Take Me. Part 3

"Cupcakes." My mother's voice is flat, but her smile is perky and falsely polite. She's speaking to Sally Love, the owner of Love Bites. It's one of the most popular bakeries in Beverly Hills. Sally has catered dozens of celebrity functions, has been featured in every food and dessert magazine known to man, and is a longtime friend of Damien's. She's also an artist with icing and a pleasure to work with.

I am terrified my mother is going to offend her.

Mother's smile stretches wider. "What a perfectly charming idea. And was that your suggestion?" she asks Sally.

"I believe in working with my clients to figure out exactly what they want, to make their event not only special but uniquely theirs."

"In other words, you don't feel bound by tradition or societal expectations?" Her words are venomous, but her tone and manner are so polite that it's hard to tell if she's being deliberately offensive or making genuine conversation. I know the answer because I know my mother, and I step in and flash my own perky smile.

"I'm completely in love with the cupcake idea. I saw it in a magazine and it seemed like the perfect way to combine tradition and whimsy." I turn to Sally, purposefully excluding my mother. "So we're good to go on the top tier, right?"

Sally grins, displaying rosy cheeks that make me think of Mrs. Claus and Christmas cookies. She's probably only ten years older than me, but there's something maternal and soothing about her. I can understand why she does so many wedding cakes. She can calm a nervous bride with nothing more than a look.

"We're all set," she a.s.sures me. "But we do need to narrow down the choices for the cupcakes." The plan is to have five different flavors of cupcakes-one for each of the tiers-so the guests can pick their favorite. Additional cupcakes-in case anyone wants seconds-will be scattered artfully on the table, mixed with the fresh wildflowers I have on order from the florist. Daisies and sunflowers and Indian paintbrushes that remind me of the incredible arrangement Damien sent me after the night we first met.

Sally nods to the table set up at the back of the storefront, elegantly draped in white linen. It's topped with a row of ten tiny cakes. "I thought you might want to refresh your memory."

I laugh. "Even if I'd already decided, you know I'd have to sit down and taste those." I glance at my mother as I head toward the table. "Do you want to try, too? They're all amazing."

Mother's brows lift sky high, and I wonder when my mother last had a carb that didn't come from a lettuce leaf or a gla.s.s of wine. "I don't think so."

I shrug. "Suit yourself," I say, and see my mother's lips purse as I settle behind the table. "More for me."

The first cake is a tiny cheesecake. It's Damien's favorite, and I restrain myself from taking a bite because I'm going to ask Sally if I can take it home for him. I can think of all sorts of interesting negotiations we could have if he's bargaining for cheesecake.

I smile as I taste the next cake, not because I'm a fan of red velvet, but because I'm imagining all those possibilities. The next is a deep, delicious chocolate that I savor with a moan that is almost s.e.xual. Sally laughs. "That cake gets that a lot."

"It totally stays," I say, then grin wickedly at her. "In fact, let's have a dozen packed up to take with us on the honeymoon."

We're laughing, and Sally's asking me about the honeymoon, and I'm telling her that it's a secret even from me-a Damien Stark surprise-when my mother clicks her way over on her nail-point heels. She stops in front of me, effectively ending my moment of bridal bonding with Sally.

"Chocolate, yellow, white," she says. "A pound cake. A cheesecake. If you insist on doing cupcakes at least stick with traditional flavors."

"I don't know," I say, taking a second bite of the cupcake I'm working on. "This one-b.u.t.ternut?-is to die for."

"It's very popular," Sally says. "But try the strawberry."

My mother reaches over and s.n.a.t.c.hes the fork out of my hand. For a moment, I'm fool enough to think that she's going to get in the spirit and try the cake. But all she does is point the tines at me. "Honestly, Nichole," she says, in a tone that leaves no doubt that I have committed some heinous sin. "Are you trying to ruin your wedding? Have you thought about your waist? Your hips? Not to mention your skin!"

