Piece of Cake: The Wedding
Table of Contents
Synopsis
Praise for Gun Brooke’s Fiction
By the Author
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
About the Author
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Synopsis
Kendal Moore knows she’s being used shamelessly by her boss, Holly McAllister. What’s more, Kendal has willingly agreed to it. Holly needs a wife to remain in the US despite an expired visa. Now it’s their wedding day. Kendal is about to marry the woman she secretly loves, but she is afraid. What if she fails Holly by getting last-minute cold feet?
Holly McAllister tries to keep up her usual stern demeanor. If she doesn’t marry, all she’s worked for is lost. She is surprised that the only person she can imagine marrying is her assistant, Kendal, whose loyalty she always relied on. Now Holly’s heart and conscience insist she must talk to Kendal and call off the wedding. She can’t take advantage of the woman she’s grown to love. Kendal deserves more.
Praise for Gun Brooke’s Fiction
Fierce Overture
“Gun Brooke creates memorable characters, and Noelle and Helena are no exception. Each woman is “more than meets the eye” as each exhibits depth, fears, and longings. And the sexual tension between them is real, hot, and raw.”—Just About Write
Coffee Sonata
“In Coffee Sonata, the lives of these four women become intertwined. In forming friendships and love, closets and disabilities are discussed, along with differences in age and backgrounds. Love and friendship are areas filled with complexity and nuances. Brooke takes her time to savor the complexities while her main characters savor their excellent cups of coffee. If you enjoy a good love story, a great setting, and wonderful characters, look for Coffee Sonata at your favorite gay and lesbian bookstore.”—Family & Friends Magazine
Sheridan’s Fate
“Sheridan’s fire and Lark’s warm embers are enough to make this book sizzle. Brooke, however, has gone beyond the wonderful emotional explorations of these characters to tell the story of those who, for various reasons, become differently-abled. Whether it is a bullet, an illness, or a problem at birth, many women and men find themselves in Sheridan’s situation. Her courage and Lark’s gentleness and determination send this romance into a ‘must read.’”—Just About Write
Course of Action
“Brooke’s words capture the intensity of their growing relationship. Her prose throughout the book is breathtaking and heart-stopping. Where have you been hiding, Gun Brooke? I, for one, would like to see more romances from this author.”—Independent Gay Writer
September Canvas
“In this character-driven story, trust is earned and secrets are uncovered. Deanna and Faythe are fully fleshed out and prove to the reader each has much depth, talent, wit and problem-solving abilities. September Canvas is a good read with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion.”—Just About Write
Soul Unique
“This is the first book that Gun Brooke has written in a first person perspective, and that was 100% the correct choice. She avoids the pitfalls of trying to tell a story about living with an autism spectrum disorder that she’s never experienced, instead making it the story of someone who falls in love with a person living with Asperger’s. …Soul Unique is her best. It was an ambitious project that turned out beautifully. I highly recommend it.”—The Lesbian Review
The Supreme Constellations Series
“Protector of the Realm has it all; sabotage, corruption, erotic love and exhilarating space fights. Gun Brooke’s second novel is forceful with a winning combination of solid characters and a brilliant plot. The book exemplifies her growth as inventive storyteller and is sure to garner multiple awards in the coming year.”—Just About Write
“Brooke is an amazing author, and has written in other genres. Never have I read a book where I started at the top of the page and don’t know what will happen two paragraphs later. She keeps the excitement going, and the pages turning.”—MegaScene
Piece of Cake: The Wedding
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Piece of Cake: The Wedding
© 2016 By Gun Brooke. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-62639-761-3
This Electronic Book is published by
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, New York 12185
First Edition: August 2016
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editor: Shelley Thrasher
Production Design: Bold Strokes Graphics
Cover Design by Jeanine Henning
By the Author
Romances:
Course of Action
Coffee Sonata
Sheridan’s Fate
September Canvas
Fierce Overture
Speed Demons
The Blush Factor
Soul Unique
A Reluctant Enterprise
Supreme Constellations series:
Protector of the Realm
Rebel’s Quest
Warrior’s Valor
Pirate’s Fortune
Exodus series:
Advance
Pathfinder
Novella Anthology:
Change Horizons
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Len Barot, my publisher, for asking me to be part of a series of novellas that have everything to do with marriage: the proposal, the planning, the wedding, and the honeymoon. I think this is a wonderful topic since the law was changed in the US in 2015 for marriage equality. I couldn’t be happier about that.
Thank you to my beautiful and bright editor, Dr. Shelley Thrasher, who once again saw me through yet another editing phase. Shelley, you know I adore you, and you make the editing fun, and the times you point out something I did particularly well…that makes my entire week.
All the rest of the Bold Strokes Books crew—Sandy, Connie, Stacia, Cindy, Lori, Sheri, Paula, Kathi, and those I don’t know the names of—you all are the glue that keeps us together. I’m in awe how you keep the quality up year after year like you do—amazing!
My family…my darling Elon; my kids, Malin and Henrik; my son-in-law Pentti; and yes, here comes the gang of grandkids—Alexandra, Angelica, William, Sami, and Elina. My dogs deserve a shout-out—they are the ones that keep me physically in as good a shape as it is possible with the darn MS. Jarmo and Hoshi, you are my fur-buddies. Ove and Monica, you are THE best brother and sister-in-law ever.
