Page 56 of Hers to Marry
Chapter 16
Kat looked at the clock over the kitchen door and groaned. She had an hour to get the cakes in the oven, out, and iced and then get across town to the flower shop to meet Drew.
She’d been lucky to find the one flower shop in the city that was desperate enough for business to do a wedding at the last minute. They had several bouquet options to choose from, and the shop used local contacts for their fresh flowers. Since Parker wasn’t the type for a lot of frilly, girly things, having a few table centerpieces and a bouquet would be all she needed.
Kat looked down at the cake batter. She had accidentally added an ingredient that was in a different recipe she had made hours before, and now she’d have to start over. But there wasn’t any time. She had to go on.
“I know you’re really busy,” Susie said after coming through the door, “and that you really don’t put a lot of effort in marketing yourself—which is odd, since you want to start your own business—so I took the liberty of showcasing some of your work to a well-known chef, and he’s coming into town for a quick visit tomorrow.”
Kat dropped her stirrer into the bowl. “What?” She snatched the paper Susie held out for her to see. “LeBleu? Are you serious!”
“Very serious.”
LeBleu!One of the premier chefs, well-known in Europe and someone who had his own show in America. Anyone serious about baking knew the name. “He’s…he’s…”
“Amazing, fabulous, someone who is going to love your recipes. Look. I reached out to him on Instagram with a photo of one of your new cakes that you’re making for Drew and Parker. He thought it sounded incredible and wants to try it. He’ll be here on business, and I want you to whip up some of your best ideas and a few of your new ones. Show him how creative you are.” She shrugged. “You never know. It could lead to your own television show.”
Kat stood with her mouth open. Having LeBleu try one of her desserts would be a dream come true. Wowing him would blow her mind. Anything beyond that wouldliterallybe icing on the cake. Her eyes watered, and she threw her arms around Susie’s shoulders. “Thank you!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You’re covered in flour!” Susie laughed and hugged her back.
Kat sniffed and wiped her eyes, knowingly smearing white flour on her cheek.
“Katrina, what on earth is the matter? You know you can do this.”
She nodded. “I know. I really needed something to distract me, and this is perfect.”
“Ah, Drew’s kiss.”
Kat closed her eyes and groaned.
Susie chuckled. “You should totally steal him away. I hope you used some tongue and rocked his world.”
“Susie!”
“Hey, your mom is right. Don’t live with regrets. Go get your Steven. Don’t let some other girl marry your future husband. What sense does that make?”
“Plenty if he doesn’t want to marry me.”
Susie snorted. “Kiss him right, and he’ll want to do whatever you tell him.” She wagged her brows.
Kat laughed. “I’m seeing him today to get flowers for the wedding. Should be a quick trip, but I screwed up this recipe. If I restart now, I’m going to be late.”
“Just throw it in the oven. People will eat whatever you make, you know that. We’ll go over the flavors you want to showcase to LeBleu when you get back.”
Kat did what she was told and was across town and running into the flower shop right on the dot of the appointment time.
“Running late again?” Drew said with a wink.
“Almost,” Kat said, out of breath.
“No worries. So, flowers. What do we need?” He turned, his gaze scanning the shop.
She was grateful he got right down to business. They hadn’t seen each other since the kiss, and she worried this would be awkward. She followed his easy example.
“It’s a simple wedding. I’m thinking a few centerpieces, and then we’ll use some vases from the hotel. And we’ll need the bouquets.”
“Great. Doesn’t the hotel have centerpieces?”
