Page 48 of Cut The Cake

Though, after last night, he was pretty sure Jenny and he would both be better off if he stayed away from her. Very far away. There was only one problem with that plan—he’d tried it and failed. He could no more keep Jenny at arm’s length than he could serve a naked cake at her wedding.

Hair the color of wheat bleached by the sun tilted at an angle as Cheri studied him through narrowed eyes. “You’re not falling for this girl, are you, Nick?”

Too late. He already had. But that was information he’d carry with him to the grave. “Who, me?” Struggling for an innocent air, he held out his hands. “Not a chance.”

“Good to know. ’Cause if the job ever gets to be too much, let someone know, okay? No one wants to see you get hurt.”

He was pretty sure it was also too late to avoid that. Nevertheless, he gave his head a firm shake. Not only would his own moral compass prevent him from crossing a line with a bride-to-be, he had to think about his town. There was too much at stake for him to let his feelings for Jenny interfere with her wedding. And with that, he steered the conversation into safer waters. “Do you have this dress she’s interested in?”

Cheri straightened marginally. “I do. The funny thing is, someone requested that dress for her a couple of days ago, but you said she only found out about it last night. That’s odd.”

“The fiancé, probably.” Nick’s hand fisted. “I’ve never met the guy, but the more I hear about him, the more unbelievable he sounds.” What did Jenny see in him?

“No, it was a woman. I took the call myself.”

“Huh.” Was this Bob character so busy that he couldn’t even make a phone call? His opinion of Jenny’s fiancé sank another notch. Not that it mattered. Cheri had the dress. That was the important thing.

A knowing look warmed Cheri’s expression. “It, along with a few hand-picked selections, are in the back. I find my clients are usually happier with their final choice when I give them several gowns to choose from.”

Nick nodded. Cheri’s reasoning had a certain logic. Wasn’t that why he filled the bakery’s display case with different kinds of cookies? Although his customers invariably chose the same favorites over and over, they liked having options.

It was too bad love didn’t work like that. If it did, he’d confess his feelings for Jenny and give her another option. Then, maybe she’d choose him instead of Bob.

Careful now.

That sounded an awful lot like he’d walked right up to that line everyone talked about and was thinking about crossing it. Wasn’t that something he’d just sworn he’d never do?

Karolyn could keep her tight-fitting gowns with their plunging necklines and revealing backs, Jenny thought as she studied the white dress on display in one of the windows facing Boutonniere Drive. Embroidered flowers dotted the skirt’s billowing layers. More decorative stitching climbed from the narrow waist to the rounded neck and onto the shoulders of the sleeveless bodice. She sighed. When it came time to choose her own wedding dress, she wanted one like the one in the window, one that made her feel like Cinderella going to the ball.

That was, if she ever found her Prince Charming. She’d thought Nick was the one last night in the bakery. For one split second, she’d dreamed of how he’d react when she told him the real reason she’d come to town. She’d imagined seeing the knowing little smile he often wore spread across his face. How he’d draw her into his arms and tell her he understood. Next, they’d confess their love for each other. She’d even thought about the life they’d build together right here in Heart’s Landing. She’d start her own business. He’d continue making the best cakes for miles around. They’d buy a quaint little cottage on the bluff above the ocean, raise a family, and spend their lives loving one another.

But then, her dreams had come crashing down. Nick wasn’t her Prince Charming. He never would be.

She should never have hugged him like she had. In her excitement about Kay’s dress, she’d reacted without thinking. Once she was in Nick’s arms, she’d wanted nothing more than to have him hold her and pull her closer.

But he hadn’t. Instead, he’d made it clear that he wasn’t looking for that kind of relationship. At least, not with her. His reaction had dashed any hope of ever sharing more than a casual friendship with the man she’d fallen in love with.

She still didn’t know quite what had happened afterward. Her heart aching, tears blurring her vision, she must have walked to the B&B and climbed the stairs to her room. There, she’d tossed and turned all night. This morning, she’d nearly called the man who’d broken her heart, nearly told him that she no longer needed his help this morning.

But she hadn’t. She was stronger than that. She had to admit Nick had taught her that lesson. He’d urged her to trust her instincts, to believe in herself. So, determined to make it through this final appointment without breaking down, she squared her shoulders and dotted concealer over the dark circles under her eyes. She wouldn’t let Nick see how badly he’d hurt her. After today, she’d never have to see him again.

Well, not until the wedding. Not that he’d give her a second glance once the truth came out. By then, the entire town would be swept up in the thrill of having Karolyn and Chad in their midst. With not one but two celebrities to fawn over, everyone would forget about her.

Nick included.

She gave the gown in the display window a final, wistful glance, grasped the brass handle on the door, and let herself into Dress For A Day. Strategically placed in out-of-the-way spots, sprays of cream-colored flowers sat in crystal vases atop tall stands. Their smell perfumed the air. The moment she stepped onto the runner of soft burgundy that led from the entryway to a viewing area where couches and chairs had been artfully arranged around floor-to-ceiling mirrors, she understood why brides up and down the East Coast raved about the salon. Soothing ecru walls highlighted the dresses that hung from wooden hangers in deep-set alcoves lit by recessed lighting. No matter which direction she faced, bridal gowns beckoned her to come closer, to touch, to feel.

She lingered at the entryway, taking it all in while her eyes adjusted from the bright glare of sunshine outside to the low lighting. She’d barely had time to tuck her sunglasses into their case when she spotted Nick striding toward her. The diminutive woman at his side matched him step for step.

Nick.

She eyed the man who insisted on being her friend and nothing but her friend. Stiffening, she erected barriers around her heart to guard against the empty apologies he’d probably offer for the way things had ended between them last night.

“Good morning, Jenny.” Looking remarkably well-rested, his face crinkled into a smile.

She arched one eyebrow. Apparently, they weren’t going to pick up their conversation where it had left off. So be it. She hadn’t slept a wink, but if he wanted to pretend nothing had happened between them, that was fine with her. And it would stay fine, no matter how much her pulse jumped at the sight of him. She modulated her tone. “Morning, Nick.”

Nearing, he handled the introductions with the cheery nonchalance of a casual acquaintance. “Cheri, this is Jenny Longley. Jenny, Cheri Clark, the owner.”