Take Me Home Tonight (28 page)

“You're not impressing those judges with sprinkles on your cakes,” Jo said.

“Not the grocery store kind. The ones you have to special order. Pastel disks and polka dots. Sanding sugar in lavender and pink, white and pale blue.” She spun around to Jo. “Can
you teach me how to make fluffy white frosting? Not buttercream, but something fluffy?”

“Sure. You make it like a meringue. Sugar, water, egg whites.” Jo looked to Lee with an expression that said,
Any idea where she's going with this?

But Lee just smiled and headed for the refrigerator. “This is going to be so much fun.”

In her mind she saw bay window seats with blue and white toile cushions. Walls painted the palest peach, like the inside of a shell. Tin ceiling tiles. Wrought iron café tables and pink and white striped paper straws. Old-fashioned milkshake glasses.

This would be an awesome bakery.

A clatter had her turning to find Jo setting down a copper bowl and a whisk. Lee came out of the pantry with a dusty storage container. When she set it on the counter, she pulled off the top and revealed the most amazing array of toppings and sprinkles.

Lee tipped the box so Mimi could see inside. “Like these?”

She couldn't believe the variety. Sprinkles in orange and black, red and green, pink, red, and white, every holiday represented. But then she saw the pastel-colored ones. Just like she'd imagined. She pulled those out. “This is it. We've hit the motherlode.”

“Oh, honey, you have no idea. My mom and I love baking.” Her features twisted with sadness—but it was more reminiscent than tortured. “We used to do this with Hopper.”

Jo froze. The slightest tremble in her hands made Mimi look to Lee, but her gaze was trained on her mom. The room went dead silent as Jo pulled in a shuddery breath and reached for a glass jar of polka dot sprinkles. For a long moment she just stared at it, and Mimi could only imagine the crush of memories bearing down on her. Then Jo lifted it, stared at it for a moment, and said, “To Hopper.” She blinked a couple times, her features pulling in tight. “My baby boy.”

The sharp bite of tears stung her eyes, but Mimi found her voice. “To Hopper.”

Lee picked up a jar of sprinkles shaped like bats. Her eyes glittered. “To Hopper.”

Jo reached for her daughter, belted her arms around her, and tucked her faced into Lee's neck. When Mimi turned away to give them privacy, Lee grabbed her shirt, tugging her toward them. Jo's arms went around her, bringing her into the circle. She smelled of vanilla and warm butter.

“Love you, Mommy.”

“Love you, too, my sweet girl.”

Mimi was so deeply sorry for their loss. At the same time, her heart had never felt so full. What a gift to be welcomed into this incredibly loving and loyal family.

She'd questioned her involvement with them so many times, but it was all right.

Thankfully, it had turned out all right.

*   *   *

Day
four of Bake-a-palooza, Mimi pulled the salted caramel
pots de crème
out of the oven and looked for counter space in Slater and Emmie's kitchen. But she couldn't find any. She'd have to move into the dining room.

“Mimi?” The front door slammed and heels click-clacked on the wood floor.

“Kitchen.”

Violet appeared, wearing a pretty sundress and kitten heels and carrying a garment bag. Pausing for a moment, she took in the mess. “What the . . .” Then she moved into the room, her gaze going from one counter to another, to the table and then the chairs. “Have I died and gone to heaven?” She hung the bag off the laundry room door.

Heading to the nearest counter, Violet lifted a dark chocolate cupcake with fluffy white frosting and polka dot sprinkles in the watery colors of dyed Easter eggs. Meringue-covered tarts sat next to parfaits of rum-soaked lady fingers and whipped cream. “I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life. It's like I walked onto a movie set.”

“I'm trying as many variations as I can.”

“Yeah, but the way you decorated them.” She showed her the cupcake. “Can I eat this?”

“Of course. Help yourself. What the guys don't eat, I thought I'd bring to the shelter.”

Violet moaned. “Oh, my God. It tastes as good as it looks.”

Mimi had given herself odd challenges, working with ingredients that wouldn't normally go together. And then she'd had a blast decorating, thanks to Lee and Jo. After hours of experimenting the other day, the three of them had come up with gorgeous, fanciful presentations with polka dots, stripes, and pastel-colored stars. Today she'd added wildflowers.

“It's so . . . whimsical.” Violet reached for a sugar cookie with glittering lavender sugar crystals on top. “Can I have this for my wedding?”

