by Eliza Ellis
“I didn’t ask you,” he grumbled, but he was in total agreement.
He had felt Kat’s response, but he didn’t think it was real. He chose to believe he was the only one overcome by holding her and finally—finally—kissing her. He had told himself that she was playing the role, not him. He was the only one risking his heart.
Now he understood why Kat had wanted to stay away. She was right. Working for Parker would put her too close. He couldn’t have her around after kissing her like that. He wasn’t the strongest of men. He was weak. Weak for Katrina. And he couldn’t do that to Parker.
And he definitely couldn’t tell Parker about this, or she’d swear he was breaking his promise. She wouldn’t understand it was a reenactment and it was all his grandmother’s fault. Or maybe she would, and then she’d ask why he didn’t say no in the first place.
He could’ve done that. When he saw Kat, he could’ve refused. Told his grandmother to find another groom. But there wasn’t any part of his body that had wanted to back out at that point. It was full steam ahead and consequences be damned. The perfect excuse.
“Grandma, I’m marrying Parker.”
She harrumphed. “After that kiss?”
He kicked the dirt. His insides tensed, and the word “yes” struggled to get out.
“Great job, you two!” A reenactor came forward and shook Drew’s hand. “You lucky dog, you. I had told Muriel I’d play the part of the groom, but she wouldn’t have it.” The older gentleman winked at Muriel.
“Harry, you know you’re too old. Stop being a pervert.”
He put a hand over his heart and feigned shock. “Too old! Now, Muriel, you know older men married young, pretty things back then. Especially that bride. Such big, beautiful brown eyes.”
“Yes, you!” Muriel’s voice rose. “You think I’m going to have some scruffy-bearded”—she yanked on the man’s salt-and-pepper beard—“old Casanova like yourself play the groom when my grandson is the perfect match?”
“Well, that is the truth. You two looked like a real couple standing up there at that altar,” Henry said with an enthusiastic nod. “When are we going to see your wedding for real?”
“In a couple of weeks,” Muriel answered for him.
“Next week. I’m marrying—”
“Soon as I get the girl on board, and my knuckle-headed grandson,” Muriel interrupted with a sharp look to Drew.
He risked chastisement by rolling his eyes.
“You need convincing?” Henry said in an incredulous voice to Drew. “After holding her in your arms and kissing her, you’re tellin’ me you can’t get her to the church?” He peered at him through slits. “Do you need help, son? Because I’ve romanced many a fine woman in my day—”
“The last day passed decades ago,” Muriel snapped. “He doesn’t need your kind of help, Henry.”
Henry bellowed.
“Get out of here and let me talk to my grandson.”
“Hope to see you and your new wife around soon,” Henry said with a tip of his hat.
Drew stared at his grandmother. “Please don’t go around telling people I’m marrying Kat. Have you thought of what that’ll do to her?”
“Hopefully convince her to go after you.”
“Grandma, if you had seen her—”
“Yeah, I saw her run away. That’s because she’s already in love with you and doesn’t want to risk her heart any more. All you have to do is have the courage to tell that Park Avenue she’s better off with her career.”
Drew chuckled. He admired his grandmother’s bluntness. If the situation was that easy, he would even agree with her. But it wasn’t. Telling Parker goodbye after making up would be cruel. “I’ve already ordered the wedding cake.”
“And you can’t un-order it?” Muriel asked with a matter-of-fact voice.
“Grandma, be reasonable.”
She put her hands on her hips. “I think I’ve been quite reasonable. You’re the one who refuses to see what’s right in front of your face.” She leaned in close. “The woman loves you, and you don’t love Parker. Problem solved.”
Someone called Muriel away, leaving Drew standing there with his grandmother’s revelation. At the altar, Kat looked absolutely terrified. He had jokingly told her he loved her, but it hadn’t felt wrong saying it. Reciting vows to her had been one of the easiest things he’d done in his life.
And the way she’d kissed him…
He didn’t want the kiss to end. When would he ever get the chance to do it again? It was now or never, and he took full advantage.
And it felt good. Better than it should’ve.
Guilt turned his stomach. He would be kissing Parker at the altar in about a week. Why did the thought sour him? Kat had it right: a simple wedding with just friends and family, outdoor near the lake. Beautiful, serene, peaceful.
Life with Parker would be anything but peaceful. Constantly on the go, barely any opportunity for quality time. She wasn’t even here, planning her wedding like a bride should be.
He had to ask himself if he were willing to give it all up. If the life he had envisioned with Parker was something he could live without.
The more he considered, the less that life appealed to him.
And the more he wanted to kiss Kat.
Chapter 16
Kat looked at the clock over the kitchen door and groaned. She had an hour to get the cakes in the oven, out, and iced and then get across town to the flower shop to meet Drew. She’d been lucky to find the one flower shop in the city that was desperate enough for business to do a wedding at the last minute. They had several bouquet options to choose from, and the shop used local contacts for their fresh flowers. Since Parker wasn’t the type for a lot of frilly, girly things, having a few table centerpieces and a bouquet would be all she needed.
