How to Bake the Perfect Wedding Cake (13 page)

“Hey lighten up, we were just going to grab a drink. You can come if you want.”

Jack lets out a laugh and shakes his head. “No, you weren’t. That will never happen. Lauren isn’t interested in you. It’s obvious to everyone except you.”

“Oh yeah? Well it wasn’t so obvious to me when she kissed me earlier today.”

I gasp. I cannot believe Trent just said that.

Jack just laughs. “Really? Is this the kiss that her body physically rejected?”

Trent looks stunned. Obviously he didn’t expect me to tell Jack what happened.

“Let me be clear,
Trent
, if I see or hear about your hands on her body at any point ever again, it will be the last time you are able to move them of your own accord.”

Trent shakes his head. “We’ll see about that.”

Jack glances down at the ground for a second before his arm swings back and delivers a hard clock across Trent’s jaw. Trent stumbles, wiping his face before swinging back at Jack.

Jack blocks the hit and delivers a second blow to Trent’s stomach. He doubles over, coughing. A small crowd has gathered outside the restaurant.

“You don’t want this to continue. It won’t end well for you, Trent. Trust me, those were my soft hits.”

Trent stays in his curled position and Jack grabs my hand, leading me to the car.

He slides in next to me. “Are you okay?”

I raise an eyebrow. “I’m fine. How are your hands?”

Jack lets out a laugh. “Lauren, my hands are fine. He put his hands on you. I couldn’t stand there and let him get away with it. Those were easy shots. If he comes near you again or even shows the smallest ounce of unprofessional conduct, I want you to let me know.” His eyes are inspecting me like he wants to know he can trust me with this request.

“I know…I thought it was over with him. After he kissed me, I printed out the sexual harassment forms but I haven’t turned anything in yet. I don’t know why but in my head, I always felt like he would stop, that it wouldn’t continue.”

“It won’t. That asshole got what’s coming to him.”

“Jack, you probably shouldn’t have done that. You have to be careful.”

“You aren’t serious, are you? I’m not a caveman but I will not stand back and have another man kiss my fiancée and then grab her in a parking lot. NO. This is over. He will know it and he will never think of you again. The end. And I don’t want to discuss this any further.”

I’m afraid. Afraid for what Jack is saying and what it could possibly mean. I have done nothing to encourage Trent and yet he has been relentless. Maybe Jack is right. Maybe I need to let him handle this. Maybe when you join with another person you take on certain roles and maybe Jack should deal with this role, of taking on Trent and getting rid of any thoughts and advances.

“I should have said something to Human Resources a long time ago.” I shake my head and my shoulders slump.

“Well, you could always speak up now.”

But could I? Now things have changed. So much time has passed and he is a manager now. Will it seem legitimate if I speak up now? I think I might have missed my “speak now or forever hold your peace” moment.

Chapter Nine

Technology is wonderful on so many levels. But the idea of video chatting with Brianna, Megan, my mom, Grandmother, and my sister-in-law Aurora? I’m just not sure about that. Megan set up a Google Hangout for us and the scheduled time has arrived. Jack said he would give me some privacy for the meeting and has left. Though, I wish he were here so he could interrupt me if needed.

I click on the Google Hangout and immediately the image of Megan is on my screen. She’s writing something down in her notebook. The woman is for sure organized. Her little blue and pink tabs line the pages—no doubt they are in regards to Jack and me.

“Hey, Megan, whatcha doing there?” I try to peer closer at what she is writing. She closes her notebook.

“Nothing, where is everyone else?”

“It’s only 3:00 p.m. You know how people like to show up when they can. I still can’t believe Mom is going to be on here with Grandmother.”

“Oh hello, dear, were you speaking about me?” My grandmother’s face pops up on my screen in the lower corner. Her eyebrows are raised and her chin is lifted as if she is trying to figure out how she looks on screen. This is so odd.

“Party time, first round’s on me!” Brianna’s face, along with a glass of wine, appears before me. Wow, this is really happening. My phone lights up and I glance at the message. It’s Aurora.

I’m sorry to miss it but the babies are a real handful today. Go on without me. I’m sure Megan will send me a transcript or something.

“Hey, everyone, Aurora has her hands full so she said to go on without her.”

