Page 31 of Theirs for the Holidays

There’s also a part of me that’s hurt that it never even occurred to Isabelle to ask me to do the desserts for her wedding. I’m not sure I’d want to, considering everything, but it’s just more proof that no one in my family takes my business seriously.

“Violet?” Isabelle is saying. “I could really use your help, okay? I’m not going to beg, but I am asking.”

“Fine, okay,” I reply. “Text me the address of the place, and I’ll meet you there.”

“Thank you!” she says brightly. “You’re my hero, et cetera, et cetera. See you there in twenty.”

Isabelle hangs up, and I hold the phone in my hand, taking a deep breath before letting it out again. I could have said no, but I didn’t, so that means I have to do this.

I shake my head and then start a group chat with the guys, letting them know that I have to go do this thing and I won’t be back for a while. Then I put the car in drive and punch in the address into my GPS to get me there.

Cardinal Sweets is a cute little place one town over. It’s trendy, with lots of flowers for decor, and one of those pink booths with neon letters that spell out ‘You look great!’ for people to take selfies and pictures with and a hashtag for the bakery to be tagged with.

It’s a good idea, if you live in a place where trendy teens and young adults actually come by. Which I don’t.

I push into the bakery to see Isabelle and Andrew already there.

They have their heads bowed together at one of the tables toward the back, and they look good together, I can admit that.

Andrew with his classic good looks, and Isabelle, thin and pretty, everything I’m not. She tosses her hair over one shoulder and looks up as I walk over, pasting on a smile.

“Hi, Violet. Thanks so much for coming with us to do this.”

“Sure,” I say, moving to sit down. “It’s no problem.”

“Finally all that messing around with sugar and stuff comes in handy, right?” Andrew adds.

I grit my teeth and force a smile back.

“Hello,” the owner of the shop says, coming over with a warm smile for us. She’s a woman in her forties probably, wearing a shirt with the bakery’s name on it. She beams at Andrew and Isabelle and then spares me a glance.

“You two must be the happy couple.”

Isabelle nods. “Yes, thank you so much for seeing us on such short notice. Our desserts person completely flaked on us, and we’re in a pinch.”

“Not a problem at all. These things, unfortunately, happen all the time, and we always set aside some time for rush orders. Your wedding is close to Christmas, right?”

Andrew nods. “Is that a problem?”

“Of course not. I’m sure we can accommodate you. After we spoke on the phone, I put some things together for you, if you’re ready to start tasting?”

“We are,” Isabelle says brightly.

The owner brings over a tray laden with cake samples. Everything looks fresh and smells good, and Andrew and Isabelle lean in, ready to get to the tasting.

Before they can, the door opens with a merry chime, and we all look up to see Lennox, Rhett, and Sawyer come walking in.

It’s hard to say who’s more surprised to see them, Andrew or me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as they come over.

“You’ve been gone all day at your bakery, and now you’re here at another one,” Sawyer says with a grin. “We missed you, so we wanted to see you.”

“You don’t mind if we join the tasting do you?” Rhett adds. He folds his arms, looking polite but still imposing. He’s not looking at me, but instead at Andrew and Isabelle, as if daring them to say no and make a scene.

Andrew smiles, but I know him well enough to see the tension in it, the way his jaw is tight from how hard he’s biting back a comment. “That’s fine,” he finally says.

Isabelle looks at him and he shakes his head at her, clearly communicating that it’s not worth arguing.