Page 12 of Baking with Bryan

December grins, and I swallow. “Why do I feel like I’m suddenly on the firing line?”

“It’s been a whirlwind for us, but if you think I missed what was going on with you and Bryan or I was going to let it slide, you’re very wrong.”

“I can’t answer what I don’t know, Dec. Let’s focus on getting you down the aisle.”

“We’re women; we can multitask.” She holds up her pointer finger. “I’m not going to let you brush me off.”

Stomach dropping, I give her a curt nod. “Fine.”

“Do know what you might like? I can try to get some dresses pulled in advance,” Cynthia says.

“Gold and in line with the theme of this dress, if possible.”

“Excellent. You’re a size eight, maybe?” Cynthia guesses.

“I am. You’re good.”

“After ten years, you pick up a few things.” She winks. “I’ll go grab a few things off the rack. I have a few choices in mind.”

I shift my weight. December will grill me like a detective from a movie in the 20s.

Appearing in a pair of comfy jeans, boots, and a white t-shirt that says Bride across the front in light blue, December returns with a smile.

“You have to figure out what you’re doing with your hair,” I blurt.

“What? I was going to wear it down.”

“Yes, but are you going to have a tiara or a veil? Or are you going to do some sort of barrette?”

“Oh.” Her lips form a circle. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“And we need to today because we’re short on time.”

“You’re right.” She frowns.

I mentally pat myself on the back for the crisis aversion and the distraction from my issues.

“I always dreamed of wearing my great-great grandmother’s veil.” Her face drops.

“You still can. Ask your mother to bring it over during the party so you can see if it needs any repairs or cleaning.”

“Okay. That’s smart.” December grins. “I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be. This is taking off a lot of pressure, but doing it ourselves on such a short timetable is hard.”

“That’s why you have me. Let’s go look at the jewelry. Unless you have something in mind.”

She smiles bashfully. “I do. The diamond earrings E gave me last Christmas, and the emerald set my parents bought me when I graduated high school.”

“That’s perfect.”

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you and Bryan.”

“I wish you would.” I grab her hand and squeeze. “Just for today. This is your moment. I don’t want to take from that.”

She sighs. “But–”

“I have three dresses I think will be perfect.” Cynthia holds up three gowns in varying shades of gold.

Cynthia, you’re an angel.The last thing I want to do is watch the blushing bride’s face drop when she hears about my open-ended encounter. The attraction between us is like wildfire, but that doesn’t automatically equal a relationship. He said he wanted to change and settle down. Was that across the board, or just with the Perez Nursery?He did turn Allison away.

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