

  “Yes?”

  “Would you please bring Cecilia and Ms. Prescott each a slice of our white chocolate cake with buttercream frosting?”

  “Of course.”

  “Buttercream?” Cecilia echoed. “That doesn’t sound white.”

  “I’ll add bright white paste color to the buttercream frosting for your wedding cake,” Kate told her. “That’ll ensure it’s white.”

  “Ah.”

  “I’ll be honest with you. This cake will take some time.”

  “You mean, it’ll be expensive.”

  “That, too.” At least Cecilia’s not an idiot.

  “We’re getting married June second, which is five months from now. Is that enough time?”

  Is she being a smart-ass? “Yes, five months is plenty of time.”

  “Cost isn’t an issue,” Loraine’s perfectly-timed voice rang out.

  The price of this cake might be the only redeeming factor to working with these people. “Okay.” Kate wrote “June 2” in her notebook. “Where are you getting married?”

  “The Wynnfield House, which is in Asheville. It’s a three-and-a-half hour drive from here, in the mountains of North Carolina.”

  Thanks for the geography lesson, Cecilia. I’ve only lived in North Carolina my entire life, but thanks.

  “I realize the drive could take longer with an eight-tiered wedding cake in tow,” Cecilia continued. “I also realize it will take some time to assemble a cake of that size on site. Therefore, my parents are prepared to pay for your stay at the inn on the premises the weekend of the wedding.”

  “That’s very generous. Did you say eight-tiered?”

  Cecilia’s gaze shifted to her mother. “Did I neglect to mention that?” she asked.

  “I believe so, dear.”

  The woman’s gaze returned to Kate. “Forgive me. I know the cake in the photo has five-tiers, but ours is to have eight. In keeping with tradition, the top tier will be for our first wedding anniversary.”

  Eight tiers.

  “Here we are!” Jess said cheerfully upon arriving at the table. She set a plated slice of cake and a plastic fork in front of each woman. “Enjoy!”

  “Thanks,” Kate murmured absent-mindedly as Jess walked away. Eight tiers.

  “Oh, wow,” Loraine swooned. “This cake is divine. It’s perfect for the wedding.”

  Kate watched Cecilia take a bite. Dare I ask? “What do you think?”

  “It’s good,” she said with less enthusiasm a casual note to her voice. “onsa than her mother. “I can see why my fiancé is so fond of your bakery.”

&nb
sp; “Is that how you heard about us? Through your fiancé?”

  “Yes.” Cecilia lowered her fork to her plate. “He insisted on using Sullivan’s Cakery for our wedding cake and groom’s cake.”

  Realization slapped Kate in the face. Cecilia isn’t here because she wants to be. She’s here because her fiancé wants her to be. She has absolutely no interest in working with me.

  Now I know why this is so awkward.

  “He said his family always ordered their cakes from this bakery when he was growing up,” Cecilia added.

  “Who is your fiancé?” Kate asked, intrigued. If this guy grew up eating Sullivan’s, then he’s from Hillsborough—which means I probably know him.

  Cecilia’s phone rang. “Excuse me,” she said. She pulled her phone from her purse and glanced at the screen before answering. “Hi, darling.”

  While Cecilia talked, Kate subtly sized up her engagement ring. Princess cut diamond, probably two carats…smaller diamonds set in a platinum band…stunning. A twinge of impatience suddenly struck. When will I meet the man I want to marry—and who wants to marry me?

  Cecilia returned her phone to her purse. “We’ve taken up enough of your time.” She stood up, and Kate and Ms. Prescott followed suit.

  I’d be lying if I said it’s been a pleasure. “Thanks for coming in.”

  “We’ll be back next Saturday at the same time to finalize our order, if that works for you.”

  “It does.”

  “My fiancé will accompany us to pick out a groom’s cake.”

  “Alright. I’ll see you then.”

  “See you then.”

  Kate watched Cecilia stride confidently toward the front of the bakery. She and her mother pushed through the door, and Kate smiled smugly.

  This cake is go

  Chapter Two

  Sunday, January 15

  Kate yawned as she drove. I shouldn’t have stayed up so late sketching Cecilia’s wedding cake. She pulled into the bakery parking lot and sighed in relief at the sight of Jess’s car. If Jess is already here, then coffee is already brewing.

  Sure enough, the smell of caffeine filled her nose when she entered the bakery. “Morning, Jess.”

  The light in one of the display cases flicked on, and Jess to help us assemble the wedding cake.spypopped up from behind it. “Good morning!”

  Hmm. She seems unusually chipper.

  “How’d it go with the sketches last night?”

  “I’m pleased with them, but tell me what you think.” Kate walked over to Jess and pulled her sketchbook from her workbag. “This is the first one.”

  Jess gasped. “That cake is amazing!”

  “Here are the others.” Kate showed her several more drawings. “Which one do you like best?”

  Jess flipped back and forth between the pages before finally coming to rest on the first sketch. “This is my favorite.”

  “Mine, too.”

  “I’ve just never seen a cake quite like this before.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. Cecilia wants ‘originality’.”

  “In my opinion, it beats the cake in her photo.”

  “I hope she’ll agree.” Kate returned her sketchbook to her bag. “What’d you do last night?”

  “Mark took me to the new restaurant downtown.”

  “Oh, really? How was it?”

  “Wonderful. He proposed over dinner.”

  “What?” Kate exclaimed.

  Jess giggled and held up her left hand, which now bore a sparkling, round cut diamond. “Mark asked me to marry him, and I said yes!”

  “You’re engaged?”

  “I’m engaged!”

