3

3

O

nce she got home and settled in, Jules grabbed the phone and dialed Gillian’s number.

“Hello there, Juliet, how may I assist you?” Jules’s godson and Gillian’s fourteen-year-old son Miles answered, making her laugh.

“Hey, kiddo. How’s it goin’?”

“Pretty cool. Oh! Dad said I could play with his band at the wedding. How cool is that?”

Jules smiled at the idea. She knew how much Miles loved music, and that his father, a notable musician, had given him such a big thumbs-up was lovely. She liked Adrian Brown even more at that point.

“That’s totally cool. I can’t wait to hear you.” Though Jules bet Gillian had told Miles that if any more Ds came home he wouldn’t be doing any such thing.

“Thanks. He also said he’d be cool if our band played. It’d be cool if Dad came up to play a song or two with us. Mum said he would and that I should ask him. But he’s all—well, you know, he’s Adrian Brown.”

She heard Gillian’s voice in the background. “Sure he is. And you’re his son and he loves your music. Silly. I’d wager the wedding will be filled with musician types so I bet you could do one of those cool jams they have at the end of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame events. That would be epic.”

He gasped, which only made Jules smile bigger. “Dude. That would be . . . oh my god. Hey, Mum, Jules is on the phone. I have to think about this more. Jules, you’re brilliant.”

And with that he was gone.

Gillian’s voice still held a laugh when she took over. “Are you bringing me cake tonight?”

Gillian was damned good at that stuff. Must be the mother thing. “How did you know?” She’d spent some time early that afternoon putting together cake samples for Gillian and Adrian. They’d asked her to make the cake for their upcoming July wedding. Jules had been touched beyond measure that they’d trust her with something so important and she’d insisted to Gillian and Adrian both that it was far over her head and she’d never made a big wedding cake before.

Gillian had waved it away, told her no one was better suited to make the cake for their big day and to suck it up and do it.

So Jules did. She’d spent the time since they’d asked working on different recipes. Perfecting until she’d decided on several she felt fit them both well and tasted really awesome. Gillian was her best friend and if she did say so herself, her cake repertoire had really come a long way.

“I didn’t know! That was all hope and bluster. But yay, cake! Come over now. Adrian is on his way back from Seattle and he says he’s bringing takeout. I’ll call him to say you’re coming for dinner. He’ll hurry if he knows cake is involved.”

“You only want me for my cake, Gillian. This makes me sad.”

“It’s really good cake. Come over.”

“All right, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Need anything else?”

“Just your pretty face. And the cake.”

• • •

Gillian’s house, well, the one she lived in temporarily until the renovations were finished on the new house anyway, was a place Jules always gravitated to. The front windows were ablaze with light and as she moved up the walk she caught sight of Miles, a cat in his arms, walking through the room.

Gillian would close the curtains soon, Jules knew. Now that it was common knowledge that Adrian Brown was Miles’s father and that he and Gillian were getting married, photographers made their way out to Bainbridge Island from time to time to try to grab pictures. One had even set himself up in a tree across the road. Of course he fell from his perch and broke his ankle in the fall.

Gillian was a far nicer person than Jules because she called an ambulance. Jules would have turned the hose on him and made him crawl his worthless butt away.

Still smiling and feeling a little vicious, she knocked on the door. The year before she’d have sailed right in. But those days were long past, also the product of the higher profile she had now that Gillian was going to marry someone famous. The doors were always locked up tight now.

Gillian opened the door and pulled her into a hug. “Come in. Adrian just got home.”

Jules put her bags down in the kitchen, out of the way of traffic and above normal cat inspection.

Still, Claypool came out and meowed at her in his scratchy old-guy voice so she knelt and gave him a scritch under the chin where he liked it best. “Hey, old man, looking good today.”

The cat purred at her, turned, rubbed his side along her knees and sauntered away.

“Story of my life. Get some lovin’ and you all leave afterward.” Jules stood and washed her hands.

Adrian Brown, ridiculously gorgeous and equally ridiculously in love with Gillian, strolled into the kitchen, pausing to plant a kiss on Jules’s cheek. “I got extra pad thai for you.”

“You come in handy. Thanks.”

“Do we have to wait until after dinner to eat the cake?” Miles poured juice into the glasses before he sat.

“Yes.” Gillian sent her son a look and he blushed.

Jules winked at him. “I brought extra just for you.”

He grinned, looking very much like his father.

They talked about the renovations. Adrian’s recording studio was finished, which was a lucky thing as he’d started working on his next record with some hot-stuff producer. The rest of the house was continuing apace and should be done by the beginning of June.

The food was good, the company even better. She was so glad Gillian and Adrian were settling out on Bainbridge instead of in Seattle. Jules never would have said it out loud, but it would have been really hard to not see Gillian as often as she did. And Miles, who she loved as fiercely as she did his mother.

