Page 16 of Promise Yule Be Mine (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

16

NOVA

I couldn't believe I'd done that.

Not that it was my fault I’d slipped. Or that he’d caught me. But I couldn't help but feel it was my fault he’d almost kissed me. Because I’d almost kissed him too.

It was like a scene out of a movie or something. The accident. The instinct. The catch. The proximity. And here I thought these things didn't happen in real life, but they did.

With unavailable men.

Agh. Why is my life like this?

For the rest of the way back to Christmas Falls I kept to myself, both my eyes and lips. And my hands. Kept them busy trying to find alternatives for the wedding cake. If push came to shove I could always bake something myself, although I really really sucked at decorating. Maybe they wouldn't mind a "rustic" type of cake?

Kody dropped me off at Jenna's, barely able to look at me and I escaped into my friend's apartment with my tail between my legs.

Did he feel as guilty about what had almost happened like I did? Or was he embarrassed for me?

I took the rest of the day to make calls, find a solution and get Kody Campbell completely out of my mind. I succeeded in exactly zero of my endeavors.

Which was how I'd ended up with a bottle of wine on one hand and a glass in the other by seven. My mind was a mess. This whole situation was a mess. And Jenna was none the wiser.

A rattle at the door startled me out of my self-induced wallowing session and I sat up, ready to launch either bottle or glass at whoever was intruding.

But then, Jenna peeked in, still in uniform and at least one of my concerns was eased. Which left me with all the rest.

"Jen," I put everything down and walked up to her to give her a hug. "What are you doing here?"

Jenna laughed. "What am I doing at my home? Hm…that's a thinker."

I shoved her shoulder gently. "You know what I mean."

"I managed to get a flight home finally. I am fucking exhausted though! I haven't worked this hard in my life."

Her gaze landed on the bottle and glass of wine, and her eyes lit up.

"That's exactly what I need. It's as if you read my mind."

She abandoned her carry-on in the middle of the room and grabbed the glass to take a generous gulp. "Are you drinking on your own or are you waiting for someone?" She said as soon as she was done. The red of the wine seemed to move to her cheeks.

"‘Waiting for someone’? Who could I possibly be waiting for?" I rolled my eyes and ignored the feeling in my gut that turned into knots at the thought of Kody being here, just like when we’d done the invitations.

"I don't know. Maybe you met someone ." She pursed her lips and studied my face as if she had the ability to read my mind.

Could she? Did she know the kind of feelings I held for her fiancé? Why was she still being nice if she did?

"Nope. I'm here for work not play."

"Why not both?" She smirked and collapsed on the couch, patting the space next to her.

I sat down beside her and we shared the glass as she caught me up on her travels and I caught her up with the wedding stuff, although she didn't seem particularly concerned about the cake kerfuffle.

Regardless, we stayed up late and even though she told me we could share her bed I got comfortable on the couch. It wasn't ideal if I was going to be here until the wedding, but perhaps I could figure out something tomorrow.

The next morning, I got up early and continued my search for a baker until I decided to try my luck locally. There were no wedding specialty shops in Christmas Falls but when I called Ginger’s Breads they agreed to help us out.

"Good news," I told Jenna when she came out of the bathroom after a shower. "Joel at Ginger's Breads is happy to do the cake. He says he's got time tomorrow for a tasting. Are you going to be here? You're not working again, are you?"

Jenna chewed her lip and shook her head.

"No. Definitely not," she said. "I can't wait to try the cakes. Although I already know those cakes are delicious."

I did a little happy dance and prayed to whichever deity was listening that nothing else went wrong. I didn't think I could take it. Especially if it meant I had to spend more alone time with Kody, although hopefully now that Jenna was here that was a thing of the past.

Turned out, it wasn't.

"I don't think I should be out like this," Jenna said the following morning.

She was nasal and held a tissue to her nose.

"Oh no, what's wrong?" I asked, although it was pretty clear.

"I think I caught something. Which makes sense considering how many planes and hotels I've changed in the past week."

I sank into my couch. So much for things going right.

"Do you want me to cancel? Or maybe I can bring the samples home."

Jenna's eyes opened wide and she shook her head.

"No. Please. The less people I interact with today the better. I don't want to infect anyone else. Maybe you should stay at Kody's parents'. I don't want you catching my bug and knocking you out so close to the wedding.

I raised an eyebrow. "It's your wedding, hon. As long as you and Kody aren't sick, that's all that matters."

Jenna turned and opened her bedroom door. "Still. Better not to risk it. I'll just go back to bed and hope it goes by tomorrow. You go to the appointment. I trust your judgment."

"I'm sure Joel can fit us in tomorrow."

Jenna wiped her nose and put her hand up. "You were going to take care of it without me yesterday anyway. No need for me to be there. Besides, who knows when I'll feel better."

"Do you want me to make you something? Can I get you anything?"

"I'll call Mom to drop me off some soup. Don't worry about me."

"If you think you'll be okay."

She reassured me again and I gave up with a sigh. After I finished my coffee I went out in search of breakfast before I picked Kody up from The White Elephant and went next door to Ginger's Breads.

Joel waved at us when he spotted Kody and finished serving a customer before he showed us to an empty reserved table tucked in the front.