  The women screamed in excitement, and Kate pulled Jess into a hug. “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!” She released her friend and scooped up her left hand. “Wow, Mark has good taste. Your ring is gorgeous.”

  “I had no idea he was even shopping for a ring.”

  “Have you set the date?”

  “Not exactly. We both love fall, so we’re thinking about an October wedding. We’re even talking about getting married in the mountains.”

  “A fall wedding would be gorgeous.” A fall wedding cake would be gorgeous, too: colorful fondant leaves on a white fondant background, white scrollwork, a thin brown ribbon wrapped around the base of each tier…

  “Kate?”

  “Yes?” she replied, snapping her attention back to Jess.

  “You’re my best friend. In fact, you’re like the sister I never had. It would mean the world to me if you’d stand by my side on my wedding day as my maid-of-honor.”

  Tears filled Kate’s eyes. “I would love to.”

  “If it’s not too much to ask, Mark and I would also like you to consider making our wedding cake.”

  Kate opened her mouth to respond, but Jess quickly continued. “If you think it’s a conflict of interest to make our cake because I work for you, we’ll use a different baker—but just think about it, okay?”

  “Sure, I’ll think about it.” Kate took one step toward the coffee machine. “Jess?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’d love to make your wedding cake.”

  She laughed and threw her arms around Kate. “Thank you!”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Jess motioned toward Kate’s workbag. “If you’d make us one of Cecilia’s tiers, we’d be hap:flow:0001?mim

  Chapter Three

  Saturday, January 21

  “Is my sketchbook on the table?” Kate asked Jess.

  “It sure is.”

  “How about the groom’s cake photo album?”

  “It’s there, too.”

  “Great, thanks.” Kate glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost ten. “Cecilia will be here any minute.” She grabbed the broom from the supply closet and started to sweep around the bakery entrance.

  “The floor’s not dirty, Kate.”

  “I know. I’m trying to work out my nerves.”

  “You’re nervous about your appointment with Cecilia?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “After the way our first appointment went, I don’t know what to expect today, especially because her fiancé is coming with her. I mean, what if he’s more of a nightmare than she is?”

  “It’s possible he’s the total opposite of her and balances her out.”

  “That’d be nice.” Kate put the broom back in the closet and washed her hands. She opened one of the display cases and bent over to reposition the white chocolate cake she’d made for Cecilia’s fiancé to sample.

  The bells tied to the bakery door rang. With her eyes still on the cake, Kate called out, “Welcome back.”

  “Thanks, Kate.”

  She froze. Eric? She looked out the front glass of the case. It is Eric!

  His gaze met hers through the glass, and she quickly diverted her eyes…but not quickly enough. “Are you trying to hide from me?” she heard him ask.

  Maybe. “No!” she called out definitively from inside the display case. “Of course not!”

  “It sure looks like you’re trying to hide.”

  Anger surged through her. You’re one to talk! Where have you been all this time? Prepared to say these very words aloud, Kate pulled her head out of the case and met his gaze.

  Eric smiled. “Hey, you.”

  The mere smile of the man who’d formerly been her best friend for five years was enough to melt her anger. “Hey, yourself.” Without a second thought, Kate walked out from behind the counter and across the bakery toward Eric. She noticed him approaching her as well. When the gap between them was nearly closed, they wrapped their arms around each other.

  “It’s good to see you again,” he said.

  “It’s good to see you, too.” I’ve missed you more than I’d realized. to familiarize yourself with the venue.spy

  Eric released her, and she noticed how little his physical appearance had changed. As handsome as ever. “How’s New York?
”

  “It’s incredible.”

  “You still studying architecture?”

  “Yep, and I graduate in May.”

  “Congratulations.” Memories of her friendship with Eric suddenly flooded her mind: becoming fast friends—then best friends—when he’d transferred to her high school their freshman year; playing and fishing with Jess, Mark, and their other high school friends in the watering hole at the back of her grandma’s farmhouse property; telling him good-bye when he’d left for college in New York and she’d stayed in Hillsborough to work for her grandma at Sullivan’s; the summer after his freshman year of college, when he’d spent the days working in Hillsborough, the evenings hanging out with Kate, and the weekends helping her and her grandma transport and assemble wedding cakes; falling in love with him that same summer, but not telling him for fear of ruining their friendship if he wasn’t in love with her; receiving an email from him once he’d returned to New York for his sophomore year, saying he’d started dating a woman he’d met on campus; realizing she’d missed her opportunity to tell him she loved him; the subsequent months of heartache and sadness she’d endured while forcing herself to get over him.

  Now he’s here…but why?

  “The bakery looks terrific,” Eric commented as he scanned the space.

  “Thanks.”

  “Francis takes good care of this place, doesn’t she?”

  Kate blinked. “My grandma passed away five months ago.”

  Eric’s gaze shot to hers. “No.”

  “Yeah. She had a heart attack.”

  His face fell. “Kate, I’m so sorry. I hadn’t heard. Are you alright?”

  She forced a smile. “I’m hanging in there.” I need to redirect this conversation so I’m not bawling when Cecilia walks through the door. “What brings you to town?”

  “Actually, I need to order a cake.”

  “Oh? What’s the occasion?”

  Before Eric could answer, the bells on the front door jingled again. Kate looked and saw Cecilia, Loraine, and an older gentleman she immediately recognized entering the bakery. Walter Prescott, the renowned Manhattan businessman. Suddenly, it clicked. He’s Cecilia’s father…and the reason cost isn’t an issue for this wedding cake. “Good morning,” Kate greeted them. She realized her nerves had vanished at the sight of Eric and returned at the sight of Cecilia and her father.