Jules hated the ferry. Hated all boats for that matter, big or small. Which was sort of a problem when you lived on an island and all. Thankfully the trip was just over half an hour and there was a bridge too if she had to go that way. Bainbridge had just about everything and everyone she needed anyway.

Finally, after they’d finished dinner, Adrian and Miles cleared away the dishes and brought new ones out along with some freshly brewed tea.

“All right.” Jules placed five boxes on the table.

“Wow! That’s all cake? Score.” Miles sent a look to his dad, who also grinned.

“I told you I brought extra for you.”

“Which is your favorite?” Gillian sipped her tea as Jules placed the slices out on little plates on the table so everyone could see and take a taste.

“I’m not telling. Given what I know about you and what you like and the things Adrian told me, I’ve come up with several different ideas. But I don’t want to influence you in any way.”

She pointed. “This is spice cake with cream cheese frosting. That piece there has pumpkin cream between the layers. That one has dark chocolate and that last one is cinnamon cream.”

Adrian hummed his satisfaction as he tried the different pieces. “This is insane. I think I like the cinnamon one, but the pumpkin is also delicious.”

“The pumpkin is my favorite. What are those?” Gillian looked to the next plate.

Jules noted the pumpkin vote and then placed the next set of plates in front of them.

“Next up are lemon, lime and tangerine. The frostings and fillings are easily substituted if you like one more than the other.”

“The lemon is fantastic.” Gillian looked to Adrian. “I think it could be good for the reception the label is throwing. Don’t you think?”

“Is this lemon curd?” Adrian forked another bite up.

“Yes. It’s a new recipe. That’s only my second batch, but I think it’s really good. If I do say so myself.”

Gillian moaned her delight. “You’d better say so yourself! I never tire of bragging on your skills, but you have to help me, Juliet Lamprey. Also, would you happen to have any extra?”

“There’s a jar of it in the bag on the counter.”

Gillian laughed. “You know me so well.”

Adrian gave Miles a look for sneaking some cake from Adrian’s plate. His son seemed to think that was hilarious. “I think your mother would call that being cheeky, Miles, my son.”

“You’re the parent, you’re supposed to sacrifice for your children.”

“Ha. You need a kidney, you can have one. But stay away from my cake, boy.” Adrian winked at Jules. “I think Gillian is right. The lemon for the label reception would be perfect.”

Adrian had come to her a month before and asked if she’d be willing to also do the cake for some local event his record label wanted to give them. Mary was doing the appetizers as well.

“That’s doable. I can make one with the raspberry too if you like. For some variety.”

“Whatever you say. I’m all for it.”

She noted that before sliding the next round of plates to them. “And this is chocolate. Seven-layer chocolate with sea salt and caramel.” She pointed to her favorite but then moved on. She didn’t want them to know and make a choice based on that. She wanted them to have the cake they wanted most.

“This one is dark chocolate and orange with chocolate buttercream and orange cream filling. Last is death by chocolate. Chocolate cake with chocolate shavings in the batter, ganache between the layers, chocolate buttercream frosting with chocolate curls. It’d be served with a drizzle of warm chocolate.”

Gillian finished every last bit of the seven layer. “I love that you didn’t even bother with fondant or any of that fake whipped frosting stuff.”

“I know you, Gillian. You’re a buttercream girl.”

Gillian laughed. “Fondant is pretty but it tastes like glue. If I’m having cake, I want it to be delicious.”

Adrian held his hands up in surrender. “I vote the seven-layer chocolate with salted caramel. I want to be buried in that cake when I die.”

“He’s right. Jules, this is all great, but this cake right here is perfect. Please make it for our wedding.” Gillian put her head on Adrian’s shoulder.

“Are you sure? You haven’t sampled the others.”

“I’m sure. Though I will sample the others as well.” Gillian winked and they all dug into the yellow cake slices on the next plate.

“I guess that is that.” Jules sat back with a smile.

“It was your favorite all along, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, but I didn’t want to unfairly influence you. It sounds heavy, but it’s really good. The flavors work well together. The cake will go with just about any type of food Mary creates.”

Gillian nodded. “We’ve gone with an all-finger-foods deal. And I made her promise to hire all the staff she’ll need so she can enjoy the wedding like every other member of the wedding party. You will too of course. You’re the maid of honor; can’t have you working when you need to help keep me sane.”

“Well, my job is simpler than Mary’s. The work will be done before the wedding. You’re doing it in the late afternoon so the delivery will be easy enough. I just have to swan around and accept all the love for it. Easy peasy.”

“Let’s go into the living room. I need to lean back a little as I’m stuffed full of cake.” Gillian led the way into the other room where they settled on the couch while Adrian pulled the curtains closed.