She turns to Sally, who is clearly struggling to wipe the expression of appalled shock off her face. "Bless her little heart," my mother says, in a tone that practically drips sugar, "but my Nichole isn't a girl who can eat cake and then get into something as form-fitting as a wedding gown."

"Nikki is a lovely young woman," Sally says firmly. "And I'm sure she's going to look stunning at her wedding."

"Of course she will," my mother says, her voice sounding farther and farther from me. It's as if I'm sliding back, moving down some tunnel, away from her, away from Sally, away from everything.

"That's why I'm here," Mother adds, her tone entirely reasonable. "My daughter knows she has no self-control about things that are bad for her-cakes, candy, men," she adds in a stage whisper. "I've always been there to help her keep her eye on the prize."

"I see," Sally says, and I have a feeling she sees more than my mother wants.

As for me, even from the depths of this well into which I've fallen, I am seething. I want to leap out of my chair and tell my mother that she's never helped me, she's only manipulated me. That she's not interested in what I want, but only what I look like and how I act and if I'm presenting an image that stands up to the Fairchild name-a name that's not worth what it used to be since she took over-and decimated-the oil business that she inherited when my grandfather pa.s.sed away.

I want to say all of that, but I don't. I just sit there, my plastic smile on my face, hating myself for not moving. For not telling her to get the h.e.l.l back to Texas.

But what I hate even more is the fact that I'm now clutching the second fork in my hand, and it's under the table, and the tines are pressing hard into my leg through the thin material of my skirt. I don't want to-I know I need to stop, to stand up, to simply get the h.e.l.l out of there if that's what it takes-but whatever strength has been building in me over the last few months has scattered like dandelion fluff under the a.s.sault of a ferocious wind.

"Nikki," Sally begins, and I can't tell if the concern in her voice is because of my mother's speech or if she sees some hint of my struggle on my face. It doesn't matter, though, because her words are cut off by the electronic door chime.

I look up, then draw in a breath. The tunnel disappears and my vision returns. The fork tumbles from my hand to the floor, and I realize I've stood up.

It's Damien-and he is moving like a bullet toward me.

I head around the table, unconcerned about anything else. He stops in front of me, his face hard, his eyes warm but worried. "Turns out I could work the cake thing into my schedule, after all."

I try not to smile, but the corners of my mouth twitch, and I feel tears of relief p.r.i.c.k my eyes. "I'm glad."

He reaches out and strokes my cheek. "You okay?"

"I'm perfect," I say. "At least, I am now."

The worry fades from his eyes, and I know that he believes me. He takes my hand, then turns to face my mother. "Mrs. Fairchild. What a pleasant surprise," he says, in the kind of overly polite voice that suggests there's nothing remotely pleasant about this particular surprise.

"Mr. Stark-Damien-I-" She stops abruptly, and I am amused. My mother is very rarely rendered speechless, but the last time she and Damien met he sent her away, effectively getting rid of her by flying her back to Texas on one of his jets. And that was before she'd said the variety of nasty things she's since uttered about the two of us. I have to wonder if she doesn't now fear that her ride out of California this go-round will be significantly less pleasant.

Damien, however, is the picture of cultured politeness. "It was so kind of you to come with Nikki today. I think we both know how valuable your opinion is to her." My mother's eyes widen almost imperceptibly. I can tell that she wants to reply, to lash out with the sweet sting of words that she'd want to cut him as deeply as a blade has cut me, but they clearly don't come. I'm not surprised. My mother is formidable, but Damien is more so.

Her expression s.h.i.+fts from consternation to surprise when Jamie bursts into the bakery like a tornado. "I'm here! I'm here! Big ticky mark for the maid of honor!"

For a moment I think that she really is here simply because she promised me she'd try to make it to Love Bites on time. But when I see that it is not she looks to first, but Damien, I realize that he called her-and that she is part of the cavalry, too.