"You must be Nova." He offered me his hand and we sat down.

Joel was a big bear of a man with a glorious ginger beard and a warm smile. It really must be a local feature. There was no other explanation. Or maybe I'd gotten way too used to the New York brooding look and this was a very good cleanse.

"Excited for the big day?" he asked Kody, pouring some water for us.

"Uhm…yeah. Def…definitely," Kody said.

I tried not to stare at him.

What was that supposed to mean?

"Fantastic. Would you like any drinks? Coffee?"

I shook my head and so did Kody.

Joel clapped his hands and retrieved a box from behind the counter. "So, based on your flavor profiles I've whipped up some samples so you have ample choice." He opened the box that held something like ten cake samples, each appearing more mouthwatering than the last.

"I've made the traditional vanilla cake with white frosting and chocolate cake with dark chocolate frosting." He pointed to the two slices in the corner. "Now I know these are pretty boring-ass flavors, and let's be honest, even more so as wedding cakes, but I wanted to offer you the option."

I couldn't help but smirk at that. I liked that he didn't bullshit us just to make a sale and he offered his—wildly accurate—opinion instead. That was what I loved about Christmas Falls. Its personality and that of its people.

"Yeah, no. I hate vanilla cake." Kody gagged.

"I'm sure yours is great though," I added and took a bite out of courtesy.

It was pleasant enough, but plain as all get-out. The chocolate one was far richer but again, as far as flavor profile went, very safe, very dull. Seeing me try the cakes, Kody joined me shaking his head at both.

"Great. Now that's out of the way I'm excited to share the rest of them. I've made some pecan carrot cake with cream cheese…" We both tried some and continued to do so with all the rest as he pointed at them. "Milk chocolate brownie cake with fresh raspberries…dark chocolate cake with passion fruit…key lime…red velvet…"

They tasted just as amazing as they looked and even though I had to refill my glass twice I couldn't stop. I'd been to many cake tastings in all my wedding planning years. I'd tasted so many concoctions by top New York City bakers and yet this small-town gingerbread man beat them all to a pulp. No competition.

"And since it's a Christmas wedding I thought I'd give you some holiday options so we've got a white chocolate, peppermint and pretzel cake…gingerbread pumpkin…cinnamon roll with cream cheese…and eggnog cake."

By the last bite I was completely enamored with this place and Joel's skill. He'd managed to make so much in such a short time frame, I couldn't even imagine what he could do with more lead time.

"So…what do you think? And please don’t feel pressured to make a decision right now. You can always take the samples home so Jenna can have a try and you can let me know after." Joel looked at Kody, who focused all of his attention on the cakes.

"Hmm, it's like asking me to choose my favorite pet," he said. "Nova, what do you think?"

I glanced at Joel and chuckled quietly. "It's not my wedding cake so I really couldn't say. What does Jenna like?"

Kody blew raspberries and stared at me.

"Is everything an option?" He asked. I held his stare for a moment longer than necessary and he sighed. "I think she'd like the chocolate and raspberry one, and I do too. It's delicious. She'd also love red velvet although I'm not so keen."

"Well, since you were thinking of three layers we can always do three different flavors so we can cater to something you both like," Joel said and I nodded.

"What do you think?" he asked me again. Before I could give him the same answer his eyes went wider. "Please? I'd love your input."

I wish he'd stop looking at me with those puppy dog eyes. As if I were his world. As if there ever could be anything between.

"Fine. I love the gingerbread pumpkin one. It's Halloween and Christmas all rolled into one."

Kody's face lit up.

"Yes. I love that one. I thought maybe it's too out there for a wedding cake but I agree. And I know Jenna would love it too. She loves a gingerbread latte."

Was he just saying that to make me feel better? Why would he feel the need to make me feel better?

Or was he scared of sharing his opinion in fear of it being wrong, and my validation made it possible for him to express himself?

Was I projecting again?

"I also love love love the cinnamon roll cake, but then again I'm partial to cinnamon roll so I can't be trusted."

Kody shook his head.

"No. You're right. It's delicious. You wouldn't think it'd translate well as a cake but…I guess that's a testament to Joel's skill."

Joel smiled and tipped his head in thanks.

"Is it silly that I keep getting drawn to this one too?" I pointed to the chocolate and passion fruit.

It was so decadent, so sweet yet tangy, so rich yet not overbearing.

"Why would it be?" Kody asked.

I shrugged. "It's a very summery flavor. It doesn't go with any of the rest of them but I know I'd eat a whole-ass cake of that at home in one sitting, no regrets."

Both of them laughed and I felt Kody's shoulder brush mine. Was that an accident?

I hoped to God it was.

"I think I know which ones we want to go for," Kody said after a moment.

I looked at him begging him telepathically not to do it. Not to pick the flavors I chose. I didn't know what my mind would do to me if he did.

"One layer of chocolate and raspberry," he said and I took a little inaudible sigh of relief. "One layer of gingerbread and pumpkin." I froze.

That wasn't so bad.

Jenna liked gingerbread. He'd just said it. There was nothing more to it. I was just projecting again. I had to get that checked, somehow.

"And one of chocolate and passion fruit."

Well…fuck.

If this wasn’t confirmation I wasn’t projecting, I didn’t know what was.