Kat looked down at the cake batter. She had accidently added an ingredient that was in a different recipe she had made hours before, and now she’d have to start over. But there wasn’t any time. She had to go on.
“I know you’re really busy,” Susie said after coming through the door, “and that you really don’t put a lot of effort in marketing yourself—which is odd, since you want to start your own business—so I took the liberty of showcasing some of your work to well-known chef, and he’s coming into town for a quick visit tomorrow.”
Kat dropped her stirrer into the bowl. “What?” She snatched the paper Susie held out for her to see. “LeBleu? Are you serious!”
“Very serious.”
LeBleu! One of the premier chefs, well-known in Europe and someone who had his own show in America. Anyone serious about baking knew the name. “He’s…he’s…”
“Amazing, fabulous, someone who is going to love your recipes. Look. I reached out to him on Instagram with a photo of one of your new cakes that you’re making for Drew and Parker. He thought it sounded incredible and wants to try it. He’ll be here, and I want you to whip up some of your best ideas and a few of your new ones. I want him to see how creative you are.” She shrugged. “You never know. It could lead to your own television show.”
Kat stood with her mouth open. Having LeBleu try one of her desserts would be a dream come true. Wowing him would blow her mind. Anything beyond that would literally be icing on the cake. Her eyes watered, and she threw her arms around Susie’s shoulders. “Thank you!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You’re covered in flour!” Susie laughed and hugged her back.
Kat sniffed and wiped her eyes, knowingly smearing white on her cheek.
“Katrina, what on earth is the matter? You know you can do this.”
She nodded. “I know. I really needed something to distract me, and this is perfect.”
“Ah, Drew’s kiss.”
Kat closed her eyes and groaned.
Susie chuckled. “You should totally steal him away. I hope you used some tongue and rocked his world.”
“Susie!”
“Hey, your mom is right. Don’
t live with regrets. Go get your Steven. Don’t let some other girl marry your future husband. What sense does that make?”
“Plenty if he doesn’t want to marry me.”
Susie snorted. “Kiss him right, and he’ll want to do whatever you tell him.” She wagged her brows.
Kat laughed. “I’m seeing him today to get flowers for the wedding. Should be a quick trip, but I screwed up this recipe. If I restart now, I’m going to be late.”
“Just throw it in the oven. People will eat whatever you make, you know that. We’ll go over the flavors you want to showcase to LeBleu when you get back.”
Kat did what she was told and was across town and running into the flower shop right on the dot of the appointment time.
“Running late again?” Drew said with a wink.
“Almost,” Kat said, out of breath.
“No worries. So, flowers. What do we need?”
“It’s a simple wedding. I’m thinking a few centerpieces, and then we’ll use some vases from the hotel. And we’ll need the bouquets.”
“Great. Doesn’t the hotel have centerpieces?”
“Ones they reuse over and over. You’ll want something original.”
“We’ll save money using flowers?”
“Probably. I saw the list price for the hotel, and it was steep.”
“You’re the wedding planner. We’ll do what you suggest. Although, I think an outdoor wedding where we don’t have to pick the flowers is actually kind of perfect.”
Kat smiled remembering their shared idea at the reenactment. The setting was lovely, and marrying at the lake would be amazing. “Me too. But you’re not having that wedding.”
Drew’s smile waned. “No, I’m not, am I?”
After choosing a few flower arrangements and the bouquets Kat felt Parker would like—and not getting a response to her text messages after sending several pictures—Kat and Drew left the shop feeling satisfied and accomplished.
Drew drove her back to the bakery and followed her in, complaining about the lack of baked goods at his grandmother’s house. He picked out some cupcakes, cookies, and sweet bread to take home.
“Your grandmother…” was all Kat would say.
His contrite gaze caught hers. “I’m sorry about that. About yesterday,” he said softly.
“My mother had a hand in it too, so I’m sorry as well.”
Drew laughed. “Can’t blame them for trying. Grandma really doesn’t like Parker. But she didn’t like my mom either, and she was wrong about her.”
Kat stayed silent. She inferred he believed his grandmother to be wrong about Parker as well. If that were the case, then she was completely wrong about that kiss they had shared. He was acting, and she wasn’t. Did he suspect? Kat kept her eyes averted so he wouldn’t read how much she wanted him.
When Drew offered Susie money to pay, Susie said, “It’s on the house.”
“Don’t you need the business?”
“She’ll be getting more business soon enough,” Susie said. “Tell him.”
Kat’s cheeks warmed. “Susie is not only an amazing friend and boss”—she smiled at Susie—“but she’s also my accountability partner who earns her take.”
“I haven’t seen any silver crossing my palms,” Susie quipped.
Kat laughed. “She got in contact with a famous chef who will be in town tomorrow. He’s agreed to stop by the bakery and try some of my creations.”
“Kat!” Drew scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. “That is incredible!”
When he put her back down, her head continued to spin. “Yeah…”
“Aren’t you excited?” He studied her face, his brows furrowed. “You’re going after your dreams. Making opportunities happen.”
“Of course she’s excited,” Susie answered. “She’s a little nervous, is all.”
“I haven’t attended college or—”
“Who needs that when you have talent?” Susie asked.