Megan brushes her hair off her shoulder and into a clip. “All right, then let’s get started. To begin: Lauren, have you figured out your wedding colors and location?”

“Yes, our wedding colors are red and gold, kind of like a fiery look to go with the autumn season. Think Braeburn apples.” My cheeks heat thinking about Jack and apples.

“What’s that, dear? Did you say orange for wedding color? That’s not a good color for your skin.” My grandmother’s face gets really close to the screen like she is trying to see us closer. I knew this technology thing was going to be a bit off.

“No, she said fiery colors like red and gold—right, Lauren?” Brianna raises her glass to the camera. I should have poured a glass too.

“Right, got the colors. And what about favors?” Megan taps on her notebook.

“Um, we never discussed favors. Do we really need them?”

“Lauren Sandra Hauser, I raised you better than that. You have to have favors—that is tradition and proper etiquette.” My mom pats my grandmother’s shoulder like she is trying to console her from being upset by my horrible suggestion. Are favors really necessary though?

“How about mini sculptures of Jack and Lauren surrounded by pecans?” Brianna lets out a little giggle. But my mom is taking notes. Which is not good. My mom will take Brianna’s sculpture and raise it with a water fountain and firework display.

“I think we would prefer something that the guests can use, like soap or matches.” I shrug.

“Matches? Do you know anyone who smokes, dear?” My grandmother’s eye is the only thing in her little box on my screen.

“I don’t think so but they’re nice to have, right?”

“Oh no, that’s not a good idea. That gives the wrong impression. You want something classy like glasses with your names and wedding date etched on them.”

I cringe a bit and motion one finger to the screen to say I’ll be a minute. Wine cannot wait. I make my way to the kitchen and pop some Pinot as quick as I can. I don’t want an etched glass with our names. Who uses those anyways? That seems like a waste of glass and money.

“And then out of the satchel can be a bag of pecans and the outside can be a burlap case with an apple on the front.” Megan is writing two times faster than the words are coming out of her mouth.

“I’m not sure what you just said but I like the sound of it.”

“Perfect, that settles it. Next action item: flowers.”

“Dear, you’ve got to go with corals, reds, and yellows and the entire theme can be your apples.” My mom is scribbling really fast too. I’m curious as to what is going down on her paper that is not being verbalized.

“Okay, and what about location? Where are you thinking?” Megan is staring at me with her blue eyes inspecting my every move.

“We were thinking Texas to avoid major travel for everyone. Maybe at Tibor’s Pecan Farm, the place we met? I dropped them an email; I’m waiting to hear back.”

“Great, Texas. Okay, we need the location figured out by the end of the week.” Megan taps on her paper.

I give her a salute with my hand at the same time as Brianna. We can’t help but break out in laughter. Thankfully Megan was too busy taking notes to take in our little joke.

“What about the cake? Do you know where you’re getting that?” My mom is making weighing motions with her hands.

“Jack and I are going to make it.”

Gasps fill my room. Good grief, people, I didn’t just say I was going to wear a clown costume instead of a wedding dress, though I could see my mom being somewhat excited about it.

“Lauren.” Megan is shaking her head.

“Listen, we’ve already decided so please don’t anyone say anything about doubts. If the cake doesn’t taste great then I apologize ahead of time. Okay?”

“Now, dear, you know if you make the cake it will be delicious, especially if you make it with Jack, given he is a pie prize winner.” My grandmother brushes some hair behind her ear.

“I am too…” I mutter. Why doesn’t anyone take second place into consideration when discussing winners? I get I didn’t win the whole thing but I did get a ribbon. That should count for something.

“Now are you doing a dinner, dear?” My grandmother is peering in close to the camera again.

“Yes, it will be catered though.”

“Okay that’s a wrap for today. Let’s reconvene at the end of the week. I’ll send out tasks for everyone.” Megan clears her throat and everyone says their goodbyes. I guess it is better to have a talk vs. a bunch of emails and things like that.

I head to the living room and notice Jack is back with his shoes. His Sunday shoes routine. I pop my neck from side to side. He brings out all seven pairs of his shoes on Sunday night and shines them in the living room. Granted he hasn’t made a stain yet on my couch, table, or rug, but I can almost see it happening. I made a subtle hint before about how much more comfortable he would be doing it in the garage standing by the workbench and he laughed it off.

