Baking Love (9 page)

“I’ll call the Wynnfield House,” Jess said. “I mean, with one hundred sixty-five thousand square feet and two hundred thirty rooms, storage shouldn’t be an issue.”

“I would hope not.”

“This means we’ll have to move the wedding cake twice.”

Kate sighed. “Yep.”

The women sat in silence for a few moments. “Look on the bright side,” Jess finally said. “At least we determined that Mark will indeed have time to help us assemble the wedding cake before having to serve as Eric’s groomsman.”

“You’re right. That is good news.”

Jess slid off her stool. “I’ll call the Wynnfield House and square things away on that end.”

“Thanks.” Kate rested her head on her folded arms.

I’d give anything for all of this to go off without a hitch.

Wednesday, May 2

Kate entered the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee machine. “Morning, Jess.”

“Good morning. How are you?”

“Freezing. I can’t believe how cold it is outside.” She could hear the bakery’s old heater grinding as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “Thanks for turning up the heat.”

“I knew shivering hands wouldn’t make for impressive piping work.”

Kate laughed. “Good point.”

Jess filled her own cup with coffee, then turned to Kate and smiled. “I’m going shopping for my wedding dress this weekend!”

“You are?” Kate exclaimed. “That’s so exciting!”

“It
is
exciting. I can’t wait.”

“Where are you going? Jan’s Bridal?”

“No, farther north than Jan’s.”

“Sutton’s Formal Wear?”

“Farther north.”

“Camden’s Bridal Designs?”

“Still farther north.”

Kate frowned. “Those are the only bridal boutiques in Hillsborough.”

“Actually, I’m not buying my dress in Hillsborough.”

“Where are you buying it?”

Jess smiled again. “New York.”

“New York?” Kate echoed in surprise. “What’s in New York?”

“The Bridal Gown Auctions. It’s an all-day event where designer wedding dresses are sold through auction. The event is held every year at the Manhattan Convention Center.”

“How’d you find out about it?”

“I came across the website last night.” Jess sipped her coffee. “The event starts at eight in the morning with a fashion show to showcase all the gowns. Afterward, brides have three hours to try on dresses before the models walk the runway again and each dress is auctioned off.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Why?”

“I was hoping you’d go with me. I’d love to get your opinion on the dresses I like.”

If I’m not at the point in my life where I get to pick out my own wedding dress, the next best thing is helping my best friend pick out hers.
“Of course I’ll go.”

“Yay! Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” Kate’s brows flinched. “Wait, did you say
this
weekend?”

Jess cringed. “Yeah. Like I said, I just found the website last night.” She quickly continued. “I wouldn’t ask you to go if I knew we needed to be here working instead, but since we’re on schedule with all of our cakes, I figured a weekend in New York wouldn’t hurt.”

Kate grinned. “You’re right. Let’s do it.”

* * * *

Kate touched the blue sheet cake.
Good, it’s cool.
She carefully slid the cake lifter under part of the cake and used it, along with her other hand, to transfer it from the cooling rack to the cake board. She wrapped the cake in two layers each of plastic wrap and foil before finally sliding it into a plastic zip bag. She reached for the permanent marker and wrote PRESCOTT-WAGNER GROOM’S CAKE – JUNE 1 on the outside of the bag.

She frowned.
What kind of frosting does Eric want?
The fish cake in her photo album had been made with white chocolate buttercream, but Kate wasn’t sure if that was the kind Eric wanted. Knowing him, he’d only chosen that cake because it’d had a fish on top. Either way, she needed to know what kind of frosting to make.

Kate walked over to the computer and clicked on her contacts list.
Who should I call?
Eric and his parents are handling the rehearsal dinner and groom’s cake, so it makes sense to call him. On the other hand, I don’t want any surprises for Cecilia because I didn’t check with her on this,

Kate scoffed.
This is Eric’s cake. I’m not calling Cecilia.
She picked up the phone and dialed his mobile number.

“Hey, Kate,” he answered.

Funny, he didn’t say, Hey, you.
“Hey, how’s it going?”