“Sugar cookies?”

“No. This.” She gestured around the room, every counter and table. “This . . . whimsy.” Then, she set the cookie down, wiped her hands on a kitchen towel, and reached for her dress. “You won't believe this.”

She unzipped the bag to reveal a wedding gown. Pushing the edges of the bag off the hanger, she exposed the dress fully. A strapless beaded bodice gave way to a fluffy full skirt made of tulle cut petals.

It was stunning and fanciful and, yes, totally whimsical.

“Oh, my God.” Mimi ran her fingers over the pearlescent beads on the top. “It's perfectly you.”

“I know.” She said it reverently in a whisper, before turning to the counters. “And this? This just fits so perfectly.”

“So, that's our theme? Whimsy?”

“That's our theme.”

A bark of laughter drew their attention outside as the guys spilled out of the studio, striding across the grass with all their masculine swagger. Cleaned up and bright-eyed, Gus looked happy to be back at work.

“Did you make dinner?” Violet quickly tucked the dress back into the garment bag.

“We're grilling tonight. Burgers, dogs. Keeping it simple . . . and out of the kitchen.”

The guys approached the house, talking, laughing, so clearly enjoying each other. And even though Calix walked a few feet away from them, he laughed, too.

She hated the distance he kept. While the others would come into the house, wash up, and eat dinner, he'd go home to gather his family around a table. She understood. It gave him breathing room to remind his mom she was loved and needed.

At least Mimi knew she'd get him for a few hours at night.

Just as Gus, Terrence, and Calix broke away from the others and started off down the driveway, Calix glanced up to the window. A pulse fluttered in her throat when his steps faltered. And then he stopped, turning fully to her.

When Terrence realized his son wasn't with him, he swung around, called out to him. But Calix didn't take his gaze off her. She could see the conflict flicker across his features—the part of him that felt compelled to go home, make sure his family sat together for dinner—and the part that wanted to be with her.

Why
couldn't
he choose her? It didn't have to be all the time. She didn't want to be petty, but why couldn't he spend a whole night with her every now and then?

And then one half of his mouth curled into a wicked smile. Her heart beat faster as he waved off his dad and brother. “Go on without me,” she thought he said as he headed for the house.

He took the stairs in a leap, pushed open the door, and came right to her. Scooping her off the ground, he burrowed his face in her neck.

She clung to him, feet dangling, arms clasped around his shoulders. Was he shaking?

He pulled back to look at her, dark eyes sparkling with happiness. “Hey.” She was unused to seeing her big, fierce guy so easy in his heart.

She kissed him sweetly, warmly. “Hungry?”

“What'd you make?”

She wriggled free. “Really? You'll stay if I've made something you like?”

“I'll stay 'cause this is where I want to be.”

Oh. Oh, yes
. That was what she wanted to hear.

“Wait a damn second.” Ben stuffed a muffin into his mouth,
his fingers tipped with frosting to indicate he'd sampled other treats. “What the hell kind of voodoo you got?”

“What?” Mimi stuttered out a laugh.

“Since when's Calix such a pussy?”

Calix nabbed a cookie, shoved it in his mouth. As he chewed, he took in the baked goods all around him. “What's this?”

“She baked.” Violet sat on Derek's lap, his arms around her, his big hand cupping her hip. “Isn't it the prettiest stuff you've ever seen?” she asked her fiancé.

Derek kissed her like he didn't have a crowd around him. “Beautiful.”

“Good. Because we're doing this for the wedding.”

“Doing what?” Derek sounded confused. “Dessert?”

“No. Whimsy.” Violet waved a hand with a flourish, indicating all that Mimi had made.

“Cool.”

“You couldn't care less.”

“I care.” He stroked the hair off her face. “About marrying you. The rest . . .” He shrugged. “I just want you happy.”

“I'm happy.” Violet smiled sweetly.

Calix reached for a cookie, brushed the sugar crystals off, and popped it in his mouth. After a few chews, he cocked his head.

Mimi smiled. “Instead of shortening I used a paste of coconut milk, banana, and applesauce with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. What do you think?”

“I think you're going to win this thing.”

She loved his total belief in her. “You want me to pack up some goodies to take home with you?” She started piling her treats on a plate, but he slid his arms through hers and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her back to him.

He nuzzled her neck. “Don't need dessert, sweet pants.”

