Take the Cake (48 page)

“Damn, woman, I think you’ve got me.”

“Are you shitting me?” Wren gaped at her and then looked at Emily in wonderment. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been working toward this moment?”

“Yeah,” Kate sighed and shook her head. “I guess it had to happen sometime.”

“Wow.” Wren was still stunned. “I mean—” She stopped as Kate pushed herself away from the counter and walked toward one of the smaller cupboards, and then dropped to her knees to forage toward the back of the lowest shelf. “Boss, what
are
you doing?”

“Getting your trophy,” Kate’s reply was muffled, but she emerged triumphant and got to her feet to walk toward Wren and hand over what she had been looking for.

“Ohhh.” Wren’s eyes were like saucers as Kate handed her a bottle of Bollinger champagne. “For me?”

“You’ve totally earned it.” Kate grinned and then gave her a huge hug. “I’m so proud of you.” She was startled, therefore, when Wren handed the bottle back to her.

“Put this in to chill,” Wren advised. “We’re having it tonight.”

“What? No, that’s yours, you earned it,” Kate protested.

“C’mon, boss, I couldn’t have done it without you providing the competition. Besides, it’ll get the party off to a great start, don’t you think?”

“If you say so,” Kate said as she accepted the bottle. “But while we’re in such a giving mood, I’d like to give you two your Christmas presents.”

“What?” Emily squeaked. “You can’t. I’ve got yours at home.”

“That’s fine, but I want my gifts to you to be opened when it’s just the three of us,” Kate explained. She went to her bag and pulled out the two embossed envelopes that she had arranged while she was out dropping off the day’s takings at the bank. She walked back to Wren and Emily with a broad smile and handed them each an envelope.

Wren and Emily paused to glance at each other for a moment before Wren shrugged. “The hell with waiting,” she said. “I’m going in.”

Emily turned the heavy envelope over in her hands and noted the gold seal before she carefully opened it and removed the gold embossed card inside. As she read it carefully, she felt her mouth drop open with surprise.

“Holy sh—” she began just as Wren stepped forward and threw her arms around Kate.

“I love it, but it’s too much,” Wren protested.

Emily glanced at the card and had to agree. Kate had purchased them each “The Ultimate” treatment at the Tribeca Beauty Spa: a day of pampering and indulgence that didn’t come cheap.

“Guys …” Kate disentangled herself from Wren and submitted to an equally fervent hug from Emily. “You totally deserve it. You two work so hard here, and my appreciation wasn’t something that could be wrapped up in some sorta ornament.” She gave them both a fond look. “I wanted to give you something really special, so I figured the gift of time that’s just for
you
would be perfect.”

“And it is,” Emily gasped as she re-read the card. “I’ve never had anything like this.”

“Which is why I did it,” Kate went on. “Over the years, a lot of gifts just become
stuff
, so I wanted to get you an experience.” She looked down and picked at an imaginary thread on her apron as she kept talking. “I couldn’t do any of this—” she waved a hand to indicate the store, “—without the kind of help I get from you guys, so this is just …” She looked up and gave them a watery smile.

Emily and Wren stepped forward as one, and the three women wrapped each other up in a group hug that ended up with sniffles and laughter. The coffee machine gave a loud beep to indicate it was ready for work, and Kate set to making their coffees before disappearing into the kitchen to make some Christmas themed
Jack’s Favorite
cupcakes.

