Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
“You don’t like it?”
“Obviously I love hair. Haven’t you seen the men in my life?”
“You better be talking about the cats,” he says, and I snort a laugh.
Mace’s face isn’t the only place he has hair. God, he killed me when we went to the beach. He has the perfect amount of chest hair, and I loved that he didn’t shave like all the other guys. They all looked shiny as they tried to show off their six-packs, but that’s never been my thing. The whole pretty-boy look has never done it for me.
“I still can’t believe the two of you are getting married in only a week. That’s insane.” Chef Jade appears with another set of small cakes for us to try. “Love at first sight?”
“You have no idea,” Mace answers before I can correct her, and then he shoves a forkful of cake into my open mouth.
I understand why she thinks it’s our wedding. I’ve been gushing over every idea she’s had when it comes to the design of the cake.
“How can I pick? This one is wonderful too,” I moan and wonder if this is what hell feels like.
“That’s the great thing about having so many tiers,” Jade reminds me.
“Okay, good point.”
“Going off the number of guests, we’re going to have extra sheets of cake made in the back to pull slices from. But this is what I’m thinking.” Chef Jade lays a piece of paper on the table for me, and I’m already nodding.
“This is beautiful.” The cake has five tiers total with three at the bottom. They stack, but the next two float above them, and the only thing that connects them is a vine of flowers. “How is it—”
“Floating?” She laughs. “The vine of flowers holds a piece inside that keeps the next two levels in place.”
“It’s breathtaking. All of it.” I was all over the place when telling her my idea, but she took it further than I could have dreamed of.
“I’ll start the darker metallic color at the bottom and let the color slowly fade as it moves up and calms. It’s not only because of the ocean’s tide and to keep somewhat of a beach theme, but…” Her eyes bounce between Mace and me. “I think it works in more ways than one.”
“The tide always comes back. It’s never far,” I whisper, and Jade smiles, turning to head back into her kitchen. I must have gotten it right.
“Water is the one thing you can’t stop. There is no fighting it, and it takes what it wants,” Mace says as he looks at the design.
“I suppose it does.” I stare into Mace’s eyes and realize he’s a lot like a tide. Always on the edges and if you’re not paying attention, it’s right on top of you trying to sweep you away. “Why did you let her think we’re getting married?” I ask him before Chef Jade can come back. I invited her to the wedding, and to my surprise, she said she’d be there. I almost fell out of my chair. “You know she’ll be there, so she’ll know it’s not us. I still can’t believe she accepted my invite.”
“Does anyone ever tell you no, Briar?” he asks, and I think about his question for a moment.
“Meadow does.”
“I’m guessing when you come up with a crazy idea?” He smirks.
“Maybe.” I steal another bite of cake, and although my stomach is starting to hurt, I don’t care. “No one is around to stop me now. Who knows what shenanigans I might get into?” I joke. At least I think I’m joking. I can go overboard at times, and Meadow always pulls me back like my tether.
“I still think you should move in with me.”
“What!” I jump back, almost falling off my chair for the second time. “I thought that was a joke!”
“Why? I live next to your sister and have lots of room.” Wait, Mace and Heath live next to each other? Meadow told me about Heath’s place, and it sounds like a dream home for a family.
“I was thinking about getting a roommate,” I toss out because I can’t live with Mace. That would end badly. It’s hard enough when we’re in beach houses next door to each other.
“You’re not getting a roommate.”
“Hey, you’re not the boss of me. I already put a listing up.” I grab my phone out of my purse because I should check on that. I listed an email for people to contact me with.
“What the hell are you talking about? You put an ad up for a fucking roommate online!” Mace booms, and I look up to see his pissed-off expression. The easygoing Mace that had taken over his body for the last twenty-four hours is gone.
“Lovers’ quarrel? I said you can have multiple flavors.” Jade reappears with another sheet of paper. “I need you to fill in the flavors you have in mind here, and that should do it. Just go over it and leave it on the counter. I’ve got to get back into the kitchen.”