Baking Love Read online

  “I wasn’t there for you when your grandma passed away.”

  Tears instantly filled Kate’s eyes. “It’s okay,” she said in a dismissive manner, hoping to steer Eric away from this topic of conversation. I’m emotionally-drained enough as it is without adding my feelings about my grandma’s death to the mix.

  “It’s not okay. If I hadn’t ended our friendship, I would’ve still been in your life when it happened. I could’ve helped you through it.”

  Kate pulled away from Eric and met his gaze with a forced smile. “You helped me tonight, so let’s call it even, okay?”

  “I should’ve called you after I broke up with my girlfriend.”

  “The past is over, so there’s no need to beat yourself up about it now.” Before Eric could say anything else, Kate started down the paved trail toward the inn.

  He quickly fell in step beside her. They walked in silence for a few minutes before he finally spoke again. “I have to admit, there’s another reason I didn’t start calling you again.”

  “Oh?”

  “I thought you might’ve had a boyfriend.” He paused. “Did you?”

  “No.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “Do you now?”

  First the stand-in bride, now this. Talk about rubbing salt in the wound. “No.”

  He didn’t respond.

  “The bakery takes up most of my time,” Kate quickly added.

  “Do you like owning Sullivan’s?”

  Finally, a reason to smile. “I love it more than anything.”

  “Funny, that’s how I feel abouts welling up with tears.reo Cecilia.”

  Right, Cecilia. For the second time in two days, Kate found herself inexplicably jealous of Eric’s fiancée. “How did you and Cecilia meet?”

  “We had a class together last semester.”

  “Wait, that’s when you met?”

  Eric laughed. “Yeah.”

  “Are you saying you’ve only known her for, like, six months?”

  “Yeah. It’s not a lot of time, but it was all the time I needed to realize I’d landed a great woman.”

  Enough time? Yes. Cecilia, a great woman? Debatable.

  “She and I had a class together, and I noticed she always sat in the same seat. One day, I decided to sit beside her. We got to talking and really hit it off. We dated all semester, and I proposed in December.”

  For some reason, I don’t want to hear about the proposal. “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Incidentally, her ring is beautiful.”

  “You like it?”

  “I do.” Kate nudged his arm. “What’d you have to sell to buy her that thing?”

  “Actually, I didn’t have to sell anything. Walter and Loraine gave me the money for Cecilia’s ring.”

  What? “Are you serious?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Were you insulted?”

  Eric laughed. “You’re the only person who’s asked me that question.” He paused. “Yes, I was insulted, not only because they were adamant about paying for their daughter’s engagement ring, but also because they insisted I take her shopping so she could pick out the ring she wanted. In my opinion, a man is entitled to select and finance the ring he wants his fiancée—his future wife—to wear.” Eric stepped over a stick on the trail. “I guess I’m old-fashioned.”

  “Not at all.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  “Absolutely not. There are lots of women who want their engagement ring to be a surprise, who can’t wait to see what their fiancé picks out for them.”

  “Like who?”

  I can’t believe I’m saying this. “Well, like me.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hmm.”

  They continued down the trail, and Kate knew this would be the only chance she’d ever get to ask Eric one lingering, mind-boggling question. “If you don’t mind my asking, since we’re being so honest with each other: what do you find attractive about Cecilia?”

  “Cecilia has it all. She’s smart, funny, beautiful, kind, level-headed—the total package. I’m a lucky guy.”

  “Great. I’m glad to hear she’s kind.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “No, what’d you say? Did you say you’re glad to hear she’s kind?”

  “It sure is a lovely night.”

  “You did! What’d you mean? You don’t think she’s nice?”

  “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  “Too late, you already did.”

  Xs p d fClearly, I’m not getting out of this one without an explanation. “Let’s just say, after working with Cecilia, ‘kind’ is not a word I would use to describe her.” Kate quickly continued. “I’m a professional and I can handle it, so I’m not even sure why I brought it up.”

  “Cecilia isn’t nice to you?” Eric sounded perplexed. “She’s nice to everyone.”

  This conversation isn’t going in a good direction. Time to change my tune for argument’s sake. “I’m glad you found each other, and I’m glad she makes you happy.”

  “I know you better than that, Kate Sullivan. You’re backpedaling now.”

  “Oh, look. There’s the inn.”

  “Uh-huh. You got lucky.”

  Once they’d reached the front terrace of the Wynnfield Inn, Eric stopped and turned to Kate. “In the spirit of honesty, I have to say: I can’t believe you had your phone on during the pre-rehearsal.”

  Kate felt her face flush. “I’m sorry. I forgot to turn it off before things got started.”

  “It was loud, too.”

  She cringed. “I know. That made it worse.”

  “Just out of curiosity, who called you?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t recognize the number. I didn’t even recognize the area code.”

  “What was the area code?”

  “I don’t remember.” Kate pulled her phone from her purse and pressed a button, causing the screen to light up brightly in the night. She squinted as she scrolled through the Missed Calls menu. “The area code was two-one-two.”

  “Two-one-two,” Eric repeated. “I wonder where that is. Wonder who it was.”

  There’s only one way to find out. “I’ll call the number and see who answers.”