A moment later, Ryan Hunter, Damien's head of security, hurries inside as well, only to stop short when he sees Damien, then fall back toward the door, his eyes on my mother, as if she is a bomb about to go off. Laughter bubbles in my throat. I never felt loved by my mother. Damien not only makes me feel loved, but also cherished and protected and safe.

I understand what has happened, of course. Tony called Damien. Since Damien was in Palm Springs, he called both Jamie and Ryan in order to ensure there was someone with me to run interference. I squeeze his hand, then mouth, Thank you. The words are simple; the emotion is not.

He squeezes back, but his attention is focused on my mother. I look toward her, too, and as I do I realize that Sally has gracefully exited, leaving the drama of the showroom for the relative calm of the kitchen.

Damien's voice is firm as he addresses my mother. "Between Jamie and me, I think we have it covered. I'm sure you have unpacking to do. Why don't you let my security chief drive you to the hotel?"

"Don't be silly," my mother says. "I'm happy to stay." She smiles at me, and my stomach curls. "I want to spend time with my daughter."

"Awesome," Jamie says. "Today's her bachelorette party." She glances at her watch. "In fact we're supposed to meet the others girls at Raven in about half an hour. It's a strip club," she adds in a stage whisper. "It's going to be awesome. Wanna come?"

My mother goggles at her, and it takes all my power not to laugh. I know Jamie is joking-I specifically told her I didn't want to do the bachelorette thing-but in this moment it would almost be worth going through with it.

"Um, no. Thank you. I-" Her eyes cut to Damien. "I suppose I should get settled."

"I keep a suite at the Century Plaza hotel," Damien says. "I insist you stay there."

"Oh, no. I wouldn't want to be any trouble."

He doesn't say what I know he is thinking-You've already been that. Instead, he graces her with his most formal corporate smile. "No trouble at all. In fact, your car is already there. You're all checked in."

I see the confusion on Jamie's face-she's been staying at the Century Plaza suite.

"Oh. I see. Well, then." My mother turns her attention to me. "I'll go with you tomorrow to the dress fitting," she says, and I remember with regret that I'd nervously prattled off my schedule for the week as I drove us from Malibu to Beverly Hills.

"Sure," I say, though what I really want is to scream that there is no way in h.e.l.l I want her in my head as I try on my wedding dress. "That would be great."

Damien is looking at me questioningly, and I shrug in reply. Part of me wants him to step in and send her packing. But she is my mother, and another part of me-the secret, buried part that I don't like to take out and examine too closely-wants to have her at my wedding. Wants to have her hold me and tell me she's sorry for all the years of horror and drama.

I want it, but I do not expect it. Yet still that flame of hope is alive, and I feel it flickering inside me.

"Ryan will take you," Damien says to my mother. I glance at Ryan and watch as he turns his attention away from Jamie to this new a.s.signment. I turn to look at my best friend. Her expression suggests that she's oblivious to Ryan's attention, but there's an unfamiliar color to her cheeks, and as she watches him lead my mother out the door, I can't help but wonder.

Jamie crosses the room to join me at the table, then picks up the red velvet cake with her fingers and takes a huge bite. "You realize that there's no way I'm sharing a suite with your mother."

I laugh. "Neither of you would survive."

"I had Tony pack your things when he delivered Mrs. Fairchild's car," Damien says. "You're staying in Malibu with us."

Jamie does a fist pump. "Score!"

My smile is so wide it almost hurts. "Thanks for having my back," I say to Damien.

"Always." The softness in his eyes hardens a bit. "Do you want me to send her back to Texas?"

I almost say yes, but then shake my head. "No. I'm getting married, and she is my mother. I'm strong enough to handle it," I say, in response to his reproachful look.

"You are," he agrees.

"And there was a moment-" I shake my head, thinking about the way she'd talked about Ashley's wedding, and the vulnerability that I'd seen in her eyes.

"What?" Damien is looking at me intently.