It was going to be a good day, and an even better party. She just knew it.

~~~

“You’re sure there’s nothing else you need?” Michael called over his shoulder as he walked into the living room tucking his dress shirt into his trousers.

“I’m as sure as I can be,” Kate answered from the bathroom as she finished her makeup. “David delivered the wine, you dropped off the extras, Paul is bringing some music, the girls just have to bring themselves, and we’re getting there early to meet the caterers and set up. Have I missed anything?”

Michael ran through a mental checklist: food, drink, music, friends. He slipped on his jacket and patted the pocket to make sure it was still there. Wren had given him instructions on what he was allowed to buy to match whatever it was Kate was going to be wearing, and he had taken her advice to heart.

“I think we’re good,” he called back.

“Okay then,” Kate replied, and he heard the sound of a long zipper being opened. Kate had arrived home toting a garment bag that Wren wouldn’t let her look at while she was still at the store. “Wow,” Kate said at last.

“What? Can I see?”

“Not yet, let me get it on,” Kate answered.

“Whatever it is, I bet it’ll look great on the floor later tonight,” Michael called back with a huge grin.

There was an amused pause. “And you’re a
writer?”
Kate retorted, making him laugh.

Moments later when she appeared in the doorway, he was definitely at a loss for words.

The dress was simplicity itself: a wrap dress in a gray wool/jersey blend, offset by a black cherry blossom print and jet bead detailing. It hugged Kate’s curves before falling in soft waves to mid-calf. Kate had teamed it with knee-high black leather boots, and she stood there a little uncertainly before Michael’s silent scrutiny.

“You like?” she asked with a shy smile.

Michael licked his lips before replying. “Parts of me are already applauding.”

Kate gave a delighted smile and walked toward him for a kiss, which he was only too happy to oblige. Michael ran his hands up her sides, and then held her out at arm’s length, cocking his head this way and that as he studied her. “It needs something, though,” he said at last.

“Ah.” Kate nodded. This would be the accessorizing part that Wren had told her about.

Michael reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small box that he handed over with a smile. Kate looked into his eyes before lifting the lid, her lips forming an “O” of surprise. It was a vintage marcasite necklace, the polished jet and pyrite detail glinting as she removed it from the box to admire it.

“Allow me.” Michael took it gently from her hands and moved to stand behind her so that he could fasten it around her neck where it swung to rest between her breasts. Michael’s breath was warm against her neck as he nuzzled her for a kiss. “You like?”

“I love it.” Kate turned to smile at him and was surprised at the nervous look on his face.

“There’s something else that would look good on you too,” Michael ventured. He dipped into his pocket again, and this time the box was smaller.

~~~

Wren looked excitedly out the window of the cab as it pulled up outside the store.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so excited to get to work,” David commented with a soft laugh as she scrambled out.

“I want to see how the girls look,” Wren said as she stood and waited for David to settle the fare and follow her to the door.

The store looked warm and festive against the winter chill that was howling down the street. Kate had arrived early as promised, and the candles were all lit and glowing on various surfaces around the store, glinting off the dozens of stars the casting festive shadows on the walls as Michael Bublé’s latest album crooned out of the speakers. Some of the tables and chairs had been moved to give them room to mingle, and the caterers were ensconced in the kitchen with all manner of enticing smells wafting out into the store.

“I knew you’d be the first one here,” Kate called with a smile as she looked up from where she and Michael had been having a quiet conversation at one of the tables.

“Stand up, let me look” Wren commanded as Michael and David exchanged greetings. Kate dutifully got to her feet and did a slow twirl for her inspection. Wren felt very pleased with herself. “What did Michael get you?” Kate tipped her chin back to set off the necklace, and Wren stepped forward to look at it. “Oh, it’s gorgeous. I love it.” She grinned her approval at Michael, who inclined his head in a gracious nod. He was sporting a beaming smile, one that seemed out of proportion to her compliment, and she squinted at him in puzzlement before turning back to Kate and giving her the same look. Kate contrived to look innocent but a matching smile kept breaking through.

“What else did he—” Wren began, and then her eyes widened as she grabbed at Kate’s hand. “Oh, my God,” she squealed as she wrapped her arms around Kate for the second time that day.

“How did it go?” David asked Michael in a quiet voice as the women exchanged hugs and kisses of delight.

“Just like I hoped,” Michael said with a smile. “You?”

“Soon,” David commented, “but not yet.”

“You’ll know when,” Michael assured him, and they both turned their attention back to the women they loved.

Emily and Brad soon followed Wren and David’s arrival at the store. Like Kate, Emily had to offer herself up for inspection and approval, which was, of course, duly forthcoming by the designer. Emily was wearing a periwinkle blue tunic over black leggings, teamed with what looked to be a vintage cardigan, and of course like Kate, she had followed Wren’s footwear suggestion. Emily had been eager to open her garment bag when she got home and had spent a long time pouring over the hidden details that Wren had included. The cardigan buttons had been replaced with black and white crystal creations that resembled snowflakes, and Emily had been delighted to discover the same buttons on the tunic’s pockets and in a row down the back where Brad had to fasten her into the dress instead of zipping her up.