  “You sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Why not?” Kate asked, already highlighting the number in her phone. She put it to her ear and heard it ring once. A split-second later, she heard it ring somewhere else—somewhere surprisingly close. What? The phone rang a second time, and it happened again. What’s going on? She scanned the immediate vicinity in search of another phone. On the third ring, her eyes led her to the source of the sound: the man standing in front of her.

  She nearly dropped her phone. “You called me?” she shouted.

  Eric burst out laughing.

  “You did!”

  He doubled over in laughter. “Kate, I—”

  “I can’t believe this!” She thrust her phone back into her purse and shoved Eric’s shoulder. “You punk! No wonder you had that stupid smile on your face up there today!”

  Eric straightened and wiped tears from his eyes. “You should’ve seen your face when Loraine asked you to stand in for Cecilia.”

  Oh, hell. Kate dropped her purse to the ground. “Where’s your phone?” She reached for the lapels of Eric’s sports coat, but he backed away and started to run. She took off after him. “Why won’t you let me see your phone, huh? What are you hiding?”

  Eric laughed as he ran. “I don’ door and came out behind the counter, where6Po t know what you’re talking about!”

  “Oh, yes, you do! I’m going to prove it as soon as I get a hold of you!” Kate chased him around the terrace and through the front yard. She was still trying to catch him when she noticed a couple approaching the inn from the parking lot. Not wanting to alarm them, she slowed to a halt. “Eric!” she hissed.

  He stopped to
face her.

  She motioned toward the couple. “Knock it off!”

  The man and woman stepped onto the terrace, and Kate used the opportunity to her advantage. Eric isn’t going to run from me in front of them. She walked over to Eric, then smiled warmly at the people as they passed. “Good evening.”

  “Good evening,” the gentleman nodded.

  Once the front door of the inn had closed behind the couple, Kate turned to Eric and grabbed the lapels of his coat. “Give me your phone,” she demanded.

  He met her gaze, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Like hell.”

  Kate shook her head slowly. “Wrong answer, Mr. Wagner.” She yanked his coat open and plunged her hand into one of his pockets. Finding it empty, she started toward another—and brushed against something in his shirt pocket. She reached inside and pulled the object out. “Ah, ha! Your phone!” She pressed a button, and the screen lit up. “What do you know? ‘Missed Call’, with my name and number.” She turned the phone around so Eric could see it. “Looks like I’m vindicated.”

  He laughed. “Looks like I’m busted!”

  Kate lowered the phone. “Why did you call me during the pre-rehearsal? What were you thinking?”

  Eric straightened his coat. “I wanted to practice with someone I knew, and since I didn’t know most of the women there, I decided to give Loraine some guidance in her selection.” He grinned. “I’m just glad you had your phone on.”

  “How did you call me without anyone noticing?”

  “When Loraine said she needed someone to stand in for Cecilia, you should’ve seen the women. They were looking down, around, everywhere but toward the front of the room—which meant they weren’t looking at me, either. Your number’s in my phone, so all I had to do was highlight your name and press send.”

  “I see.” His line of reasoning is valid, but I can’t let him off that easy. Still holding Eric’s phone, Kate started walking toward the fountain on the terrace.

  “Where are you going?” she heard Eric ask. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Hey, give me my phone!”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll take care of your phone.” With no intention of throwing it in the water, she stepped up to the fountain.

  Suddenly, she felt Eric’s arms wrap tightly around her from behind. “You’re not throwing my phone in the fountain!”

  Good, you sound nervous. “Watch me!” She tried to raise her arm so she could pretend to toss it in, but she couldn’t wriggle out of his grasp. “Let go, chump! This phone’s going to get it!”

  “You’re going to get it if my phone ends up in the water!”

  “Eric?”

  Kate stopped squirming and looked up. exchanged a high-five.lldu Cecilia stared down at them from an open window.

  Eric immediately released Kate. “Hey, sweetie,” he called out to Cecilia. “What are you doing up?”

  “The noise out here woke me.”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “Who’s with you?”

  Eric’s gaze slid to Kate, then back to Cecilia. Wonder why he looks worried.

  “Kate Sullivan,” he answered his fiancée.

  “Hey, Cecilia.” Kate waved—and realized she was still holding Eric’s phone. She quickl“No. Con

  Chapter Seven

  Thursday, March 1

  Kate was decorating a birthday cake when Jess came through the kitchen door. “What do you think about this cake?” Kate asked.

  “Is that a trick question?”

  She chuckled. “No.”

  Jess’s gaze slid to the cake, and her brows flinched. “Uh, it looks okay.”

  “Tell me the truth.”

  “It’s not your best work.”

  Kate stared at her.

  “Okay, it sucks.”

  “I knew it.”

  “Why does the cake look like…that?”

  Kate sat down on a stool. “Something’s been bothering me, and now it’s starting to affect my work.” She motioned toward the cake. “Clearly.”

  “This sounds serious.”

  “It is.” Kate swallowed hard. “I’m going to be honest with you.”

  “I would expect nothing less.”

  “I hope you don’t end up thinking I’m a terrible person.”

