“Okay,” I said calmly. “I have some time. Where’s the frosting?”
She disappeared back into the kitchen and I heard the fridge open. “…Just knew something like this would happen. Told George something wasn’t right before we went to bed, but did he listen?” A moment later she was back, carrying an armful of supplies. “So the frosting is already mixed,” Katherine told me, quick to use my help. “You just need to make sure half of the cupcakes are frosted teal and the other half yellow. I have a few icing tubes with different piping tips you can use. Once they’re all frosted, I also have sprinkles that go on top.”
And just like that, I had a huge project on my hands. I thought it would be easy, but I’d never frosted two hundred cupcakes before. It took a lot longer than I thought. I was only about halfway done when I looked at the clock and panicked. I still needed to take a shower, get ready, and do Parker’s hair.
“Crap, crap, crap!” I said, as the frosting in the tube I was squeezing ran out. Refilling the tubes was the messiest and most frustrating part of the job.
“Jackie, are you okay?” someone asked.
I glanced up to see Cole. His hair was damp from a shower, and he was already dressed in his suit. When he leaned against the table, I realized he was eating a cupcake.
“Can you please not do that?” I snapped.
“Do what?” he asked me through a mouthful.
“Eat those! They’re for the wedding.” I yelled.
“Sorry,” Cole said quietly after swallowing. He looked away from me, and I was flooded with guilt. I shouldn’t take my frustration out on him, because none of this was his fault.
“Look, Cole, I didn’t mean to snap at you,” I said. “It’s just that I still have to get ready and help Parker, and this is taking forever.”
“Do you need help?” he asked after a second, completely catching me off guard.
“Thanks, Cole, but you’re already dressed. I wouldn’t want you to get your suit dirty.”
“That’s no problem.” He started to shrug out of his jacket. When that was off, his fingers began working the buttons on his shirt, and I couldn’t help but stare. Soon he was down to his dress pants and undershirt. “Okay, boss,” he asked, setting his clothes aside where they wouldn’t get dirty. “What do you need me to do?”
It took me a minute to regain my composure, but then I breathed a sigh of relief. “Here,” I said, handing him the empty icing tube. “If you could fill this with yellow frosting and start on that row over there, that would be amazing.”
“Sure thing,” he said, taking the tube from me. “And by the way, you have frosting on your nose.”
“Did I get it?” I asked, using the back of my hand.
“Here,” Cole said, stepping forward. He brought his finger up to my face and rubbed it off. Then he stuck his finger in his mouth and sucked away the frosting. “Got it.”
My cheeks went pink, and I turned back toward the table to hide my embarrassment. “Thanks,” I said, grabbing one of the sprinkle containers. “We should probably get to work.”
“Of course.”
I risked a quick glance in Cole’s direction. He was already spooning the yellow paste into the tube, his hands quick, but on his face was the classic Cole smirk. We both knew that he had gotten to me.
***
“Are you kidding me?” I complained to Nathan when we reached our assigned table. My name card was right between two boys—Cole and Alex, to be exact.
Will and Haley had already said “I do” in a ceremony by Katherine’s blooming garden, and cocktail hour had just ended. For dinner, there were two huge tents set up in the backyard, with enough room to seat all the wedding guests.
“This is going to be an enjoyable evening,” Isaac said. Rolling his eyes, he pulled back his chair.
I shot him a dirty look and turned to Danny. “Would you mind switching with Cole?” I asked.
Danny quickly sat down. “I’m sorry, Jackie,” he said, looking regretful. “I can’t.”
“Why not?” I asked, still hovering behind my spot. Was it really that hard to move one seat over?
“Well, you see…” He trailed off, almost as if he felt uncomfortable finishing his sentence. Then Danny grabbed the water glass next to his plate and took a long sip so he didn’t have to answer me.
“He doesn’t want to lose our bet,” Isaac said with a grin as he unfolded his napkin and set it on his lap.
“You made a bet?” I asked, whipping around to glare at Danny. Isaac was addicted to gambling, but for the most part the boys knew not to indulge him. This was so unlike Danny that it made me furious.
“I know I shouldn’t have,” Danny said, hanging his head. “But if I’m going to move to New York, I need some extra money.”
Sighing, I yanked back my chair and took my place. “Why didn’t you say something?” I demanded. “You know I’d be more than happy to help you.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want to owe you anything.”