“You like?” Wren said after inspecting her with a proprietary air.

“Love it,” Emily confirmed. She glanced at Brad and, seeing he was exchanging slightly star-struck greetings with Michael, stepped closer. “It’s comfortable and sexy, and it does wonders for my confidence,” she added with a grin. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” she added in a slightly louder voice.

“You will soon.” David had turned at Emily’s pronouncement and draped an arm around Wren’s shoulders with a smile.

“Really?” Kate hadn’t missed that comment and her face lit up. “Wonderful!”

Anything else she had been about to say was drowned out by Paul’s booming welcome as he entered the store with a date in tow, his gaze seeking out Michael’s almost immediately. When he saw Michael’s triumphant smile, he let out a war whoop of delight and lunged for his sister in a way that
really
got the party started.

“Kate, I’d like you to meet Christine.” Paul wore a beaming smile as he put his arm around his date’s shoulders to draw her closer.

“It’s a pleasure.” Kate smiled as the two women shook hands. “I’m really glad you could make it.”

“Thanks.” Christine smiled as she glanced up at Paul who winked at Kate. “It feels a bit like I’m crashing the party, but Paul insisted it would be fine.”

“And rightly so,” Kate assured her. “It’s great to have you here.” Kate considered her for a moment, cocking her head to one side. “Actually, this is going to sound really cheesy, but I think I might have seen you somewhere before.”

Christine laughed at this.

“Oh, you sound like me. I say that to people all the time, but it’s because I meet so many people. I’ve got a stall at the—” Christine broke off as she glanced over Kate’s shoulder and a pleased smile appeared on her face.

“You were saying?” Paul asked with amusement.

“Um, I think we
have
met,” Christine went on. “You’ve got my fox on your wall over there.” She pointed, and Kate obediently turned to look at the wall before glancing back at Christine with a beaming smile.

“That was you? But this is wonderful.” Kate was delighted. The night just kept getting better.

Wren darted into the kitchen and a few minutes later reappeared holding the Bollinger aloft and a waitress with a tray of champagne glasses in tow.

“Celebrations all round!” she crowed to Kate as she handed the bottle to David for him to open.

“You knew?” Kate asked, jumping when the cork was removed with a loud “pop.”

“About that?” Wren gestured to Kate’s hand. “Not at all, but I just knew this party was going to be one to remember.”

“Big occasion?” the waitress asked as David began to pour the champagne into the waiting glasses.

“Pretty big.” He nodded with a grin. “The owner there—” he indicated Kate with a nod, “—and my best friend—” another nod, “—just got engaged, plus it’s the store’s Christmas party.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she enthused as she watched the wine bubble into the delicate glasses. “This looks like a great place. They must have a lot of fun,” she observed in a wistful tone.

“They sure do.” David smiled.

The glasses were dispensed and held high for a toast of congratulations and wishes for the holiday season. Kate gave a gracious speech conceding victory to Wren, who in return offered her heartfelt congratulations to Kate and Michael as David stood by her side stroking her back. The store was warm against the chill outside, and the joy everyone felt just made everything seem warmer. Food began to circulate into the store from the kitchen, the music got turned up, and the party began in earnest.

A couple of hours later, Kate looked up as Michael leaned down to kiss her neck and whisper in her ear. The door was opening, and Thomas stepped inside with a smile. Kate blinked at him, trying to work out what was different and then realized what it was. He was fashionably dressed as always, but this time his smile of greeting seemed more authentic. There was no showman style greeting, no flamboyant expressions, just Thomas looking at her with a warm smile that reached his eyes, and he walked toward her holding someone’s hand.

“Kate,” Thomas greeted her, “hey, girl.” He released his partner’s hand to wrap his arms around her for a hug. Stepping back, he reached out and pulled his date to his side. “I’d like you to met Stephan.”

“It’s a pleasure.” Kate smiled as she shook Stephan’s warm and calloused hand. “Tom, I’m so happy you could make it. Things wouldn’t have seemed the same without you here.” Kate looked around to see that Michael was already arranging drinks for the new arrivals, and she beamed at Michael as he appeared at her elbow with two more glasses.