The Holiday Swap(67)
She started transferring the cupcakes to the clear acrylic, eight-tier stand, which when completed was to look like a snow-covered evergreen, ensuring the mini cakes were equally spaced. It was rote if not delicate work, and by the time she looked up again the sky had darkened—the wedding didn’t even start until eight p.m., the bride and groom opting to donate the funds they’d have spent on a reception dinner to charity. Tonight’s party was a cocktail reception instead, with cupcakes and champagne and dancing to celebrate the union, which meant the cupcake tree had to be gorgeous, as it would be center stage.
Walter poked his head into the venue’s small catering kitchen, then seeing the cupcake tree said, “Cass, it’s perfect. Chloe is going to be really happy.” Chloe was Walter’s sister—the oldest of three—and today’s bride. She and her about-to-be husband had moved to Dallas in the spring but had come back to Starlight Peak to get married. The wedding, like many in Starlight Peak, was taking place inside the beautiful old library, with its high ceilings and stained-glass windows and the warm, soft ambiance only shelves of books lining the walls could offer.
“I’m glad you approve,” Charlie said. “How is Chloe doing?”
“She’s good. The ceremony’s starting soon.”
“Then go! Get out of here before your mom gets mad at me. I’ve got this under control.”
Walter smiled and said he’d help serve the cupcakes after the ceremony, to which she replied that he was off the clock today and to go enjoy the evening with his family. Then two of Chloe’s bridesmaids came looking for Walter. After they left, the kitchen was blissfully quiet again.
Charlie went back to work. She stood on a chair to carefully set the LED snowflake that would act like a light-up star for the tree at the top of the clear, acrylic stand. Charlie tried the switch before placing it, but the snowflake didn’t light up.
“Shoot,” she said, fiddling with the switch. But it remained unlit. She was so focused on trying to fix the snowflake that she didn’t notice Jake come into the kitchen and his voice startled her. She lost her balance, stepping awkwardly off the chair, her hip knocking the linen-covered tray that held the cupcake tree.
Jake’s hands shot out and grabbed the edge of the trolley, his arms flexing beneath his suit jacket to keep it from hitting the wall. The trolley stopped, and while the tier wobbled ever so slightly, the cupcakes stayed in place. A near disaster was averted.
Charlie, still not recovered from the shock of almost ruining the wedding dessert, remained speechless as she took in Jake’s presence, so handsome in his charcoal-gray suit and lavender tie. “This is a surprise,” she finally managed.
Jake kept one hand on the trolley and straightened, giving her an amused look. “Well, I was invited.”
She blushed. “Sorry, that totally came out wrong.”
He laughed, and Charlie relaxed somewhat, all at once relieved the cupcakes were safe and that Jake was here, even if seeing him also created a swirl of complicated feelings for her. What was it about this guy that made her insides melt the way they did, and also brought her a deep sense of comfort and the instant glow of happiness?
“So, will you be sitting on the bride’s side, or the groom’s?” Charlie asked.
Jake’s smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
“Team bride or team groom?” Charlie said again, crouching down to lock the trolley’s wheels but keeping her eyes on his.
“Uh . . .” Jake gave her a curious look, and Charlie realized Cass would never have had to ask what Jake’s connection was to the bride and groom.
“Chloe and I were on the same truck, before she moved to Dallas,” Jake added.
“I was kidding!” Charlie knew she had to change the subject and quickly. “Hey, while I have you here . . .” She held out the snowflake topper. “Any chance you’re carrying a set of screwdrivers in your suit jacket? It was working this morning, but I’m thinking the batteries died.”
He took the topper from her, squinted at the tiny screw holding the battery case. “Let me see what I can do.”
“Thanks,” she said. “But isn’t the ceremony about to start? I don’t want to keep you . . . ?”
“A short delay, apparently. Some issues with the flower girl and ring bearer. It’s past their bedtimes.” Jake handed the snowflake back to her. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.”
Charlie took a moment to sit on one of the stools lining the kitchen’s island, rolling her ankles absentmindedly the way she used to when she worked at Souci as a way to prevent soreness in her arches from being on her feet for so long. She pulled an energy bar out of her apron’s pocket, taking a huge bite just as Jake came back.
He held up a small see-through tube, with a red plastic cap, which he popped off with his thumb.
“Thawasfas,” Charlie mumbled.
“What?” Jake dumped the tube’s contents into his palm, pinching a small metal screwdriver between his fingers.
Charlie chewed furiously, trying to get the bar down, but she swallowed too quickly and it got stuck in her throat. She coughed and sputtered, jumping off the stool and looking around for a glass of water. But Jake was way ahead of her, over at the sink with a champagne flute in hand, which he was filling with tap water. He pushed it into her hands.