“I’ve only had a few culinary classes. He’ll probably want me to complete a course at least.”
Drew cupped her face and stood close. “Kat. Don’t do that. Don’t give in to fear. I know you had a bad experience with your ex, but that doesn’t dictate your future. You’re a wonderful baker. You’ll blow him away. Trust yourself. This is your moment.”
Her moment. She’d thought that moment had passed when Marcus had changed his mind about his financial support. She didn’t know how many chances people got in their lives, but one didn’t seem to be on the horizon—until Susie. Having a second chance terrified her. She didn’t want to screw this up for anything. Kat inhaled deeply and let the air out. “Okay,” she whispered, her gaze still latched to his.
The corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “Okay.” He kissed her forehead and stepped back.
“Okay!” Susie exclaimed. “Well, if we’re going to be ready for him, we’ll need to go over the menu, and you need to start baking, Kat.”
Kat saluted. “Yes, ma’am.” Drew winked. She watched him leave, and a small amount of fear settled back into her mind. She couldn’t describe it really, other than feeling like everything was about to change.
And that she would lose him forever.
Chapter 17
Kat moaned for the hundredth time, walking around her presentation and feeling more anxious when she couldn’t find another thing to change.
“Cut it out!” Susie said from the counter. “He’s going to be here any minute, and you look like a wreck. You still have your apron on, your curls have flour tips, and you look like you don’t belong in his world.”
Kat shot her a narrowed look. “Because if you look at my lack of resume, I don’t belong in his world.”
Susie put her hands on her hips. “If you’ve eaten your own food, I’d say you do belong there. And he’ll think so too if you act like it. What did Drew tell you about your fear?”
Not to give in to it. Kat knew as much, but that still didn’t automatically get rid of her anxiety. Presentation was everything to these celebrity chefs. If it didn’t look good, that meant the food tasted even worse.
She kept her newest creations on a separate plate as a last-minute desperate attempt to win him over if he thought everything else was too vanilla. He was well known for thinking outside the box when combining flavors and was half the reason why she became a baker in the first place. Although he mastered many cooking techniques, he’d once said sweets were his Achilles’ heel.
She had about twenty arrows to shoot. One of them had to hit.
Susie hugged her from behind and planted a kiss on Kat’s cheek before slapping the flour out of Kat’s hair. “Don’t worry. LeBleu is going to love you. No pressure, but I did talk you up as his greatest fan and inspiration. He already knows you haven’t gone to school. Told him you didn’t need to because you were a genius. A prodigy.”
“You didn’t!”
“She did.”
LeBleu stood at the door, bowler hat in hand, with a huge grin on his face. He was taller than Kat would’ve guessed, but he still sported his signature curly mustache reminiscent of the 1800s. He stuck his hand out, and Kat shook it vigorously.
“Mr. LeBleu.”
“Please, call me Pascal. Are these what I’ll be eating today?” He eyed Kat’s presentation and rushed over.
“Yes, I have a lot for you to taste.”
He rubbed his hands together and gestured for her to join him. “Please, please. Both of you. I can’t wait to eat. Everything smells amazing.”
After Susie and Kat sat down, he asked Kat to explain her creations to him, and one by one, he tasted them all. Moan after moan filled Kat’s ears as Pascal leaned back and placed his hand over his heart several times. He looked at Kat with disbelief, asking her several times to confirm that she indeed made these herself.
Susie did most of the talking as Kat found herself more and more tongue-tied as he lavished her with praise. Was Susie right? Was she a prodigy?
“You must come to New York. I won’t take no for an answer.” He reached for the last plate of sweets she had created, just in case. “What are these?”
“My last-ditch efforts. I only made them last night, and the recipes haven’t been—”
“Oh!” LeBleu practically shouted around the cream in his mouth. “Uh,” he groaned, again dramatically portraying a fainting gesture. “This is simply incredible. Some of the flavors I wouldn’t have dreamed putting together. What is your inspiration?”
Kat shrugged. “Eating. Sweets always put a smile on people’s faces and…” Images from her childhood flashed before her mind. Her father’s booming voice of disapproval, her mother’s tears, frustrated grimaces from her sisters. “And I didn’t smile too much as a child, so I wanted to see smiles for the rest of my life.”
LeBleu’s eyes held sadness. “That is exactly the kind of story that will draw viewers to your show.”
Kat’s head snapped back. “My show?”
“Her show?” Susie said at the same time.
LeBleu nodded. “Of course. Did I not tell you? I’m looking for a new chef for the cooking show that will air here. It’ll take over Middle America. It’s why I thought you had contacted me.” He nodded to Susie.
Susie’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open with a shake of her head. “Uh, sure. Of course.”
“Mmm. Anyway,” LeBleu continued, “you must come to New York. Be my apprentice for about…” He nodded his head from side to side. “Six weeks. I think you’ll be a master in a few other areas by then. At least, enough to do the show. Then you can return and be on television.”
Kat sat speechless. Never had she anticipated this type of deal. Maybe that he’d feature a dessert of hers in one of his restaurants or on his Instagram page, but a six-week apprenticeship? Her very own television show? She felt so undeserving and completely unqualified.
