Page 51 of Fauxmance

Mom forced a laugh in an attempt to lighten the situation. "Jasmine, don't be silly. That's not the only reason."

"You're right, Mom. It's not the only one, but it's the most important," Jasmine retorted. "It's the best part. Cake makes a wedding memorable. People come for the cake."

Cole tried to put his arm around Jas, but she kept pacing and wringing her hands.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered. "Everyone's starving."

I rolled my eyes as I rooted around in my bag. "No one's starving. There's still plenty of food."

"Yes—but not cake."

Oh my goodness, my sister was about to have a meltdown if we didn't solve this issue quickly. If I could just find—

"Does anyone have a knife?" she shouted, loud enough that the people around us turned. Their alarmed stares went right to Jas, and I amended my previous thought. We were well into meltdown mode. I plunged my hand deeper into my bag. "A sword? Light saber?Something?"

"I actually love that you threw light saber in there," I said.

"Me, too," Cole said, looking at my sister like she'd hung the moon. "My wife is the best."

Jasmine's eyes softened for a moment.

"Hey," Hayden said, "I'd be happy to run to the store if it'll help."

"That won't be necessary," I said. "But thanks for the offer."

Right then, my hand closed around a cool handle, and I found what I'd been searching for.

"Aha!" I crowed, holding up the knife I'd bought special for this occasion. It glinted in the lights like the beacon of hope that it was. "Crisis averted. Your dessert is served, my lady."

Jasmine took the proffered knife and inspected it. "This has a pink handle."

"Yes, it does," I said.

"And…it's engraved with our names.Jasmine & Cole Forever."

"Um hm, I got it as one of your gifts, but I put it in my bag just in case of an emergency."

My sister pulled me into a tight hug. "Magnolia, I love you!"

"Then why are you suffocating me?" I wheezed, taking a deep breath once she released her grip. "Oh, and I love you, too."

She smiled. "You are without a doubt the best MOH ever."

That made me grin.

Hayden leaned closer to Cole and said, "I think my girlfriend is the best."

"Well, she does carry knives in her bag," Cole said.

"Just the one," I replied.

"It would be creepy if it wasn't so badass," Hayden put in, and I felt my cheeks warm. "But it is," he said. "Totally badass."

As Jasmine and Cole cut the cake, I got more used to Hayden's presence. It was obvious despite the jokes he was stuck in his head. If I had to guess, I'd say the conversation with his grandma was front and center. I knew he had a lot going on, so I didn't take any offense to his somewhat distracted demeanor.

It gave me more time to focus on being maid of honor.

When it came time for the speeches, the microphone wasn't working. I pulled out my bag again, grabbed the double A batteries, popped those suckers in, and we were back in business. Mom couldn't get through her speech without crying, and Cole's father wasn't much better. I managed to hold it together until the end when Jas came up and gave me a fierce hug. She was a puddle by the time we were done. I helped her freshen up in the bathroom—not with the makeup; she had to handle that part. But I'd remembered the Kleenex, wipes,cleanserand moisturizer. She looked picture-perfect as we went back to the party.

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