Page 13 of Cut The Cake

“Sorry for bending your ear. I get carried away sometimes. It’s part of being a history buff, I guess.” Paula’s cheeks turned rosy.

“No need to apologize on my account.” Jenny stared at the shards with a new respect for their role in the town’s past.

“I shouldn’t have rambled on, though. What say I make it up to you and help you find the right pieces to carry down the aisle with you on your wedding day? Unless you already have your something old, new, borrowed, and blue?”

“We don’t have much time right now, but I do need a quick word with Paula.” This came from Nick, who’d bent down and lightly traced a finger along the curved edge of one of the rocks. “Jenny, if you’d like to take a look around, we won’t be long.”

“I’d like that,” she answered agreeably. She turned away from Nick and the cute blonde. Were they a couple? She hadn’t caught so much as a lingering glance between them, but it stood to reason that they’d be interested in one another. They worked next door to each other. Each ran their own business and apparently shared an interest in the history of Heart’s Landing. Relationships had been built on a lot less.

Not that she had any intention of asking Nick about it. The handsome baker had taken time out of his busy schedule to show her around town, but whether he was seeing someone or not really wasn’t any of her business. Between planning Kay’s wedding and pretending to be a bride, she already had enough to occupy herself for the next two weeks.

Speaking of which, a real bride would probably take advantage of the chance to shop, wouldn’t she? Nodding to herself, she glanced about. The store was such an eclectic mix of old and new, vintage and modern that she had trouble choosing where to look first. Deciding on the tabletop displays, she scrutinized an array of gold and silver pendants. She could spend hours browsing the jewelry alone.

In less time than she’d expected, though, Nick and Paula joined her. Whatever had transpired between them while they were alone in the back, it had filled Paula’s eyes with a new vibrancy.

“So Jenny, Nick tells me your wedding is less than a month away.” The shop owner ran her fingers through her hair. “If there’s anything I can do to help out—anything at all—ask. I’ll be happy to help.”

“That’s so nice of you.” She wished she had time to explore the rest that the store had to offer, but Nick had already headed for the exit. Hating to leave, she promised to return soon and followed the man who’d so generously given up his time to be her guide.

When she caught up with him on the sidewalk, he asked, “Do you have a veil yet?”

She shook her head. Kay hadn’t even bought a dress, let alone a veil to go with it. She crossed her fingers and hoped this week’s appointment at the bridal salon was a huge success. It needed to be. Time was running short.

“We’ll stop in at Chantilly Veils next,” he said. “It’s just down the block on Honeymoon Avenue. I’m told Ames has the best selection on the East Coast.”

“I liked Paula,” she ventured when they’d reached the next corner. “Have you known each other long?”

“Since we were kids. She dated my best friend when we were in high school, but they broke up before they left for college.”

“You two aren’t seeing each other?” Jenny tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. So much for her good intentions. She’d sworn she wasn’t going to pry, yet here she was, doing exactly that.

“Who? Me and Paula?” Nick chortled. “Nah. We’re friends. I’ve helped her drown her sorrows in a couple of ice cream sodas when she found out a Mr. Potentially Right was sadly lacking in potential. She did the same for me when I discovered a particular someone wasn’t who she pretended to be. I’d mistakenly thought she might be the one.” He made air quotes with his fingers. “But that’s as far as it’s ever gone between us. Or ever will.”

Jenny cut her eyes toward Nick. Did he suspect she was only pretending to be a bride? Suddenly, the fake engagement ring on her finger felt like it weighed ten pounds. She hated lying to Nick—and everyone else—about her reason for being in Heart’s Landing, but she couldn’t let anyone discover she was merely a stand-in for the real bride. Not with her cousin’s happiness on the line.

“It’s really none of my business,” she said. “I guess I just want everyone to be as happy as I am.” She twisted the ring on her finger and held out her hand like she was showing it off a little. The faux diamond sparkled in the afternoon sun, and she firmed her steps, determined to do a better job of impersonating a bride-to-be.

In no time at all, she and Nick arrived at Chantilly Veils. She’d barely noted the crystal chandeliers, swags of pink fabric at the windows, or the recessed nooks where gauzy wisps hung from padded hangers before a slender man rushed across the showroom to greet them. Wearing a toothy grin beneath carefully styled dark hair, he grasped both her hands and raised her arms.

“My word, Nick!” he gushed while laughter twinkled in pale blue eyes. “How have you kept this gorgeous creature a secret? I didn’t know you were seeing someone. Much less serious enough to put a ring on her finger and take her shopping. Now, tell me, who is this lovely woman, and when’s the big day?”

“Uh, Ames, it’s not …” A flush started above Nick’s collar and rose rapidly.

Amusement tugged at Jenny’s lips. She hadn’t thought Nick capable of embarrassment, but he was clearly unnerved by the shop owner’s misunderstanding. “It’s nothing like that,” she said, leaning forward as if sharing a secret. “Nick and I quite literally ran into each other outside I Do Cakes this afternoon. I ended up covered in smashed cupcakes. To make it up to me, he’s taking me on a little tour and introducing me to some of his favorite shop owners.”

Ames’s eyebrows rose until they hid behind dark bangs that gave Jenny a slight case of hair envy. “Really?” When she nodded, he relinquished his hold on her. He perched one hand at the waist of a pair of white linen trousers. “How’d you get him to do that?”

Nick’s deep voice intervened. “It’s not every day I knock a true Heart’s Landing Bride onto the sidewalk.”

“Are you serious?” His eyes wide, Ames’s gaze bounced between Nick and Jenny.

“Serious.” Nick paused to clear his throat. “Jenny was such a good sport about it, the least I could do was introduce her to a few of my friends. This is Ames, by the way. In case you haven’t already figured it out. Jenny’s planning her own wedding in a month.”

“A month?” Ames clapped a hand over his mouth. “I couldn’t possibly custom-make a veil for you by then.” He seemed to catch himself. “But I have some lovely ready-made ones.” He sidled toward a mannequin on top of a table draped in white. His fingers fluffed the nearly translucent creation pinned to its head. “This one would be beautiful on you.”

“It’s lovely.” Jenny moved closer to the gossamer number. The discreet price tag displayed on the stand made her shudder, but Ames certainly knew his merchandise. Everything about the veil was sheer perfection, from the comb adorned with freshwater pearls to the pencil-thin satin edging. Even the length was exactly right for her. The veil was out of her price range, but she’d choose it in a heartbeat. Not that she had any say in the matter. She wasn’t the one who’d be walking down the aisle at the Captain’s Cottage. Nor was it her responsibility to pick out the accessories her movie-star cousin would wear. Kay would do that for herself at Madame Eleanor’s. She summoned a smile for Ames. “I’m not quite ready to shop today. Maybe some other time?”

“Anytime,” came the ready assurance. As if by magic, a business card appeared in between Ames’s fingers. He pressed it into her hand. “If you need anything, day or night, call me. You hear?”

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