1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Evie

"I know this cake is gorgeous, Evie," Jessica beams at me as she hands me her phone. "But I trust what you create will even be more beautiful."

My best friend and soon-to-be sister-in-law, Jessica Stewart, sits in my office at Bake My Day talking about wedding cake details. Sitting next to her and watching her every move with adoration is my brother Sean.

It's disgustingly sweet how in love they are, and I can't help but smirk as I remember a time, not too long ago, when they would've been sitting here across from me at each other's throats. I bring myself back to Jessica and look at her phone.

I gasp as I look at the picture. The wedding cake is breathtakingly gorgeous and one of the prettiest I've seen. The icing shimmers with a soft, pearlescent luster, with the bride's and groom's initials emblazoned on the bottom tier and crafted from silver fondant.

When did my grumpy best friend become this beacon of romantic happiness? Even as I ask the question, I know the answer. Sean has always been a happy romantic. It was no surprise when he started acting that he leaned toward romantic comedies. It's obvious that his sunshine is rubbing off on her.

"Well, you certainly know how to lay on the flattery," I tease her, a playful smile on my lips. Jessica's faith in my abilities is complimentary and humbling. With her phone in my hand, I study the image. The layers of pure white frosting, adorned with delicate sugar flowers and shimmering silver pearls, glistening under the bright lights.

I raise my eyes to meet Jessica's eager gaze. "Well, I must say, this cake is stunning. I'm excited to create something equally as exquisite, if not even more so, for you two on your special day."

I look at the couple across from me, making googly eyes at each other, and can't help but smile again.

Jessica has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Once you get past her prickly exterior, she's one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. And my brother Sean is one of the best people I know. I was beyond excited when the two realized that they were in love with each other.

I truly believe that Sean had every intention of helping Jessica find her perfect partner when he decided to put the "Get Jessica A Man" plan into action. He just didn't have any clue that it was him.

"Evie," Jessica begins, her voice soft, "I can't thank you enough for all the work you're putting into our wedding. Being the maid of honor is a huge responsibility, and the cake is a herculean task of its own."

"No need for thanks; you're my best friend, and I love you. It's my pleasure to help you and Sean have the best wedding. Besides I have incredibly talented staff who will be able to help with the cake and everything else you're having me cater." I say, dismissing her gratitude with a wave of my hand.

"Sometimes I forget about your staff," Jess replies, her eyebrows lifting playfully. "Remembering that you have help makes asking you for some help with other tasks easier."

I lean back in my chair, narrow my eyes, and tilt my head as I wonder what she has in store for me. "What kind of tasks are we talking about?"

"Oh, nothing major. Just a few things. First is wedding gown shopping with our moms of course. You and Penny need to be there." She says with excitement in her voice.

"When's that?" I noticed how she inserted just a few things without telling me what they were, but I don't worry too much about it. Sean is the one who's high maintenance, which means it can't be anything too crazy.

"This weekend." She looks at me, eyebrows raised, "That's enough notice, right?"

"No problem at all, Jess. I got this," I quip in a sassy tone, making them both chuckle.

Sean, with a hopeful smile on his face, turns to me and asks, "You're coming to the ugly sweater party and game night, right?"

"Of course! You know how much I love game night. The ugly sweater, not so much," I scowl, thinking about the perfect ugly sweater hanging in my closet. It's my go-to and has won me quite a few ugly sweater competitions .

"Yes!" He shouts, pumping a fist in the air. And I can't stop the smile crossing my face. His next words, however, have me scowling at him. "Please tell me that you have a new ugly sweater? Not that the one you have isn't perfect, but you've worn it for the last six ugly sweater parties."

"I only need one ugly sweater, Sean." I glare at him. "And as long as it still fits, I will wear it."

"Fair enough." The mischievous look in his eyes makes me wonder if he has something up his sleeve. Sean has been known to take matters into his own hands a time or two.

In spite of that, my scowl doesn't last long. Sean has a gentle charm that has made him one of the most popular movie stars in the world. His smile is infectious, radiating warmth and happiness. And right now, I find myself smiling, too, in spite of not trusting him as far as I can throw him.

I look toward Jess. "What other things do you think you'll need me to do?" If I didn't know my best friend so well I would have missed the conspiratorial look she just gave my brother.

"Just a few things," she waves her hand dismissively. "I'll let you know when they get closer, okay?"