"I just think that, despite all the Elizabeth Fairchild nonsense, part of her really does want to be here for me on my wedding day."

For a moment, Damien only looks at me, his hands on my shoulders. Then he leans forward and captures my mouth with the sweetest of kisses. When he pulls away, I expect an argument. I expect him to recite an itemized list of every horrible thing my mother has done to me, to us. I expect him to point to his own father, whom neither of us want at this wedding. h.e.l.l, I expect him to talk some sense into me.

Instead, he says simply, "Be careful."

I swallow and nod, because I know that he's right to be concerned.

Once again, the door chimes, but this time I do not know the man who enters. He is drop-dead gorgeous, with dark hair highlighted by gold and red. He carries himself with a Damien Stark kind of confidence, and when his gaze sweeps the room, I see both calculation and intelligence in his sharp, gray eyes.

"We should finish up with Sally and get going," I say to Damien. "She's got other customers to deal with."

"I'm sure she does," he replies, "but Evan isn't one of them. He's with me."

"Holy c.r.a.p," Jamie says, "do you travel in packs?"

Damien frowns, and I almost laugh. There aren't many people who can knock him off kilter. "What are you talking about?" he asks.

"Never mind," Jamie says, waving her hand as if wiping the words away. But she turns her attention to me, and I nod slightly. I have understood her perfectly, because this guy is hot. Maybe not Damien Stark hot, I think loyally, but he's got some serious sizzle going on.

"Evan Black, let me introduce you to my fiancee, Nikki Fairchild, and her best friend, Jamie Archer."

Evan strides across the room to join us. He shakes my hand, then Jamie's. I can't help but notice that she holds on a moment longer than is necessary.

"Congratulations," Evan says to me. "I knew the first time he talked about you that one day you two would be married. I wish you all the best."

"Thank you," I say, looking curiously at Damien. He's never mentioned this man before.

"I've known Evan for years," Damien says. "He lives in Chicago-we had a drink when I flew out there a few months ago," he adds.

"We met when we were both looking to acquire a failing business," Evan adds.

"Who got it?" I ask.

"Damien," Evan says, without regret. "But today it's my turn."

That I don't know what he means must be obvious by my expression. "Evan's acquiring the galleries," Damien says, referring to the art galleries that Giselle Reynard recently transferred over to him. "We were in Palm Springs examining the items in storage, and Evan's going to come to Malibu tomorrow to take a look at the main property."

"I have a few other things to take care of while I'm here," Evan says, "but I'm honored to have been invited to the wedding. I'm very happy for both of you."

"Thank you," I say, noticing that Jamie is still peering at him with interest. This is something that needs to be nipped in the bud. Not only is Jamie supposed to be backing away from men, but considering Evan is Chicago-bound, he could be nothing more than a fast f.u.c.k. And that is so not what my best friend needs.

Jamie pulls out her phone and makes a face, then looks at me. "We need to hurry," she says. "We're going to be late."

"Late? For what?"

She rolls her eyes. "I told you. We're meeting the girls at Raven," she says, referring to a male strip club in Hollywood.

"Raven," Damien says, his brows lifting.

"Um, h.e.l.lo?" Jamie says. "Bachelorette party. Alcohol. Mostly naked gorgeous men." She looks him up and down. "Not that she doesn't already have that in her life, but still. This is the night to be naughty."

"It's only barely past lunchtime," I say stupidly.

"I know," Jamie says. "That's when there's less of a crowd. More attention for us."

Oh my.

I glance toward Damien, but this is one of the few times when I cannot read his expression. My gaze s.h.i.+fts toward Evan. He is easier to read, as he's not even trying to hide his amus.e.m.e.nt.

"I told you I didn't want a bachelorette party," I say. "And I have stuff to do today. The music. The photographer," I remind her, then grimace when I see Damien's brows rise again. d.a.m.n. My little lie earlier has been soundly caught out.