Page 11 of Pieces of Us
He watches for my reaction. “You don’t like this one as much.”
“It’s good. It’s just not the blackberry.”
We grab the last two forks to try the strawberry cake. This time, Linc goes back for a second bite.
“You like that one, don’t you?” I point at the plate.
He nods his head as he pulls the fork from his lips. After he swallows, he says, “Yeah, it tastes like summer to me.”
“So, blackberry and strawberry are on the short list?”
“We can just hold on to the blackberry. I trust your taste.”
“This is a group project, Linc. Your opinion matters, too.”
“All I know is you moaned when you tasted the blackberry and then didn’t go back for seconds on the other two. We’re keeping the blackberry.”
“How embarrassing is it that you heard me moan over cake?” I look down at the napkin in my lap as I feel heat rise in my cheeks.
He turns toward me in his chair. “I’ve only heard you make that noise one other time. Believe me, Mel, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about that moan.”
My eyes dart around his face, and the heat I had felt in my cheeks a moment ago turns into an inferno. All I can manage is a strained “okay,” then I look straight ahead and take a sip of my water. Where is this woman with the next tray of cakes?
She finally returns to clear away everything but the plate of blackberry, then brings us the next round. This time it’s black forest, lemon raspberry, and apple spice. Linc and I work our way through the options, both agreeing to hold on to the lemon raspberry.
After Janet clears the last few dishes, Linc and I stare at the two pieces of cake on the table.
“Lemon is really different from devil’s food cake,” Linc observes, and I can’t say he’s wrong.
“Oooo!” Linc startles in his chair at my exclamation. “I remember Audrey talking about the first night she and Jax were together in Jamaica. She had this unforgettable devil’s food cake for dessert. This could be like a throwback to their first date.”
“Well, that does it. Blackberry blackout it is.”
“I feel a bit of relief that our choice might mean something. I’m glad I remembered that.”
“I just hope I’m sitting next to you at the wedding when it’s time for cake.”
I slap his arm with my napkin. “You just want to hear me moan again.”
He leans back in his chair. “You bet I do.”
Chapter Four
Linc
There are a few days a year that I really love working with the marketing team for the Bruins. Today is one of those days. We have a local mini-mite team coming to the arena for their Saturday morning practice, and the kids don’t know it yet, but Bruins players will be joining them. We do this once a year, and I love seeing the look on their faces when the guys that they look up to come out on the ice to help with drills.
I’m standing by the boards with the rest of the marketing team when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I check it and see a text from Melonie, letting me know she needs to give me information for the guy’s tuxes. We haven’t spoken since the cake testing a couple of weeks ago. I thought we had a good time that afternoon; it felt more relaxed and felt like progress between us.But with radio silence from her since, I know she’s still avoiding me. Not gonna lie, I don’t like it.
I excuse myself for a moment to call Melonie. Maybe I don’t feel like texting back and forth. Maybe I just want to hear her voice.
She picks up on the third ring. “Hi, Linc.”
“Hey, Mel. How are you?”
“I’m good. Audrey gave me fabric swatches for the tuxes. When can you meet up so I can give them to you?”
“What are you doing right now?”
