Back on Blossom Street (Blossom Street #4)(55)

Alix crossed her arms and waited impatiently, wishing now that she’d taken the initiative and called him herself.

“Hello, Jordan,” Susan said, her voice brightening now that her son was on the line. “We’re all here discussing the wedding and we seem to be at a stalemate.”

After a moment she laughed.

Alix frowned and wondered what Jordan had said that his mother found so amusing.

“No, no, nothing like that,” Susan said next. She glanced at Alix. “Now, about the wedding cake…”

After a few seconds, Susan sighed audibly and handed the phone to Alix. “Jordan wants to talk to you.”

Alix took it. “It’s me,” she said unnecessarily.

“Hi, sweetie,” he said.

“Hi.” Alix kept her voice devoid of emotion, suddenly uncertain whether he even remembered their discussion the night before. Her stomach tensed as a familiar ache came over her. “What’s this about the wedding cake?” Jordan asked.

“Jacqueline wants cheesecake, frosted with sweetened cream cheese.”

He made a noncommittal reply. She supposed that was so she’d know he was listening.

“Your mother suggested a selection of cakes in a variety of flavors.”

“That’s okay, too,” he murmured vaguely.

“Jordan, are you listening?”

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I was reading an e-mail.”

“This is important,” she snapped. She stood up and walked over to the window, presenting her back to Jacqueline and Susan. “We’re talking about our wedding cake, Jordan. Yours and mine.” In other words, the cake celebrating the beginning of their marriage should be one chosen by them, not anyone else.

“Of course it’s important,” he said. “Listen, can you wait a minute? I’ve got a call coming in.”

Before she could answer, Jordan put her on hold. It was fast becoming clear that her fiancé was less than interested in the details of their wedding.

“Sorry,” he said, switching back after an irritating two minutes.

“No problem,” she lied. It was a problem. This whole wedding was. The inside of her elbow started to itch, and Alix scratched at it through the sleeve of her jean jacket.

“What were you saying?”

“We’re discussing the wedding cake,” she reminded him, trying not to sound as annoyed as she actually felt. “You and I, Jordan,” she said, speaking slowly and distinctly, “discussed this very subject last night and we reached a decision.”

“Yes, we did.”

“Do you remember what that decision was?” she asked pointedly.

Jordan laughed. “You didn’t tell me there’d be a test.”

“Yes, and this happens to be a big test,” Alix said evenly. “Call it the final exam.”

The amusement was gone when he spoke again. “You’re really upset about this, aren’t you?”

“You could say that.”

“What did we decide last night?” Jordan asked.

“You don’t remember, do you?” Knowing beforehand that there’d be a showdown with Susan and Jacqueline, Alix had pleaded her case with Jordan. She’d explained how much she wanted to make a personal contribution to their wedding. The cake was perfect for her. She’d baked several wedding cakes already and this was something she could do and do well. Despite what Jacqueline and Susan seemed to think, she was more than capable of making that cake a showpiece.

“I’m asking you to tell your mother what we decided,” Alix repeated, a cold chill running down her spine.

“I’m sorry, Alix, I was tired last night. I had other things on my mind.”

“I…see.

“Is it really that important?”

“Apparently not,” she returned. She realized how flippant that sounded—and didn’t care.

Jordan sighed. “Come on, Alix,” he pleaded.

She reacted with stone-cold silence.

“I assumed you could make at least one decision on your own. Do what you want. Bake the damn cake if it’s that important to you.”

Jordan was angry now and not bothering to hide it.

“I will, then.”

“I’ve got another call,” he said and without asking, put her on hold again.

She clicked off the phone. Taking a moment to allow her nerves to settle, Alix turned back to face the two women. “We’ve reached a decision,” she told them.

“That’s a relief,” Susan said.

“Cheesecake?” Jacqueline asked, her eyes wide with hope.

Alix nodded. “For one of the cakes.”

“You’re going to do what I suggested?” Like a little girl who’d been promised a special treat, Susan clapped her hands cheerfully. “We’ll have several smaller cakes, right?”

Alix nodded again.

“Each of the cakes will be a different flavor?” Susan turned to Alix for confirmation. “One a cheesecake, of course.”

“That’ll be fine.” Alix walked across the kitchen and gave Susan back her cell.

“I hope Jordan talked you out of baking it yourself.” Susan dropped the phone in her purse, watching Alix.