Head nestled under his chin, hands pressed to his warm forearms, she whispered, “What do you need?”

“Got everything right here.”

Emotion rose like a tide, overflowing the banks of her heart. Her senses swam with all that was Calix—his scent,
his heat, the strength of his arms around her. She turned and pressed against him. And right there, in front of everyone, she gave him her heart in a kiss.

His mouth opened to her, and his hands slid down her back and cupped her ass. He was letting her in all the way, opening to her, and she almost couldn't stand so much happiness.

When the kiss deepened, when the thread of decency frayed, he lifted her and carried her into the laundry room. The door slammed with a kick of his boot. She landed on the washing machine, Calix's body stepping between her legs, his fingers pushing her hair back from her face.

His mouth claimed hers. Tongue seeking, stroking, rendering her mindless. She was nothing but a wash of electric heat.

Something deep within started wriggling free, working its way to the surface, forcing her mind to wake up and take notice.

And then it emerged, easing the tight knot of worry and fear lodged deep inside her chest.

I love him.

I
love
him
.

God, she loved Calix Bourbon so much.

And tonight he'd given her hope.

He'd taken one step away from his guilt and toward her.

Without the hay bales, the barn was much larger than Mimi had realized. She, Jo, and Lee had hung slender tree branches from the rafters and draped them with tiny white lights. Pastel-colored Chinese paper lanterns dangled at different heights and a massive garland of wildflowers bordered the perimeter of the ceiling. Thick satin ribbons in lavender, pale blue, pink, and creamy yellow trailed down, rippling from the fans they'd placed in the corners of the room.

Pale pink rose petals splashed across each table, and the centerpiece consisted of a miniature copper water trough overflowing with beach roses and baby's breath.

“Where do you want these?”

The guys came into the barn carrying the funky desserts, and Mimi showed them the folding table draped with white tulle.

“This is so cool, Meems,” Cooper said,

“Thanks.”

“You know what we forgot?” Lee came in wearing leggings, a white T-shirt, and a black vest. “The birds.” She looked relieved when she saw the guys. “Oh, yay. Can you guys help me unload the truck?”

“Lee, you're not even dressed,” Mimi said. “Forget about the birds.”

“No way. Why have the branches without the wildlife? Besides, the guys'll help us put the birds up. Right, guys?”

“I'll help you.” Ben's strangely serious tone had everyone stopping what they were doing to turn and look.

Lee beamed up at him. “Thanks.”

Color washed across Ben's cheeks, and he rushed out of the barn. When he noticed no one had followed, he turned back. “Guys, let's go.”

Mimi caught the smiles between them as they took off after Ben and Lee.

*   *   *

A
warm breeze stirred the tulle petals of Violet's dress and blew back the long wavy strands of her dark hair. They'd all decided to go with beach waves for this casual affair.

Mimi had wrapped her friend's bouquet of camellias with white, pink, and lavender satin ribbon, which fluttered and danced. In her hair, she wore a wreath of pale pink beach roses.

She looked radiant.

Bracketed by Mimi and Slater, Violet and Derek faced each other, the guests filling the newly built white gazebo. The sweet, earthy scent of wildflowers swirled around them. It couldn't have been more lovely—well, unless the Bourbons had decided to attend. They hadn't wanted to intrude on the intimate affair. But they'd promised to come to the reception.

Mimi's beautiful and elegant mom, Francesca, acting as officiant, spoke quietly to the guests. “The bride and groom had one request. Not a lot of
blah blah blah
.”

Everyone smiled.

“Typical,” Coop said.

Francesca continued. “So, to get to the heart of the matter, I thought I'd share my own well-earned lessons with you.” She turned to the groom with a soft smile. “Derek, your love for Violet shines through everything you do and say. But never take it for granted. Nurture it. Court her, Derek. No matter how much life heaps on you, never stop courting your
wife. Every day find one kind, true thing to say to her. Let her know whether in word or gesture that you love her and are thinking about her. Every day of your marriage, give one hundred percent of yourself. Don't hold back, waiting for her to give you what you want—give
her
what you want to receive. I guarantee you'll get it back tenfold. Every gesture of kindness, of consideration, of love you make toward one another forges a deeper bond. And that bond is the one on which your family will be built.”

