Page 38 of Holiday Wedding
“The things I learn from you.” He shakes his head and smiles, a megawatt grin. The one he’s paid big bucks for, but I get it free.
“You’re going to be the best mom, Gwen. I can’t wait to see that.” Mercurial, his emotions shift to something more serious. “There was a time I didn’t think I’d be fit to be a father.”
“You aren’t that person anymore,” I remind him gently. “Besides, it won’t be for a while. I’ve got this last year of residency left. You have two years on your contract at the theater. We’re too busy for kids right now. Let’s get a dog and practice on it. It can be our furry baby. Less likely to need therapy when it’s grown from all the mistakes we’re sure to make.”
Caleb nods. “I want to spend time with just you anyway. Not looking forward to sharing you quite yet.”
As usual, we’re on the same page.
Caleb looks out the window, at the softly falling snow. “If you had to choose between living in an eternal winter or an eternal summer, which would it be?”
My response comes quickly. “I’d choose whichever one you were in, because the weather means nothing to me as long as we’re together.”
Now I get the special smile, small and tender, that he keeps only for me. Caleb says, “That’s the right answer.”
13
Sunday,December 15
9 days until the wedding
Jenny
You have to go cake tasting,” Caleb says. It’s late afternoon. He’s got Dean and me lined up, sitting next to each other on the sofa. It was hard to miss how Dean scooted away from me when I first sat down. He hasn’t said a word to me since our lunch with Eddie, and I haven’t spoken to him either. It’s the silent treatment, but I’m not sure which of us started it.
Caleb paces in front of us with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Cake tasting?” Dean repeats, sounding horrified, like he must have heard it wrong the first time.
“Cake tasting!” I repeat, clapping my hands, thrilled at the thought.
“That’s right,” says Caleb. “It’s that new bakery, the one opened by the guy who won the Great British Baking Show. What’s his name?”
I clasp my cheeks with both palms. “You don’t mean Atlas Poilane? The winner of the ninth season? Magnifique Bakery?” My eyes widen in awe. “I had a cupcake from there, and it was like a party in my mouth. So good!”
“Gwen said the same thing,” Caleb exclaims, stopping in front of me.
“Well, duh, because we got those cupcakes together.” I look between the two men. “We had to wait in line for over an hour to buy a single $10 cupcake. It was insane.”
“Ten dollars?” Dean’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Totally worth it,” I assure him. “It was almost as good as Alvina’s cookies.”
Now, even Dean appears impressed.
“I want to surprise Gwen with their wedding cake, but it’s so popular I would be recognized for sure and if I used my real name to book the appointment, I’m worried someone working there would tip off the press. Then everyone would know we’re getting married soon.” Caleb rips his fingers through his hair. “So I used a fake name. Janice and her husband were supposed to go, but they just called and they’re both sick. There’s no way I can reschedule this close to the wedding.”
“No problem,” I’m quick to say, raising my hand. “I volunteer as tribute. I can go. It’ll be a breeze to pick since I know what Gwen likes.”
“I wish it were that easy.” Caleb’s tugging on his hair again. “They only offer the appointment to couples. The bakery said they had too many times when the bride or groom came to the tasting alone and put in an order only to find that their partner disagreed with their choice once the cake was delivered. That’s why they have this couples only policy. Youbothhave to go.”
“Oh.” I glance sideways at Dean. This is awkward.
“It’s fine,” says Dean with a businesslike nod.
Caleb’s stopped moving. He stands before us, reminding me of a school principal, ready to lecture errant children. “I don’t think you heard me. I said they only do tastings forcouples.”
Dean finally looks my way. We share a confused glance, and then it hits me. “Oh! You want us to pretendwe’regetting married?”
