Page 54 of Promise Yule Be Mine
"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 otherexplanation. 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?