Tenderness softened her mom's features as she faced the bride. “Violet, my sweet girl, open your heart to Derek every day. Let his love sink in so deeply it infuses your every fiber. Praise him for the good things he's done and don't hoard the bad ones. Every day is a fresh start, so toss out the score cards. And . . . this one's important, okay?” She looked between them. “Wake up every morning with one thought in mind: What can I do to make my love feel special today? In the chaos that life will bring, take time to be with each other. To hold hands, to hug, to share a quiet moment. And always, always remember to say ‘I love you.' Do you think you can do that?”

She looked to Derek, who nodded, and then to Violet, who whispered, “Yes,” as she wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Then I know you'll be as in love in fifty years as you are today. Now, I know you want to exchange vows privately,” Francesca said after a pause. “So I'll skip right to the forever part. Derek, do you have the—”

“Wait.” Violet gazed up at her groom with fierce determination. “I do want to say something.” She reached for Derek's hand.

Swiftly, he caught her fingers, bringing her palm to his mouth. He gave her a magnificent smile.

Violet drew a shaky breath. “Sometimes, out of the blue, I get this jolt. And it's because I remember how I almost didn't get to be with you.” She drew a shaky breath. “Before I met you, I was fine. I had a great job. I had Francesca and Mimi and my farm. I was growing a business I loved. And I thought I'd really lucked out because I was finally safe. That's all I'd ever aspired to. Just . . . to be safe.” Tears glittered in her eyes. “I would've settled for safe.” The words came out a whisper.
“I would have. But then you came along and brought me something I hadn't even contemplated. Hadn't even
considered
. And I ran. I ran from all the passion and . . . and radiance that you offered me.”

“And that's no metaphor,” Cooper said. “I mean, she
ran
. All the way to Japan.”

Ben elbowed him.

“What?” Cooper said. “It's true.”

“Shut up,” Ben said.

A few people laughed, but Violet's gaze never wavered. “I almost lost you. I almost didn't get
this
.” Her incredulous tone made Mimi want to pull her friend into a hug.

All along Derek had remained placid, smiling peacefully, a contrast to Violet's awe. And then he took the bouquet from her, passed it to Mimi, and reached for Violet's other hand. “You were always gonna get this. Not a chance was I gonna let you go. Nothing, V,
nothing
would've kept me away from you.” He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her mouth. “No worries, sweet V. We got this, okay?”

“Okay.” She beamed a smile at him. “I love you.”

“You're the love of my life. Forever.”

“Forever.” She tilted toward him again, and they kissed.

“Got a ring burning a hole in my pocket here, guys,” Slater said.

Everyone burst out laughing, and Derek held his hand out behind him, never breaking the kiss. Slater deposited the ring in his palm, and Derek stopped kissing long enough to place it on her finger.

“I'm guessing you take Violet Davis to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Francesca said with a smile in her voice.

Derek straightened, kissing the tip of her nose. “I do.”

“I do, too,” Violet said.

More laughter, as Mimi reached for Violet's hand, uncurled her fingers, and pressed the ring in it. Violet smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, go on.”

“And you take Derek Valencia to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Derek lunged for her, lifting her off her feet. “Fuck, yeah.”

“You sexy beast,” Cooper said.

“Would you shut up?” Ben said. “It's a fuckin' wedding.”

“Right, because it's
so
traditional.”

Francesca gave the guys a look that said,
You done?
And Ben pushed his palms out toward her in a gesture that said,
Please, go ahead
.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Derek and Violet Valencia.”

Pressed to her husband's body, Violet turned to the group and beamed a shy and deeply satisfied smile.

Just then Slater pushed through the small crowd to claim his woman. He backed her against the ledge, one big hand caressing her belly. Emmie tilted her head back, luminous with so much love, Mimi had to look away.

Would she ever have that with Calix? The moments of intimacy they had were transcendent. But as close as they'd gotten, he still held himself back. After a few hours of incredible passion, he left. He always left.

That was weird, right? That they'd never had a whole night together? It was.

He was getting better, but would he ever totally be hers?

Slater and Derek loved their women with abandon. They put their women first. After what he'd gone through, could Calix ever do that? Or would he forever punish himself for losing sight of Hopper?

If he never fully recovered . . . what did that mean for her?

As the group slowly made its way out of the gazebo, across the wildflower fields and to the barn, Mimi reconsidered her promise to bear with him. If he didn't have a whole heart to give, she'd have to compromise her needs.

