Read Online Phoenix in My Fortune (A Monster Haven Story Book 6) by R.L. Naquin - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: R.L. Naquin
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went with a four-layer topsy-turvy cake with bold designs alternating between whatever colors Fiona chose. Moira sketched a few ideas for me, and I picked out the parts I liked best. Or rather, what I hoped Fiona would like best. Seeing the sketch, I felt a little less irritated that Sara had booked this absentee-bride wedding. It gave me the opportunity to put a piece of myself into it in a way I couldn’t with previous brides.
Although I’d tasted Moira’s samples a hundred times in the past, this would be my last shot. I took my time dragging bits of cake through frosting and fillings, savoring every combination I could think to put together. In the end, I chose a different setup for each layer. The bottom was a simple French vanilla cake with Bavarian crème filling. Next up, a chocolate fudge with peanut butter cream, then lemon cake with fresh strawberry filling. The top tier was a red velvet with whipped cream cheese filling.
“If Fiona can’t find something to like in those combinations, I guess she should have made the time to choose for herself,” I said, draining my last glass.
Moira smiled as she finished jotting down notes on the job order. “They’re excellent choices, Zoey. You did a good job.”
She walked me to the door, and a lump formed in my throat.
Don’t be stupid, Zoey. She’s not leaving tomorrow.
I brushed aside the sudden bout of melancholy. “Thanks for everything, Moira. I’ll see you again before you leave.”
“Of course you will,” she said. “I can’t leave until I sell the business, and I’m not even putting it up for sale for another few weeks.” She paused, her face wistful. “And when the time comes, I hope you’ll send me a wedding invitation so I can come back for it.”
Her request touched me. She was a trusted business colleague and someone I would have called a friend. It was good to know she felt the same way and was willing to travel all the way from Florida to be at my wedding. That was something only a true friend did.
“Of course I will.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’ll come by and see you soon.”
I took two steps down the sidewalk, and my big black SUV pulled up to the curb next to me. The window rolled down.
Riley winked from behind the wheel. “Hey, cutie. Need a lift?”
I pretended to think about it. “Do you have any candy?”
He gave me a serious look. “Do you
want
some candy?”
“Oh, no!” I shook my head. “I’m not supposed to take candy from strange men.”
“Ah. Then, no. I don’t have any candy.” He graced me with his most charming smile.
“Fantastic! I could really use a ride.” I hopped into the passenger side of my own car. “No funny business, though. I have a fiancé.”
Riley snorted. “That guy? You deserve so much better.”
I laced my fingers through his and smiled. “You’re probably right. I am pretty fabulous.”
Any minute, the world would probably be in danger again. But for the moment, I was content. Also, a little buzzed from the champagne, but Riley didn’t need to know that.
* * *
Since we were in Sausalito already, we made a run to Sara’s house to pick up her mail and collect her newspapers. Sara and Maurice were able to spend time inside the house by traveling through the closet network to get there. Going outside was a no-no for a demon and a closet monster, considering her house was on a fairly busy neighborhood street with lots of people walking their dogs and kids riding skateboards.
The Homeowners Association would probably hold an emergency meeting to vote on monster residency policies, not to mention how fast the Neighborhood Watch would get a SWAT team out to blow open Sara’s front door.
Better for Riley and me to handle the mail and the lawn service.
We left the mail and the newspapers on the kitchen counter, knowing Sara would probably be by in the evening. On our way out the door, I stopped at her refrigerator and turned all her magnets upside down.
Not only would
Although I’d tasted Moira’s samples a hundred times in the past, this would be my last shot. I took my time dragging bits of cake through frosting and fillings, savoring every combination I could think to put together. In the end, I chose a different setup for each layer. The bottom was a simple French vanilla cake with Bavarian crème filling. Next up, a chocolate fudge with peanut butter cream, then lemon cake with fresh strawberry filling. The top tier was a red velvet with whipped cream cheese filling.
“If Fiona can’t find something to like in those combinations, I guess she should have made the time to choose for herself,” I said, draining my last glass.
Moira smiled as she finished jotting down notes on the job order. “They’re excellent choices, Zoey. You did a good job.”
She walked me to the door, and a lump formed in my throat.
Don’t be stupid, Zoey. She’s not leaving tomorrow.
I brushed aside the sudden bout of melancholy. “Thanks for everything, Moira. I’ll see you again before you leave.”
“Of course you will,” she said. “I can’t leave until I sell the business, and I’m not even putting it up for sale for another few weeks.” She paused, her face wistful. “And when the time comes, I hope you’ll send me a wedding invitation so I can come back for it.”
Her request touched me. She was a trusted business colleague and someone I would have called a friend. It was good to know she felt the same way and was willing to travel all the way from Florida to be at my wedding. That was something only a true friend did.
“Of course I will.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’ll come by and see you soon.”
I took two steps down the sidewalk, and my big black SUV pulled up to the curb next to me. The window rolled down.
Riley winked from behind the wheel. “Hey, cutie. Need a lift?”
I pretended to think about it. “Do you have any candy?”
He gave me a serious look. “Do you
want
some candy?”
“Oh, no!” I shook my head. “I’m not supposed to take candy from strange men.”
“Ah. Then, no. I don’t have any candy.” He graced me with his most charming smile.
“Fantastic! I could really use a ride.” I hopped into the passenger side of my own car. “No funny business, though. I have a fiancé.”
Riley snorted. “That guy? You deserve so much better.”
I laced my fingers through his and smiled. “You’re probably right. I am pretty fabulous.”
Any minute, the world would probably be in danger again. But for the moment, I was content. Also, a little buzzed from the champagne, but Riley didn’t need to know that.
* * *
Since we were in Sausalito already, we made a run to Sara’s house to pick up her mail and collect her newspapers. Sara and Maurice were able to spend time inside the house by traveling through the closet network to get there. Going outside was a no-no for a demon and a closet monster, considering her house was on a fairly busy neighborhood street with lots of people walking their dogs and kids riding skateboards.
The Homeowners Association would probably hold an emergency meeting to vote on monster residency policies, not to mention how fast the Neighborhood Watch would get a SWAT team out to blow open Sara’s front door.
Better for Riley and me to handle the mail and the lawn service.
We left the mail and the newspapers on the kitchen counter, knowing Sara would probably be by in the evening. On our way out the door, I stopped at her refrigerator and turned all her magnets upside down.
Not only would
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