"Sounds good." Jess is acting weird and I can't help but be suspicious, but I decide to dismiss it as just pre-wedding excitement.

"Aw, you're the best, Evie," Jess says, getting up from her chair and wrapping me in a tight, very unlike Jessica, hug catching me completely off guard. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd probably still have a great wedding, but I'm glad I can be a part of it." I give her an exaggerated wink, making her laugh out loud. "So, who's going to be at game night?"

"You know, the usual," Jess says casually, then looks to Sean as if she's second-guessing herself. "You did tell our parents, right?"

"I did. You know they would never miss game night," he says, eyes gleaming at his fiancé. A burning sensation runs across my chest, and I raise my hand to my heart. The unexpected feeling takes me by surprise, especially since I am genuinely thrilled for them. They are really too adorable in their love-struck state.

"Woah, earth to love birds!" I wave my hands as they get lost in their own world. With how much time they spend staring into each others' eyes, I wouldn't be surprised if they developed the ability to talk to each other telepathically. "Can we try to focus on the task at hand?"

Jessica and Sean both laugh, their faces flushed with amusement. "Sorry, Evie," Jess says playfully as her and Sean rub noses. "We can't help it!"

"Well, just save some of that love for the big day, okay?" I roll my eyes, then tease. "And while you're in my office, try to focus on the details we're discussing."

"I promise we'll have plenty for the wedding," Sean waggles his eyebrows at me, and I groan.

"And the wedding night," Jess says, looking at Sean as if she can't wait to devour him. Did I just say that my best friend and brother being together was cute? I was lying.

"Ugh," I groan. "Please, you two. You're killing me."

"When did you become such a grinch?!" Jess laughs, "I think that's my job?"

Sean laughs a booming laugh and I change the subject quickly. I know when I became a grinch, and I don't want to talk about it with them.

"About this game night, what about Penny and Liam?"

"Oh, they'll be there too, along with Jamie," Jess adds casually.

My heart skips a beat at the mention of him, and I wonder if he's back in town yet. The last time I spoke to him was when he told me he was taking a new job across the country. He didn't know how long he would be gone and thought it better if we took a break. I force a smile on my face.

"Oh, that's great. It's been ages since we all hung out together."

"Evie, you sound like you haven't talked to Jamie since he's been gone," Jessica's eyebrows pull together and her forehead furrows, and I realize that she's like a dog on a scent. I inwardly groan. "Did you not know he was coming home today?"

I open my mouth to respond just as Sean's phone rings, and I inwardly thank the universe for the interruption. Since Jamie and I were never officially a thing, I didn't think it was necessary to talk about what happened when he left. But with him being home, there are bound to be questions about the change in our friendship.

Just as I think we've successfully dodged the conversation, Sean's expression turns into a grin. "Speak of the devil."

My heart stops before it starts racing. My stomach swirls as my last conversation with Jamie fills my head. I sit there, rooted to the spot, working to school my expression.

In contrast, Sean is completely oblivious to the turmoil swirling within me as he happily chats with his best friend, the man who broke my heart.

"Hey, Jamie!" A smile splits his face. "Perfect timing! I'm sitting here with Jess and Evie, going over some wedding details."

Without warning, he presses the speaker button, broadcasting Jamie's voice throughout the bakery.

"Jess is talking wedding details?" His gruff voice is exactly how I remember it, making my stomach flutter. "I don't believe it."

"Hey! I can't help it if I'm so in love that I've suddenly become a romantic." Jess looks at Sean with tenderness before she leans over to kiss him.

"Ugh," I groan before I can stop myself.

"Are they kissing again?" Jamie asks, directing his question to me, making my heart drum against my ribcage.

"Always." A slight bitterness enters my tone as I respond. Sean and Jessica turn toward me with narrowed eyes, and I shrug. "Well, you are! "

"Evie," Jamie's voice is hesitant, making Sean and Jess narrow their eyes at the phone this time. "How are you?"

My name on his lips sends a shiver down my spine. As the silence lingers for a moment too long, Sean grimaces and tilts his head to the side, quickly picking up on the tension in the air. "Evie, is everything okay?"

I paste a smile on my face and clear my throat. "Hey, Jamie," I finally manage, my voice sounding strangely formal and distant. "I'm doing well. How are you?"