Page 109 of Bound To Be Mine

“That’s because you’re in love with him.”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “I really am.”

The alarm on my phone went off. I groaned and shook my head. “I have to go deal with this groomzilla. We’re going to have to have guests sign waivers before they eat this diabetes-inducing cake.”

“Come on. You’re Mandy Carter. You eat groomzillas for breakfast.”

“I wish that were true.”

We said our goodbyes and I was off to the bakery. It was a small boutique operation run by a woman named Marie who made the most incredible cakes I’d ever tasted. She catered to the rich and sometimes famous. Her cakes were not the basic chocolate or vanilla. They were exquisite. No dry, boring cakes. She was already waiting when I arrived, looking as exhausted as I felt. I hated that I had to come to her with more drama, but she was used to it. When you catered to the type of people we did, there were always those that tended to be just a bit more… exacting.

“Did you make it?” I asked.

I had called her yesterday when I got the phone call and told her what I needed.

Marie grimaced. “I did. I’m almost afraid to put my name on it.”

“I know. I agree it’s a lot. They’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”

When they arrived, I immediately picked up on the tension. The bride was clearly not happy about the change in the cake situation.

“Mandy!” The groom’s voice was higher than usual, which was never a good sign. “We have a situation.”

“Another one?”

“The napkins.”

I took a deep breath. “What about the napkins?”

“They’re the wrong shade of cream.”

“We ordered antique cream. That’s what you approved.”

“I know, but now that I’m looking at them next to the tablecloths, they’re too yellow. We need ivory.”

I closed my eyes and counted to five. “Okay. I’ll handle it.”

“And the programs⁠— “

“What about the programs?”

“The font. It’s too modern. We need something more classic.”

“We approved that font three months ago. I don’t think we can get the printer to change them this close to the wedding.”

“I know, but I’ve been thinking we could pay a rush fee. “

“I’ll handle it,” I said again, keeping my voice calm. “I’ll get you new samples by Friday.”

“Thank you, Mandy. You’re the best.”

I forced a smile. “Let’s eat cake.”

The rest of the day was a blur of phone calls and meetings. More fires to deal with, but at least the cake was settled. By the time I got home, it was late. It felt strange to walk into my empty house. I checked my phone for the first time in two hours. There was a missed call from Briggs and several texts. I messaged him back, but I didn’t call. It was one in the morning in New York. He’d be asleep.

We’d catch up in the morning.

I hoped.