“No!” I exclaimed. “Zoey, this is your wedding. The only one you’re ever going to have. Here,” I said, grabbing a napkin off the counter and fishing a pen out of my bag. “Jot down your notes so you don’t forget, then sit your butt down and start tasting cake.”
Zoey pouted a second longer, then looked at the row of delicious cakes in front of us and rubbed her baby bump.
“Okay,” she agreed as she started writing furiously.
I gave the baker a polite smile as I waited for my sister to get out what she needed to get out. She could be a little focused at times, especially when she was in the middle of a book, but I was really proud of everything she’d accomplished.
After a few minutes, Zoey shoved the napkin in her back pocket and said, “Ready.”
“Yay,” I replied with a smile. I couldn’t deny that I’d been excited about this day since Zoey told me we had to pick the flavor of her cake.
She and Gabe were having a simple ceremony in his backyard, with the reception being held in the barn. Since moving to Cherry Springs, Zoey was crazy about the idea of barn dances. She’d held her first one on Halloween, and had loved it so much that she’d begged Gabe to let her have another one as her reception. This one would be much more elegant, of course, but would be just the type of reception that would suit my sister.
“Oh my god,” I moaned when the soft buttercream hit my lips.
“Try the red velvet,” Zoey said, her eyes rolling back with pleasure as she slowly pulled the fork out of her mouth.
“No, this one, I think it’s lemon,” I argued as the sweet tangy cake burst with flavor in my mouth.
“You’re amazing,” Zoey told the baker, who was now basking in our praise.
“Seriously,” I agreed. “I want to take you home with me.”
The baker was smiling outright now, but Zoey and I were too busy practically licking the crumbs off plates to notice.
“How am I ever going to decide?”
“I don’t know, but at least you can guarantee that no matter which flavor you go with, it’s going to be awesome.”
“Mmmm hmmm.”
“Wow,” I said once we’d polished them all off. “That was the most action I’ve gotten in years.”
Zoey laughed, then her face turned sly and I started shaking my head at her.
“Oh, no, Zoey Zahn, don’t even think about it.”
“But, I can think of two guys right off the top of my head who would be perfect.”
“Perfect for what?”
“Whatever you want.”
I stared at my sister, wondering if she was trying to set me up on a date or get me laid, and really having a hard time denying that either one would be welcome right about now.
But, thinking better of it, I shook my head again.
“Things are too complicated right now,” I argued. “I just moved here. I’m still trying to find a place, get both Chris and I settled in school, find a job … I just don’t have time to date right now.”
“So, don’t date ‘em,” Zoey said with a wicked grin. “Let me set up a meet and then do … whatever you can fit into your schedule.”
I couldn’t help but laugh when she winked saucily.
“You have problems.”
“Nah, I just want to see you happy.”
“I am happy, Zo.”