“Hey, shining your shoes?”

“Yes, I can shine yours too. Bring them out.”

I laugh. “Mine are good.”

“Lauren, don’t be shy. I can make those heels shinier than when you first bought them.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“I don’t want to blind people.” I give his shoulder a little shove.

He grabs my hand. “I think it’s too late for that.” Jack’s arms are around my waist and I’m in his lap with one swoop. And the shoe polish is on my gray sofa.

“There, see, I knew it.” I stand back up and rush to the kitchen for a cloth.

“You knew what? That I would whisk you off your feet? Because that’s been happening since day one, so if it took you until today to figure out…well, Lauren, you’ve got some catching up to do.” Jack lets out a chortle of a laugh.

“I have some sponging to catch up on. Look at this stain. The black is never going to come out of my couch. I wish you w—”

Jack is digging in his shoe box and pulls out some cream and a different brush. “Ahem.” He picks up my hand and moves it away from the stain and within seconds the couch looks normal.

I nod my head. Okay, he cleaned the stain great. But maybe a different spot for his shoes is in order.

Jack raises an eyebrow at me like he is waiting for me to respond.

I cock my head and bat my eyelashes at him.

“I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

“Lauren, don’t make me—”

“What Jack? Don’t make you what?”

His eyes spark and flicker like I’ve lit a flame inside him. I begin slowly backing up. Slowly towards the bedroom. “Come here.”

“I don’t think so.” I shake my head and take more steps backward.

“Lauren, if you want to run that’s fine but you know I’ll catch you.”

“Then catch me, Jack.” I scream as I rush into the back of the house. And Jack’s arms are wrapped around me and his mouth is on my neck.

“I’m never going to let you go.” He breathes into my neck and trails kisses down my collar.

My swoon factor is off the charts. Jack is pulling me under and I’m going to go. He’s got my oxygen and I know he won’t release my air. He’s always covering me. Making sure I’m safe. And I am with Jack. I’m more than safe. I’m more than satisfied. I’ve exceeded all needs. Jack has brought it and I don’t want him to leave it. This is like Thor’s hammer. He is the only one who can hold up our relationship. His strength is unsurpassed. And somehow I wonder about my own. Am I holding my own in this relationship?

Chapter Ten

It’s a new workweek and I’m testing out the shadowing technique. Even though this was Trent’s idea, or what I was told was his idea, I’m still going to give it a try. I’m sitting with Marcus first. So far his calls have been fairly standard.

“All right, that sounds great. Make sure and give me a call when you get that return.” Marcus clicks the end button and glances at me.

“The entire call was great, except for the last part. You don’t want to ask the client to call you. Set an appointment for you to call them. This works in two ways. One, as a reminder for both of you and two, you have a calendared sales meeting in place. This is key.”

“Cool, I’ll do that going forward.” I stand up and head back to my office. I’ve still got to pass out several more accounts from the queue to my team. I’m thinking about assigning each person a gold mining hour. I scan the queue and find some real possible accounts and tag each of my team with them. Let’s do this.

***

It’s twenty past five. I can add an extra thirty minutes to my hunt in the morning. I’m exhausted now. I’m ready to fall into Jack’s arms.

My trip home is quick and easy. Relaxation, here I come. I pass through the vacant living room and into my bedroom. Jack is lying on the bed and he is completely naked. In his lap is a bowl, which I can only imagine contains a tasty treat.

“Wow,” falls from my lips. Jack had promised a frosting tasting event earlier but after the whole scene with Trent it didn’t happen. Our minds had pushed past the idea of food play and zipped through foreplay on the stairs of my townhouse and landed straight in bed.

“I’m really hungry, so please disrobe quickly,” Jack says with a growl. His voice is full of hunger and I want to give into it.

“Is this about the empty refrigerator?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“We’ll tend to the grocery shopping afterwards. Clothes.” He nods at me.

“I guess if you insist.” I take off my skirt and slide off my blouse.

Jack’s eyes are flickering at me like he wants to devour me. I lie down on the bed next to him and he takes off the remaining items on my body and begins to paint with a spatula. It’s almost like putting on a mud masque but this is tasty and Jack is going to be the one licking it off me.