Page 116 of The Sweetest Devotion

“Yeah,” I said bitterly. “We should get on that.”

We finished most of our salad and then we only had to walk further up Townsend Boulevard to the bakery. Right away I felt my lunch threatening to come back up as I spotted theclosed for special partysign on the front door.

“Kennedy?”

A young voice reached my ear and turned me around to see a couple of teenage girls approaching me. By the Guess bags in their hands I could see they were on a shopping venture.

One girl with lavender box braids had her mouth open, exposing teeth covered in braces.

Her friend with Bantu knots managed to hold her composure as she shyly waved at me.

“Can I have a picture?” the one with the braids asked. “I follow you on Instagram. You’re so pretty. Oh my God.”

While I didn’t think I was worthy of “fans,” I never turned down a photo. When I’d done a brand deal with an up-and-coming urban cosmetics line, it had sold out in hours thanks to my loyal following. People were nice enough to support me, and the least I could do was smile for a camera to make someone’s day.

My mother played photographer as I stood in between the two girls and pasted on a fake smile that said I was the luckiest girl in the world.

They bought it.

Only when they were long down the sidewalk did I let my mask slip and my true misery take over.

“Your father made sure we had the shop to ourselves as you picked out the flavor you wanted,” my mother clued me in as we approached the front door to Piece of Cake!

Smart.

Going out with Cain was a nightmare when it came to the media. Thank God I didn’t see any cameramen.

We entered the shop and right away the owner, Michele, greeted us with a warm smile.

“Hello! Party for Nichols, right?” Her cheery face made me feel terrible for my mood.

She’d made a thing of this event. On a series of tables were platters of cake wedges. Craning my neck, I could see cards placed before each plate to illustrate the flavor. There were colorful flowers arranged and set up, as well as a sign readingWelcome, Kennedy & Cain!

I didn’t think I could eat a bite.

Behind us, the shop’s door opened and in walked myfiancé. More, he held the door open and my father was soon wheeling himself in on an electric wheelchair.

Daddy.

This was the first time I’d seen him outside of the house since walking became a challenge for him.

Immediately I rushed over to him at the same time my mother did.

“What are you doing?” I demanded to know as I shooed Cain away.

My father sat dressed in a fine suit, happy to see me and my mother. He used the chair’s controller to wheel himself more into the shop. The grin on his face was such a rarity, I thought I’d cry.

“I was at the office. Wanted to see how things are going with the blueprints. Wanted to feel useful. Alive,” my father stated simply. He turned the chair and eyed Cain. “And then I mentioned the cake tasting to Cain, and he insisted we come. Said I can’t dedicate my life to hotels, not when an important moment is happening for my daughter.”

My mother looked on at Cain, glassy eyed. He remained neutral as he stood back by the entrance. Outside, beyond him, I could see Beans and Vino keeping look out.

Thank you, my mother mouthed to Cain.

He tipped his head toward her and kept quiet. We’d been trying to get my father to leave his bed for months, and he seemed content on staying there. As much as I hated Cain, I was grateful for him in that moment.

“So, who’s ready to eat some cake?” my father asked jubilantly.

My mother patted her middle. “None for me, I’m watching my figure.”

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