“I can’t complain. How are things with you?”

“Not bad. I need your help this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

“I need to know what kind of frosting you want on your groom’s cake.”

“You’re already making that thing?”

“Just the cake.”

“Won’t it be old by the time the rehearsal dinner rolls around?”

“I’ll freeze it.”
Goofball.

“Oh, right. So I need to pick a frosting. What kind was on the cake in the photo?”

“White chocolate buttercream.”

“Sounds great. I’ll take it.”

“Alright.” Kate walked back to the cake and wrote WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM on the outside of the bag. “Thanks for your help.”

“No problem. How are things in Hillsborough this afternoon?”

“Unseasonably cold. How about in Manhattan?”

“It’s warm here today. In fact, it’s supposed to stay warm for the next week or so.”

“Good, maybe I can thaw out this weekend.” Kate smacked her forehead with the heel of her hand.
Why did I say that?

“Wait, what? Are you coming to Manhattan this weekend?”

Kate forced herself to say the word. “Yes.”

“Terrific! What’s the occasion?”

“There’s a bridal expo at the convention center on Saturday, and Jess asked me to go with her.”

“Do y’all want to meet for dinner afterward?”

I don’t see the point. Our friendship will be over in a month thanks to your fiancée, who will make sure I never hear from you again once you say, “I do”. Not only that, but I have to act like someone I’m not around you now.
Kate racked her brain for an excuse to decline Eric’s invitation…and came up short.
Damn, I’ve got nothing.
“I guess we could have dinner,” she relented.

“Great! Where are you staying in the city?”

“Marquise. It’s a hotel near the convention center.”

“Okay. What time will the expo be over?”

“I’m not sure. Why don’t we plan on meeting in the hotel lobby at, say, seven o’clock?” I’ll call you if it’s going to be any later.”

“Sounds good. I look forward to it.”

That makes one of us.
“Thanks again for your help with the groom’s cake.”

“Of course. I’ll see you Saturday.”

“See you then.” Kate hung up the phone and stared at it.

Next time, I’ll call Cecilia.

Saturday, May 5

Kate shivered. “I don’t think Eric knew what he was talking about when he said it was going to be warm in Manhattan this weekend.”

“Good thing he’s studying architecture and not meteorology,” Jess noted.

Kate laughed. “No kidding.”

Jess craned her neck to see above the crowd. “I think they’re opening the doors!”

Kate walked over to a nearby trash can and threw away her empty coffee cup. When she turned back around, she scanned the long line of women waiting to enter the Manhattan Convention Center.
Wow, that’s a lot of competition.
She rejoined Jess just as the line started to move. They slowly approached the entrance, and Kate lifted her gaze yet again to the buildings towering above them.
No photo I’ve ever seen has done justice to this surreal sight.

Reaching the doors of the convention center, they paid and entered the facility. They followed the line into a large room, where rows of chairs faced a stage with a runway. Attendants directed Kate and Jess into one of the rows about halfway back. “What great seats!” Jess exclaimed, as they sat.

“Good morning, ladies.”

Kate looked to the stage to find a woman standing on the runway, holding a microphone. A hush fell over the crowd, and the woman smiled. “Thank you, and welcome to The Bridal Gown Auctions. My name is Lena Brayton, and I’ll be your host for the day. On behalf of the Manhattan Convention Center, I’d like to welcome you to this gorgeous facility.

“Most of you probably know how today is going to go, but for those of you who don’t, let me give you a quick rundown. First, we’ll enjoy a fashion show featuring beautiful designer wedding gowns. During the show, each model will hold a number corresponding to the gown she’s wearing. We encourage you to write down the numbers of the gowns you like.” Lena signaled to the attendants, and they started passing large index cards down each row. “If you need paper, please take an index card and pass the rest on.”

Kate glanced down their row and saw a stack of index cards coming her way. When the cards reached her, she handed them to Jess without taking one. Jess frowned. “Why didn’t you take one?”

“I don’t need one. I’m not buying a dress.”

“Take one anyway.”

