“Hey you guys. How's the birthday boy?” I ask, making my voice as cheery and upbeat as possible.
This should be a good experience for this woman and her son, and I need to keep it that way.
“He's good,” she answers, looking down at her son and ruffling his hair. “We're super excited to see how the cake came out.”
“I can't wait to show you. Give me on second, I'll go grab it.”
“Who's that?” Vanessa asks, her brows dropping hard. “We're not even open yet, who took a cake order?”
“I know, I know, but they came in, and you know as well as anyone you should never turn down the chance for home grown advertising.”
“True,” she says.
“So. . .” I pause, and step into the walk-in fridge.
Coming back out, I'm holding a giant, three layer, swirly blue cake. The frosting looks like the ocean, full of light and dark blues, with white caps on the ruffled edges. Using fondant, I created a rice crispy whale that's spouting a sugar glaze water stream from the air hole.
“I made this.”
“You made that?” Her jaw hangs open as she comes to my side and examines the cake. “Jesus, Misty, when was the last time you baked? College?”
“No,” I say mockingly, and casually shrug a shoulder. “I've made a few cakes over the years for people. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a little boy's day.”
Pushing the door open with my butt, I spin around. “What do you think?” I ask.
The boy gushes, excitedly jumping up and down in place. “Wow! You see that, Mommy? It's awesome!”
“Happy Sixth Birthday, Jameson. Hey, she even spelled your name right.”
“She did! It's so cool!” He's examining the cake, his eyes huge and wide.
“Good, I'm really happy you like it.” I feel good right now, proud to make someone's day. To give to someone who needed it.
“Are you sure I can't give you anything for it. It's really so beautiful, I don't feel right just walking out without giving you at least a little for it.”
“No, I told you I'd make you a cake and that's what I did. Just remember us the next time someone else needs a cake.” Winking, I smirk, and the woman nods and laughs.
“Excuse me,” Jameson asks, looking up at me. “Where's your husband?” he shifts his head around the room, searching for someone.
“Who?” I'm confused for a moment, and I'm sure my face shows it.
He looks back over his shoulder, and then tries to stand on his toes to look behind the counter. “Your husband. Did he see my cake? Did he like it?”
“My husband?”
Arching a brow, the boy grins and rolls his head on his shoulder. “Yeah, the man that was here? He has to be your husband, you look at each other like my mommy and daddy do.”
Nick. . . He's talking about Nick.
“Oh, no, he's not my husband. We're just friends, but he did love your cake.” Folding the box top closed, I hand it over to his mother. “He actually wants me to make him the same one for his next birthday.”
“Ha!” Jameson laughs out loud, and shakes his head. “He's too old for a cake like this. Maybe one a little smaller, but not like this.”
“Yeah, I told him the same thing.”
His mom takes his hand and gives me a very grateful look. “Thank you so much for this, this is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for us. The cake is beautiful.”
“It's my pleasure, I mean six is a big year, you're almost old enough to get a job.”
The boy shakes his head and frowns. “I don't think so, I can't even see in the mirror without my stool.”
We all laugh, and the woman thanks me again, and leads him out. Standing back, I let myself enjoy this moment. I'm warm, happy, and tingling all over. But it's not just because of doing something nice for someone.
It's because this boy could see what I feel, he could see what Nick feels, he could see what I'm denying the both of us from having.
I can't do this. I can't pretend.
I love Nick Torro.
Throwing open the kitchen door, Vanessa stands up straight, a look of surprise on her face.
“I can't do this,” I exclaim, keeping my eyes on hers. “Vanessa, there's something I need to tell you.”
“Go on, then.” Her voice is slightly shaky and unsure. “What's going on?”
“I've fallen for Nick, like really, really fallen for him. I think I love him.”