Page 100 of The Backup Groom
“I’m so glad you weren’t injured.” Lesta waved to an employee. “We’re going to get this cleaned up immediately. Let’s move the four of you over to that table that opened up. Sir, if you would like anything at all on the menu, it’s on the house.”
The man shook his head. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ve already had two delicious cupcakes and was on my way out. And don’t worry, I’m perfectly fine. I’m going to use your restroom to get cleaned up a little. I don’t want to mess up my car.”
After we moved to the other table, Dean sat down and said, “That was kind of crazy.”
“Yeah,” I said, grateful the man hadn’t hurt himself. “What a weird day. First with the dress incident, and now with this. I mean, it’s still a good day, but it’s also weird at the same time.”
“Maybe you two are cursed,” Dean said.
Scotty rolled his eyes. “Here we go again.”
Lesta returned and placed a giant platter of cupcakes on our table. “I’m so sorry, but we have no more wedding cake samples available that aren’t frozen or reserved for other couples coming in today. I can reschedule you for another cake tasting at your convenience, but please, enjoy these cupcakes on me.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t your fault what happened, but thank you for the kind gesture. I’m happy that the man was okay.”
“Me, too,” Lesta said. “The good news is, these cupcakes are the same flavors as the wedding samples you were going to try, so it will give you a good idea of what to expect when you come back. Ignore the writing on top of them since they were extras we baked as backups for a variety of events we had booked today. Focus on the flavor and not on what it says on top, if you don’t mind. Sorry again for the inconvenience.”
“Please, don’t even worry about it,” Scotty said, grinning. “We will happily eat these.”
“Good,” Lesta said, walking back to the front counter.
Dean reached for the first cupcake, glanced at the top, and did a double-take before reading it. “Rest in peace, Jim.” He furrowed his brow. “I had no idea people served cupcakes at funerals.”
Stella shook her head. “Most likely it was for a memorial or a celebration of life, since they typically have food at those.”
Satisfied with her answer, Dean took a bite and moaned appreciatively. “This red velvet is excellent.”
Stella read what was written on top of the chocolate raspberry truffle cupcake. “It’s a girl!” She took a bite, moaning. “Maybe it’s a sign. You need to name your first child Ryanna.” She took another bite.
Scotty reached for a spice cupcake. “Sounds like someone has been talking about our dinner last night.” He took a bite. “Ooh, this one is good.”
I shrugged. “You can’t blame me for wanting to brag about my unforgettable evening with my fiancé.”
“I cannot.” He grinned and held his cupcake in front of my mouth, wanting to feed me.
It was romantic and sweet. And not just that, there was such a gentleness to the way he did it. That simple gesture spoke to me, making me feel treasured.
I took a bite, instantly loving the flavor. “That’s so delicious.” I went for the burnt almond cupcake and turned it around for everyone to read.
“Happy one hundredth!” Dean said. “Can you imagine that?”
“I would love to see you at one hundred years old,” Scotty said to me.
I held up my palm in his direction. “You don’t have a fast-forward button, do you? If so, I will need to confiscate that.”
Scotty grinned. “Sorry, but I only have a pause button.”
“Good. Because I look forward to growing old with you, and I don’t want it to happen too quickly,” I said, surprising myself more than I realized, because I meant it. I was sure my cheeks had bloomed pink since it may have been the first time I had said something so romantic to Scotty.
“Likewise,” he said, kissing me, then taking a bite of my burnt almond cupcake after I held it close to his mouth.
As we devoured the cupcakes one-by-one, I couldn’t help but revel in the knowledge of how lucky I was. The plan had been to marry for money, but this was turning quickly into love.
I could feel it in my bones.
In fact, it was happening so fast it was a little scary. But I refused to believe this was too good to be true, or that something was bound to go wrong to mess everything up. I wasn’t a superstitious person, and I didn’t believe in Murphy’s Law.
After my first experience in matrimony, I deserved to be happy.
