Testing Recipes for Disaster (Emberwood #2)

Chapter 42- Jeremy

I n the end, the cake looked even better than the inspiration photos we’d been over. And it wasn’t particularly complex in terms of decorating because Sam wanted live florals on the cake and not fondant or buttercream embellishments. I’d built it up in my head to be something it was not, and it reminded me why I went to school for this in the first place. It was fun. And baking for people made me feel like I was taking care of them in some way, like any comfort food would, I guessed.

As promised, Lauren had sat at her counter looking pretty and painting her nails while I worked, but she disappeared into her room after she realized I was in my own world.

I was finishing up when she re-emerged, and she let out a genuine gasp.

“Are you for real ? Jer, this could be on the cover of a magazine. Like, send it to Better Homes & Gardens or something. Please. Better yet, send a picture to your mom. I think she’ll want to see it.”

She was tentative when she mentioned my mom, but it was a good suggestion. I’d been working on keeping my promise to let Laur in , which meant sharing some difficult things about my relationship with my parents. She continued to circle the cake from a safe distance, like she was afraid to breathe on it.

“Yeah? I think you’re right. It looks good.”

“Good is putting it mildly, babe.”

“I hope you understand that we have to clear out your fridge and take out at least one of the shelves so this can fit in there with its box.

“You know there’s only takeout in there anyway. Throw it out. I will happily forego food in my fridge to look at this when I open it.”

“You think they’re ready to do this tomorrow?”

“I think it’s been a long time coming, yeah. It’s going to be perfect.”

“I think you’re going to be perfect,” I murmured, wrapping my arms around her.

“Obviously.”

IF ANYONE HAD EVER asked me if I thought I could rock a purple suit, the answer would have been a firm no. But I had to admit, the color did something for me. Jesse was in a dark blue suit and a purple tie, and we were posing for photos before the ceremony. At first, it felt stiff, like we were having senior photos done, but eventually, we leaned into it.

“I don’t know that I’ve properly thanked you for everything the past couple of months, and really the past couple of years, if we’re honest. I know you were still trying to get your life back on track when I crash-landed back in Emberwood and expected you to help carry me through it. But you did it anyway. And now I’m here.”

We were in a spare room in Zinnia’s house that was acting as a dressing room for the time being.

“I think you’re giving me more credit than I deserve. I mostly just went drinking with you and kicked your ass at pool. But I’m happy you’re here now, too.”

“Well, I can’t bake. But if you end up marrying my sister, I promise I’ll be helpful in some form or fashion. I’ll build you something. I’ve got a whole collection of power tools now.”

“You’re well on your way to being a suburban dad, then.”

“That’s not quite the insult it would have been in the past,” he said, laughing.

A knock sounded at the door, and Jesse’s mom let us know it was time to get going.

“Let’s go get you married, then.”

The look on his face was hard to describe, but mostly it read as love. I wondered if I had the same look on my face when I looked at Laur and she didn’t know it.

When I met her at the edge of the garden path to walk down the aisle to our places, she took my breath away. I knew she wasn’t the bride, but I couldn’t imagine anyone looking more beautiful. She was in a long, deep purple gown that matched my tie, and her red hair was swept up into an artful twist on top of her head. I was pretty sure that when the wedding photos were developed of this moment, I’d be able to confirm the same look on my face that Jesse had on his.

“WE DID IT, YOU KNOW ,” she said, sitting down next to me at the head table after photos and talking to what seemed like every single guest.

“What, exactly, did we do?”

“All the things we were supposed to. Along with a bunch of things we weren’t supposed to. Because us? Together? Was not a thing that was supposed to happen. If it wasn’t her wedding day, I might accuse Sam of setting up the whole rushed-wedding-timeline based on our joint astrological birth charts.”

“I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Right?! She’s sneaky.”

“Astrologically orchestrated or not, I’m glad we’re here, Laur.”

She sighed heavily and leaned into me. “I’m happy, too. Now, can we get food?”

“Stay here. I will bring you sustenance.”

I left her and went to fill up plates at the caterer’s station. Even though most of the guests had already been through, it all looked phenomenal.

“Hey, you’re the baker, right?”

“What’s that?” I asked, not sure she was talking to me at first.

“You made the wedding cake?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s the first one I’ve done professionally, but yes.”

“You could have fooled me,” she said, surprised. “Listen, I’m the owner of the catering company, and I normally wouldn’t accost a guest and beg them to work for me, but are you looking for more work?”

“Oh! Yes, actually. I finished school back in June, and I’ve been trying to shift from my day job into doing, well, this.”

“Well, I have more work than I know what to do with right now, and I don’t currently offer clients a dessert package because I don’t have a pastry chef on staff. But if you want to send me your portfolio and what you’re hoping to do, we can chat next week.”

She tried to hand me her card, but I was still awkwardly balancing two plates, so she stuck it into my suit jacket pocket instead.

“I’m Jeremy, by the way,” I offered, unable to shake her hand.

“Elaine. Enjoy the rest of the party.”

There’s no way that just happened.

I made my way back to Lauren, happy I was going to be able to share good job-related news with her this time.

Don’t threaten anyone tonight, and you should be good .