  “It would take a lot for me to think that.”

  This might just do it. “Alright, here it goes. When I was walking down the aisle last weekend, Eric smiled at me the way he used to years ago. It evoked feelings I couldn’t pinpoint at the time.” Kate hesitated. “Now I the cake,” Mark mused..spy know what they are.” She watched Jess’s facial expression change. Bet she knows exactly what I’m going to say.

  “You’re still in love with him, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Jess cast her a sympathetic glance. “Kate.”

  “I know.”

  “Maybe you’re just getting caught up in all this wedding stuff. I mean, you were the bride last weekend.”

  Kate shook her head. “These feelings are familiar. I recognize them from three years ago.”

  Realization crossed Jess’s face. “The summer you fell in love with him.”

  “Exactly. I thought I got over him after we lost touch, but apparently, I was wrong.” She rested her head on her folded arms. “What am I supposed to do? I’m certainly not going to try and break up his engagement to Cecilia. I would never do such a thing.”

  She felt Jess’s hand on her back. “I’m sorry, Kate. Damn.”

  With tears in her eyes, Kate lifted her head and met Jess’s gaze. “How am I supposed to make a wedding cake for the man I love…and the woman he loves?”

  Jess fell silent. “I don’t know.”

  “Do you think I should try and break them up?”

  “No, because if you succeeded, I don’t think it’d sit well with your conscience.”

  “Okay. Do you think I should treat Eric any differently now?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “After our conversation on the altar and our game of cat-and-mouse on the terrace of the Wynnfield Inn, I feel like we’re reacquainted and back to where we were in our friendship three years ago. You know, being open and honest with each other—and also being playful and flirty. Maybe out of respect for his engagement to Cecilia, I should lay off the ‘playful and flirty’ part.”

  “You mean, treat him less like your friend and more like your customer?”

  “Yes. Well put.”

  “I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Jess paused. “It’s nice of you to be so considerate of Eric’s feelings, but what about your own?”

  “The only choice I have is to get over him, so I will, once and for all.” Kate smiled weakly. “Maybe by the time I see him again, I’ll have already moved on.”

  Jess nodded, but didn’t reply.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  She knows something. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “That’s just it. I wouldn’t be a very good friend if I did tell you.”

  “You’re an excellent friend. Now tell me.”

  Jess stared at Kate for a long moment, then sighed. “Eric’s coming to Hillsborough in two weeks.”

  “He is?” Kate asked in surprise. “Why?”

  “You remember he and Mark were good friends in high school.”

  “Yeah.”

  “They reconnected at the Wynnfield Tavern last weekend, so Eric decided to spend part of his Spring Break hanging out with Mark.”

  “What are they going to do?”

  “Mark’s taking time off work, and they’re going to play—basket exchanged a high-five."> Sullivanball, golf, pool. You know, guy stuff.”

  “I’m surprised Eric isn’t spending Spring Break with Cecilia at some Caribbean resort.”

  “CeciliaLKGI">“Y

  Chapter Eight

  Friday, March 16

  Kate pulled open the front door of Maples and discove
red Eric standing inside the entrance. He flashed her that smile. “Hey, you.”

  This might’ve been a mistake. Kate summoned her courage. Stick to your plan. “Hey, Eric. How ya doing?” Bet you thought I was going to say, Hey, yourself.

  Sure enough, he looked thrown. “Uh, fine.”

  “How does it feel to be back in Hillsborough?”

  “Strange, yet familiar. I feel like an outsider.”

  “Well, you’ve been away for a while, but you can always come home.” What did I mean by that statement? Did it even make sense? Kate diverted her gaze from Eric and rolled her eyes. New Kate needs to step it up…and change the subject. “Where are Jess and Mark?”

  “They went to get in line since it’s crowded tonight. I told them I’d wait by the door for your late self.”

  Oh, to make a smart-ass remark. “I’m sorry I’m late. Do you want to go find them now?”

  Again, Kate saw confusion on Eric’s face. “Yeah, sure.”

  * * * *

  They walked further inside, and Kate scanned the crowd for Jess and Mark. “I see them,” she told Eric. She led the way to the front of one of the lines and came up behind Jess. “Boo!”

  Jess spun around. “Hey, Kate!”

  “Hey! Thanks for getting in line for us.”

  “No problem.”

  “What size shoes?” the guy behind the counter asked Kate and Eric.

  “Twelve,” Eric said.

  “Ten,” Kate said.

  “Your feet are big,” Eric said to Kate.

  So are yours. “I know my feet are big.”

  Eric nudged her arm. “I’m just messing with you!”

  Kate smiled politely.

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m fine, thanks.”

  “Here ya go.” The guy plopped two pairs of bowling shoes on the counter. Kate and Eric picked them up and walked over to the lanes to join Jess and Mark.

  “This place looks the same,” Eric commented. “It brings back memories.”

  Kate started to change her shoes. “I’ve always wondered what Maples means.”

  “‘Maples’ is another word for pins,” Mark explained. “Bowling pins.”

  “How clever. Thanks, Mark.”

  “Do you still bowl the way you did in high school, man?” Eric asked. “Because you kicked ass back then.”