Page 40 of The Baker and the Kraken

Adam’s eyebrows had quirked. “Of course there’s going to be a fabulous wedding cake. I’m going to make it.”

Simon had rolled his eyes. “Okay, yes, because you are the master of all things delicious, you’ll make your own cake. But this needs to be a celebration! This needs to be something you’re going to remember forever!”

Bonding would be something Calder would never be able to forget a single moment of, but they had nevertheless somehow wound up helpless against Simon’s enthusiasm and determination.

There was therefore decor to pick out and invitations to send despite the fact that Calder had no family and Adam’s found family all worked with him. There were flowers to compare, rings to design, suits to nitpick over—including tie colors and pocket square colors—and wedding favors to decide on.

Adam stared at Simon in horror when he announced the venue.

“The koi pond patio?” Adam repeated. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Come on,” Simon cajoled. “It’s where the two of you met! Doesn’t it have fond memories?”

Calder would always cherish the moment that they’d finally found one another, but he was well aware that taking a header into a cake was not what Adam considered his finest hour.

Thankfully, Simon then proceeded to laugh hysterically and splutter about Adam’s face being utter perfection.

Adam relaxed suddenly. “Oh, thank all the gods, you’re joking.”

Simon brushed tears of laughter out of his eyes, still grinning like a fool. “Of course I’m joking. Obviously, the ceremony will be on the water. I already found a yacht that charters for weddings.”

Simon could actually be very thoughtful. (It had probably also helped that Calder had said price was no object as long as Adam was happy.) They hadn’t told anyone about Calder being a mythical shifter yet, but Simon had seen him in his animal shifter form as a market squid and thought him utterly adorable.

They’d even had a cake testing.

“But we already know Adam is going to make a delicious cake,” Calder protested.

Simon looked at him like he was a fool. “A cake testing is an occasion where we get to sample lots of different cakes.”

Oh. Yes, well, when he put it like that. But he’d felt he had to protest: “I don’t want to make Adam work extra.”

Adam had just kissed his cheek. “I love baking, you know that.”

And so one afternoon, they’d closed the shop, Adam had baked up a storm, and then Calder, Simon, Evie, Maggie, Joseph, Liv, and Ryan—the new shifter who was apprenticing to Adam—all sat at the little tables in the front and tasted a truly astonishing array of cakes. (Adam had made them in mini cupcake form.)

It quickly became clear that the event really had nothing to do with picking the cake for the wedding, since they all agreed that anything Adam made would be delicious, and it was simply about enjoying Adam’s culinary genius.

Adam only tripped and sent a tray of cupcakes flying once.

“Ooh, practicing for when you get to smash cake in your husband’s face!” Simon cheered. “I like the way you think.”

And although Adam was pink-cheeked with embarrassment, he was smiling, too.

Yes, Calder decided, Simon could do whatever he wanted for their wedding. He was an excellent friend.

Even if it meant Adam smashed cake into Calder’s face.

Alcohol didn’t affect him, so Calder offered to be the designated sober person for the stag event. They had thankfully been able to convince Simon that they wanted to spend the evening together.

With a wink, Calder said, “Though I sincerely hope that you haven’t organized any such thing, even if you’re planning lap dances from hot, nearly naked twinks for Adam, I’d prefer that we spend it together.”

Adam looked horrified at the idea. “I will somehow knee them in the groin, and it will end in tears. Please, please tell me there are no nearly-naked dancers.”

Simon liked to tease a lot, but he always came through for them. They had a light brunch, then went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. (Calder had already made sure that the marine life were well-treated, and the cephalopods especially had a tendency to come out and see him which made every tank they looked at entertaining for everyone.) Afterwards, they had a lovely seafood dinner, then walked the beach as the sun set. And finally, they went to a gay club for a couple hours where they saw a fabulous drag show and then went dancing. Adam didn’t drink, either.

“I’m clumsy enough as it is. Alcohol absolutely doesn’t make it better,” Adam pointed out with a wry smile.

The others didn’t drink too much, and they all danced together, no matter how many times Adam trod on their feet.