The woman on the other side of Jess cleared her throat. Jess quickly took two cards and handed the stack to the woman. “I don’t even have a pen,” Kate said. “I left it in my workbag.”

Jess reached into her purse and pulled out two pens. She put one on Kate’s lap, along with a card.

“Thanks.”
I won’t need these, but thanks.

“Alright,” Lena’s voice filled the room. “Since almost everyone has a card, I’ll continue. After the fashion show, all of the gowns will be hung numerically on racks set up on the back side of the stage. You’ll have three hours to try on as many as you like—or as many as you can. You may, however, only take two gowns with you into a changing room at a time. Once the three hours are up, there’ll be a forty-five minute break for lunch.

“For the final part of the day, the models will walk the runway again—only this time, you’ll have the opportunity to bid on your dream wedding gown. Our auctioneer for the afternoon, Gary Knollwood, will conduct an auction for each and every gown. In the interest of time, bidding will be in one hundred dollar increments. We ask for appropriate behavior during and after the auctions. If you win an auction, you’ll need to stop by the cashier’s table to pay for and claim your gown. If you prefer, you can pay to have it shipped to the destination of your choice. Last but not least, out of fairness to everyone here, each woman may only purchase one gown.” Lena smiled. “Let’s get started!”

Music started pumping through the speakers, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The black curtain at the top of the runway parted, and the first model emerged. “This is gown number one,” Lena said, now behind the podium. “A long-sleeved organza empire waist with a semi-cathedral length train, size eight.”

As each subsequent model appeared, Lena offered the same information on the dress she wore. After each model had left the runway, Kate checked to see whether Jess had written down the dress’s number.

An hour later, Kate was getting restless.
Wonder if there’s a water fountain around here.
She scanned the periphery of the room and spotted a sign. She leaned toward Jess to tell her she’d be right back. When she did, her gaze landed on the runway and the model walking down it.

Kate’s heart melted.
That’s the most beautiful wedding dress I’ve ever seen.

“This is gown number one thirty-nine,” Lena said. “A strapless satin a-line with a chapel length train, size six.”

“Wow,” Kate whispered.

“You like that one?” Jess asked.

“I love it.”

“It
is
a pretty dress.” Jess tapped her pen against her chin in a thoughtful manner. “I’ll write it down.”

Disappointment unexpectedly swept over Kate. “Uh, yeah, write it down.”
Why does it bother me that Jess likes this dress?
—then it hit her.

I like this dress…for me.

* * * *

Jess pushed aside the curtain of a makeshift changing room. “What do you think?”

Kate studied the dress. “It doesn’t beat your favorite, number seven.”

“I agree. You can take this one off the list.”

Kate scratched through number one sixteen on Jess’s index card.

“Which two are next?” Jess asked.

Number one twenty-one…and number one thirty-nine.
Kate hesitated.
If I skipped number one thirty-nine, would Jess ever know?

A pang of guilt struck her.
I’d know.
“Numbers one twenty-one and one thirty-nine,” she said. “I’ll take the dresses you have now and bring you those two.”

“Thanks.” Jess pulled the curtain closed. A few minutes later, she handed the dresses out to Kate.

Kate carried them back to the racks. “Excuse me,” she said, barely able to squeeze through the crowd of women to return the dresses. She reached over and grabbed number one twenty-one, then walked farther down the line and found number one thirty-nine. She pulled it off the rack and held it out in front of her to get a better look.

It’s magnificent.

Kate made her way back to Jess’s changing room.
Might as well get this over with.
“Here’s the next one.” She handed number one thirty-nine around the curtain to Jess.

Minutes seemed like hours as Kate waited for Jess to emerge wearing this dress.
Maybe it won’t look good on her. Maybe it won’t fit her right. Maybe it won’t flatter her figure.

Finally, Jess pushed the curtain aside. “Well?”

Don’t cry, Kate. You’ll find another dress…someday.
“You look beautiful.”

Jess turned to face the changing room mirror. “You think so?”

Kate swallowed hard. “Yes.”

She continued to study her reflection. “It
is
an amazing dress.”