“What’s new? Other than cake and stuff, that is,” Gillian asked.

“I hit some local businesses this week and spoke to a few in Seattle and outward. This ‘locally produced goods’ thing is working well. Mary and I are both already using some of the stuff in our products. We got Brindle Printery to do these little signs for the case that indicate what local products are used in which of our goods. We traded! That’s been fun and it’s enabled me to meet more people around the island. Oh, and an old friend is back in town. Patrick Carter’s grandson Gideon has moved in to help his grandfather run the farm. He’s also ridiculously tasty.”

Gillian’s laugh was easy and affectionate. “Really? Do tell.”

She did, including his visit to Tart that afternoon.

“I like to hear this.” Gillian smiled. “You’re so pretty and fun and smart and special. I want you to have someone who sees that too.”

“Whoa there, missy. I’m crushing on someone who flirted with me. That’s all. We’re not even dating. Don’t go getting ahead of yourself.”

Adrian snorted as he brought them some tea. “If she can plan your life, she won’t be so stressed about the wedding. You really should let her do it. Don’t make the baby Jesus cry, Jules.”

Jules laughed, loving how well Adrian had Gillian pegged.

“Oy, you two.” Gillian attempted a prim look but neither Jules nor Adrian were fooled. “Easy to laugh. Don’t you think Jules is pretty, Adrian?”

“Don’t answer that.” Jules rolled her eyes and turned to Gillian. “You can’t ask a man that. He’s going to explode trying to figure out how to answer without offending anyone. So anyway, it’s a fun thing, but it’s just that. I’ll let you know if we elope.”

“He’d better be good to you or he’ll have a bucketload of ladies raining punches down upon his head.”

“He’s like eighty billion feet tall. I kept looking up and then up some more.” Jules knew she was blushing but if you couldn’t be giddy about a new boy in town with your best friend, who could you do it with?

“Thank heavens you’re not prone to overstatement.” Gillian said this soberly until they both laughed.

“We chose a cake, Mister Brown.” Gillian turned to Adrian, who paused, his amusement softening into something else. Something so intimate and raw between the two of them Jules was nearly embarrassed to see it.

He took her hands and kissed her fingertips. “Can’t turn back now, English. There’s cake to be paid for. Also my reputation is at stake. Imagine what people might do if they thought you had taken advantage of me.”

Gillian blushed and Jules loved her friend very much right then. Her happiness was so well deserved. She and Adrian really were perfect for one another. And then there was a small twist of envy. Just a little.

Jules wanted that too.

She sat forward. “I should go before you two embarrass me with all your fast and modern ways.”

Gillian’s eyes widened and then she laughed. “You’re having a go.”

“Totally. But still, I’m trying a new cinnamon roll tomorrow. In case you wanted to stop in. I’m making extra for Mary and some deal she’s doing in the afternoon.”

She stood and walked to the door. Her bags were waiting there for her neatly. Adrian and Gillian trailed behind. Miles had disappeared into the garage out back to practice with his friends.

Gillian reached out to squeeze Jules’s hand. “You guys are really doing well. So fast out of the gate too.”

“It’s only been two weeks but yes, it’s smooth so far, which is nice. It’s not hard to work with Mary or Daisy. My business is up. Mary’s business is up and Daisy sold two pieces last week.”

“I like that Delicious is kicking butt.”

Delicious was the name of Jules’s group of friends. Four women who were very different on the outside but who were close as sisters. Each artistic and vibrant in her own way. Loyal to the bone.

Adrian hugged Gillian to his side. “I love that you guys call yourselves that. Also, Levi is an art hog. I’m going on record with that. I wanted one of her large pieces for the new house and he used his relationship with the artist to get around me.”

Levi was Daisy’s boyfriend. He also happened to be an art collector, an ardent admirer of Daisy’s art and the most breathtakingly alpha male Jules had ever met. Daisy was a lucky woman, but it must have been tiring to manage a man like that.

“Commission something. That way she’s making it for you from the start. That’s what Cal does.”

“You’re brilliant, that’s what you are, Jules.” Adrian grinned and hugged her before Gillian did the same.

“Love you.” Jules squeezed Gillian’s hand.

“Love you right back. I’ll see you soon. Thanks for making my cake for my wedding. I like that. Makes me feel like I’m totally surrounded by love.”

“Stop that or you’ll make me sniffly.”

But, as she drove home, she realized Gillian had been right. Getting married at her new home with her soon-to-be husband, surrounded by people she loved and who loved her, the food by Mary, the cake by Jules, the rings designed by Daisy. Hell, the music would be all Adrian’s friends and apparently Miles too. A family affair. Like it should be.

• • •

Every night before she went to sleep, Jules meditated. She knew some of her friends thought it was loopy, but it worked for her.

