Page 60 of Cut The Cake

Could he forgive her?

He had to, didn’t he? In going along with her cousin’s plan, she’d been supporting her family. He couldn’t hold that against her.

Did he love her still?

Yes.

Despite everything else, he knew the real Jenny. The feisty brunette who’d snapped at him when they’d collided outside the bakery—that was the woman he’d fallen in love with. The sad and broken woman he’d comforted on the porch of the bed-and-breakfast—that was the woman he wanted to protect for the rest of his life. The carefree visitor who’d walked the beach beside him, who’d skipped shells across a tidal pool with him—that was the girl who’d stolen his heart. If it were up to him, they’d always be together.

But would she leave him?

She might. As angry as she was with her cousin right this minute—and rightfully so—he had no doubt the two of them would patch things up eventually. Karolyn Karter, despite her faults, was family. And if he knew one thing about Jenny, it was that family trumped everything else.

The question was, was there room in her heart for a new family?

There was only one way to find out.

Jenny stood stock-still, unable to move, unable to breathe, while Nick slowly trudged down the hall, turned the corner, and disappeared. She really couldn’t blame him for leaving. Though he’d tried to hide it, she’d seen the shockwaves roll across his face when he’d learned she’d been lying—to him, to everyone—all this time. He’d never forgive her. That night at the bakery, she’d thought she couldn’t feel any worse when he rejected her. She’d been wrong. Seeing how disappointment in her had rounded his shoulders and weighed him down—especially now that she’d begun to think they might be friends again—that hurt worse.

A lot worse.

But the sooner she accepted that she’d blown her only chance at happiness with the man she loved, the sooner she could move on with what was left of her life.

And to do that, she had to face the music.

People were waiting for her. Friends she’d wanted to make her neighbors. They’d probably never want to see her again after tonight, but they deserved to hear the truth. From her. Not thirdhand from some reporter who’d stumbled over a story. Because, if there was one thing she’d learned in the years she’d spent in L.A., it was that secrets didn’t stay secrets very long. This ruse of Karolyn’s would come to light. It might not happen tonight or even next week, but some reporter somewhere would eventually figure out she’d been planning a Heart’s Landing wedding. A wedding that never took place. When that happened, Jenny didn’t want the news to hurt anyone in the town that went out of its way to give every bride the wedding of their dreams.

Even if everyone in the conference room turned their backs on her like Nick had.

She stood where she was for a few minutes while she drew courage and strength around her like a cloak. When she thought she was ready—when her sobs had died to soft hiccups—she blotted her eyes and blew her nose a final time. Then, her head held high despite her aching heart, she forced herself to take the longest walk of her life.

A low buzz of conversation died the moment she stepped across the threshold. She squared her shoulders. “Sorry for running out like that.” Now that she’d decided to do this, she needed to get it over with. She crossed swiftly to the front of the room where she cut the power to the TV. Turning, she faced the people she’d hoped to work and live beside for the rest of her life.

“I have a confession to make. First, though, I need to tell you how grateful I am for all you’ve done for me these past few weeks. I know I haven’t been the easiest”—knowing it would be the last time she’d ever have to say it, she stumbled over the next word—“bride you’ve ever dealt with.”

“We’ve had worse,” Alexis or Ashley piped.

“No, we haven’t,” her counterpart corrected.

Jenny let a spate of laughter die down before she continued. “I’ve asked a lot of you, and you’ve delivered one hundred percent. More than that, you’ve been kind to me when I didn’t deserve it. You’ve helped me when you didn’t have to.” She gestured toward the reception hall and the waiting gift bags. “You’ve treated me like a friend. I’d hoped we’d continue to be friends—and possibly neighbors.” Her gaze flitted about the room, landing on the faces of the people who’d come to mean so much to her in such a short amount of time. Mildred. The twins. Alicia. Marybeth. Cheri.

“But that’s probably not going to happen.” She held up a hand, silencing the few scattered objections. “There’s something you don’t know. Something I need to tell you.” She paused. This was the hardest speech she’d ever given. Not so much because of what she had to say, but because once she did, she’d be surprised if anyone in the room ever spoke to her again. She forged forward. “I—uh, I’m not engaged to Bob.” She aimed a wan smile at Marybeth. “Or Tom, either.”

Shock electrified the room. On its heels, dismay spread like a puddle of dark molasses.

Alicia spoke for the others when she asked, “You mean, you two called off the wedding?”

“No, I—” She stopped, her attention drawn to the door that whispered open.

“Hold on to that thought for a minute, will you?” Carrying a bouquet of red roses, the man she least expected stepped inside.

Jenny shook her head. She had to be seeing things. “Nick?”

“Jenny.” He crossed the room, coming to a halt a step or two away from her. “I’m not sure what you’ve told these good people, but I have something to say before you say another word.”

Her gaze landed on the flowers Nick held. Roses, her favorite. Of course, Nick knew that, but why would he bring them here? To her? Her heart in her throat, she nodded.

Nick shifted closer. His gaze captured hers. “Jenny, I’ve loved you from the moment we collided outside my bakery. From that instant, I’ve known we were meant to be together. The only thing was, I thought you were engaged to someone else. Now that I know you’re free, there’s a question I need to ask you.”

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