And she just wouldn't do that. Not for anybody.

*   *   *

Mimi
checked the tables and dance floor but didn't see any of the Bourbons. She was determined to be completely present for Violet's wedding, though, so she didn't text Calix to find out when—or if—they were coming.

As she rearranged a tiered cupcake stand, arms went around her waist. “I love this so much.”

She straightened and turned into Violet's embrace. “I'm so glad.” Mimi breathed in her friend's unique wildflower-scented perfume. “I wanted this day to be perfect for you.”

“It is. And you know why? Because it's all us. It's on our farm, in the barn where the music's made. It's our wildflower ice tea, and your incredible food. And these decorations? It's . . . God, Mimi. Look at this. Who wouldn't want to be in this room? You should open your own restaurant.”

Mimi had too much exposure to the restaurant business to ever want to own one. “I don't know about that, but this would make a pretty cute bakery.” She loved the mason jars with watermelon-colored punch and striped straws, the vintage pedestal cake stands holding a wild assortment of desserts.

A flash of light caught her attention—sun glinting off metal. Several trucks pulled haphazardly onto the grass and doors flew open. What the hell? She wouldn't let anything ruin Violet's reception, so Mimi excused herself and hurried outside, closing the barn doors.

As she made her way toward the fracas, she couldn't miss Terrence's huge body as he leaned inside the driver's side window of a battered Toyota. He pulled out a keychain. Calix had his arms wide open, blocking a woman.

Gus jumped out of his truck. “Dammit, Laney.”

“Get the fuck out of my way.” The drunken woman could barely get the words out as she struggled to get past Calix.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Gus cut in front of his brother and got hold of her. She started whaling on him, fists pounding. “Cut it out.” He grabbed her arms and jerked them behind her back.

The woman's dress, bandeaux style with a wraparound bodice, was askew, nearly exposing her breast. Mimi attempted to get closer, to try and cover her, but Laney was kicking and twisting.

Calix pulled her away. “Sorry we're late, Meems. One of her friends called to tip us off.”

Gus wound up behind the woman, her hands at the small of her back, and Mimi took the opportunity to step forward and pull the material up.

In thanks, Laney spit, her legs kicking out.

“That's enough,” Terrence snapped in his scary, gravelly voice. “Laney, get in the truck.”

The woman stopped fighting, her features going slack. “You fuckin' fuckers. I hate you. I hate you all so much.”

Gus murmured in her ear, voice hard and threatening, and Laney calmed down some, looking almost embarrassed. “I'm gonna get her home.”

Laney lurched wildly, pulling out of Gus's hold. “Yeah, that's right. Take me home and fuck me. Isn't that why you like me? 'Cause I fuck so good?”

He caught her easily, banding his arms around her. “Jesus, would you shut up?”

“What're you gonna do to get me to shut me up?”

Gus looked mortified.

And then Jo stepped forward. “Look, girl, you got two choices.”

Laney quieted, lank hair in her face.

“You either let my son take you to your people, or I call the police. Way I understand it, he ended things with you, so he's got no more ties. Gettin' the police to haul your ass off this property makes good sense to me. Your call.”

Laney wavered, looking like she was trying to work through what Jo had said and weigh the options in her alcohol-saturated brain. Finally, with hate turning her eyes hard, she went limp in Gus's arms. “I don't want to be around you losers anyhow. Take me home.”

“Sorry about this, Mimi.” Exchanging keys with his dad, Gus force-walked Laney to her car and helped her inside. Then he jogged around to the driver's side, turned the ignition, and drove off.

“How's he gonna get home?” Terrence said.

Mimi shot a look to Calix, knowing he'd take responsibility for his brother.

And that meant he wouldn't be with her.

Again.

But Calix didn't answer right away. He watched his mom, patiently, quietly, and then he reached for Mimi's hand. “You got this, Dad?”

Terrence marshaled his look of surprise, but he didn't contain the slight curl at the side of his mouth. He clapped Calix on the back. “Yeah, we got this. I'll text him. See where he's at.”

And then Terrence started for the car, stopping when he realized his wife hadn't followed.

With her eyes on the barn, she said, “I want to see how it all turned out.”

When no one responded, Jo said, “What? I worked on the damn thing.”

“Looks like Gus'll be taking a cab,” Terrence said.

Calix gripped Mimi's hand tightly, and then the four of them headed into the reception.

*   *   *