Jules was not a naturally patient person. She could run toward bitchy sometimes. Meditating helped her manage her life, gave her time to reflect each day and think about the next. That appealed to the planner living inside her.

Her life was busy. Full of friends and work. It was a good thing to make herself slow down. Even if it was just a few minutes at the end of each day.

She took a shower and changed into her pajamas before settling in with her pillows. Her house was a rental, but it was perfect for her. Her brother had offered to sell their childhood home to her at a really great price. But she’d turned it down. She’d been given Tart and that was enough. And she didn’t want to live in the place where her mother’s heart had been so well and truly broken.

She could have lived in the apartment upstairs from Tart, but it was important to leave every day. To walk away and have her work life over. She liked that division. Of course she baked at home, but that was different. That was for pleasure.

She’d kept that apartment open just in case her mother wanted to come back and visit. She wanted her mom to always know she was welcome and had a place to hang her coat. Her mother had used it less and less as the years went by and lately Jules had been thinking of using it as an office space for Tart. Now that Mary and Daisy were there too, it would be good to have some desks with computers and phones.

But doing that would be an affirmative step. She’d be admitting her mother probably wasn’t coming back for more than a brief visit once every year or two. And Jules wasn’t sure she was ready to do that yet.

Growing up, Jules and her mother had been close, but something had shifted in their relationship when her father had made his declaration. When he’d stood up at the dinner table and announced he’d filed for divorce and would be marrying the girlfriend no one had known he’d had. Oh and that he’d knocked her up.

Her mother, who had always deferred to her father, who had taken her commitment to be his partner and helpmate seriously, had been filled with so much anger it had been astonishing.

It wasn’t that Jules didn’t understand why her mother would be so angry. She did. She’d been totally and utterly betrayed by her husband.

But it was impossible not to feel like she’d lost her mother in a lot of ways. Her mother had divested herself of so much of her old life, sometimes even her children, who, as Jules reminded her brother, were adults anyway. She was proud that her mother had reinvented herself after a terrible thing. But Jules missed her.

And in reaching out to try to bring her back into Jules’s life, their roles sometimes flipped and she found herself mothering her mother. Making sure she had enough money and was all right.

She didn’t tell anyone that part. Jules knew Gillian would frown. Gillian, the fiercest mother Jules knew, would be angry that Jules’s mother had—what Gillian would perceive as—walked away from her responsibilities as a mother.

Her brother had a relationship with their father that was even more strained than Jules’s own. Ethan had done the right thing, had given their mother half the money from the house sale and had used the rest for his own house in Oregon with his wife and their children. He’d retreated into his own family life. It wasn’t that he’d walled her out, but the distance did that anyway.

He was angry. Angry at their father, even seven years later. Angry at their mother, who’d extended a few weeks’ trip to a lifestyle of sorts. And he had children, children their mother rarely saw, though she did send them presents. It wasn’t the same, and Jules understood his anger. Felt it on his behalf.

So she’d taken that on too. Made sure she was part of her nephew’s lives. She called and Skyped, and at least every month or so headed down to Portland to spend time with them. In fact she’d be going down soon to celebrate her oldest nephew Connor’s birthday. Her mother was flying in to Sea-Tac and would be driving down with Jules.

Jules was looking forward to that time with her mom and also to spending the weekend with those two boys she loved so much.

It was good for her and her nephews, but she and Ethan had miles to go to get back to where they had been. And Jules wasn’t sure it was possible. He hurt and she couldn’t fix it.

Ethan couldn’t let go of what their father had done. Jules got it. He was a father now and she knew that every time their dad pulled crap, Ethan knew he’d never do anything of the sort to his own kids.

So she tried to be the buffer. Their mother wasn’t capable, their father wasn’t . . . well, she’d always sort of thought he wasn’t all the way formed as a person. Jules didn’t know if it made any difference other than giving her a headache and making her stomach hurt.

She shook her head to get past it all. Going over this again and again wasn’t relaxing, and relaxing was what she needed right then.

She blew out a breath and lit a few candles. There was no music but the sound of the rain on the roof.

She couldn’t own anyone else’s choices.

She had to accept her own path and walk it as honestly as she could.

She had to be open to all the joy her life could offer and try to get past hurts and resentments because they were not useful.

She had the family she’d made with Gillian and her other friends. She was loved and cared about. This was important to remember. Important to embrace and cherish because in the end, love was the perfect ingredient. Love was necessary, like oxygen.

She thought of Gideon and smiled. She had to be open to new people and things.

Cal’s face flashed through her mind. And she had to accept what people were willing to give if she was to keep them in her life.

She kept her focus and her breathing calmed and slowed and by the time she was finished, she was feeling far better than she had before. She grabbed her journal to write in it and headed to her bed.