My first readers—Laura, Maggie, Sam, and Eden—you totally rock and make writing even more fun that it is in itself. Soli, my friend here in Sweden, whom I go to mini writing retreats with—your encouragement means so much.
Extended family and friends, in Sweden and in the US, all your kind words of appreciation mean a l
ot to me.
My readers—most important of all. I can’t say how humbling and wonderful it is to hear from you via social media and emails. I’m so grateful that you buy my books. Thank you, everybody. Whether you are married or not, by choice or not, I hope you all enjoy this story.
Dedication
For Laura and Laurie
Chapter One
“You’re mad. Beyond crazy, sis,” Jasmine said with a groan. “You know that, right?”
Kendal regarded her five-years-older sister’s reflection in the mirror. “Yes. So you’ve told me, many times over.”
“And do you listen? Like ever? No.” Jasmine, a shorter, rounder version of her, swatted Kendal on her arm. “You dig your heels in as usual and jump in with both feet. Considering the rest of your crazy ideas, this is the one that’ll break your heart. How can you even consider going through with it? Mom and Dad are acting all cheery for you, but deep down they think you’re insane to marry your boss. What can you possibly have in common with this woman?”
Kendal returned her focus to her own reflection. This woman looked nothing like herself. Or at least mirror-Kendal was very alien in contrast to how she usually presented herself to the world. Instead of her strict, black business suits for work or jeans and T-shirts in her spare time, she saw a young woman with impeccable makeup dressed in light-gray slacks and a flowing, white, embroidered caftan. An amethyst necklace hung around her neck, and matching earrings completed the outfit and set off her dark skin. Only her hair was the same, short and curly. She looked down at her hands. Soon a wedding band would glimmer next to her engagement ring on her finger, showing the world she was a married woman.
“Well,” Jasmine gestured with her usual drama, “I’ve done my duty as far as Mom’s concerned. She and I completely agree for once. You’re throwing away your career and your life. Holly McAllister is using you, and you’ve suddenly turned into this pushover wimp—”
“Stop it.” Kendal rounded on her sister. “I’ve had enough. It’s fucking amazing how you and Mom can’t even let up on my wedding day. No matter what you say, I’m walking into this marriage with my eyes open. I never should have confided in you two, but I foolishly thought you’d understand.”
Kendal wasn’t deluding herself. Her boss of two years, Holly McAllister, needed an American spouse, and Kendal was it. If Holly didn’t marry, she’d be deported and not be admitted back into the US for the foreseeable future. Everything Holly had worked for at the firm would be for nothing, and she would lose her job as the Boston branch CEO. What Jasmine and her mom didn’t understand was how detrimental this was to Kendal’s career also. Would a new CEO choose to employ the previous one’s assistant? Most likely not.
“All right, all right. I just have to remember you’re an adult and to back off, but it’s not easy. You’re my kid sister.” Jasmine sighed and took Kendal’s hands in hers. “Now listen to me. You look beautiful. Holly is one lucky woman. If you have second thoughts...”
“I know. I know.” Forbidden tendrils of restrained panic wriggled through her system, but she refused to give in. She was marrying the woman she’d fallen for more than a year ago, even though she knew her attraction might lead to certain heartache. How could she refuse to help Holly stay in the US? Holly had built a life here, and she stood to lose so much if she was deported. Immigration had interviewed them both extensively, and it hadn’t been hard to talk about falling in love. Not for her at least. Holly, of course, had to aim for an Oscar statuette while proclaiming her undying love for Kendal.
The hardest questions had to have been how a successful CEO could suddenly feel this way about her assistant. The pesky lady from immigration had looked Kendal up and down with a disdainful expression on her face. She hadn’t said it out loud, but to Kendal it was clear she wanted to add “her black assistant” as well. It was hardly the first time she’d run into badly hidden racism and prejudice. The way Holly had instantly taken Kendal’s hand and kissed it proved she’d heard the tone in the immigration lady’s voice as well.
“We have known each other almost two years,” Holly said, her melodious Scottish brogue brimming with affection. “It’s one of those things, you know, when you look at someone you meet every day and go, ‘Oh, my God. She’s the one.’”
“I’m sure I don’t know that, Ms. McAllister.” The immigration lady made a prudish face. “I look into facts and dates. Not arbitrary emotions.”
Blinking, Kendal could hardly contain herself. “Falling in love, no matter how it happens, has to be an integral part of marriage, doesn’t it? Or it should be.”
“Of course.” The interview went on with more mundane questions, but Holly’s words had kept echoing in her mind ever since. Now she gazed around the hotel room and thought of her bride-to-be sitting in a similar room with her sister and sister-in-law from Scotland tending to her. Kendal had no idea what Holly would wear at the ceremony. All she knew was the basic colors, as they didn’t want their outfits to clash.
A knock on the door broke her out of her reverie.
“Come in,” Kendal called out. She smiled broadly when her father poked his head in.
“Hey, kiddo, are you just about ready?” Harrison Moore winked at her.
“I’m getting there. I have a few things to add to my caftan, so I’d say, half an hour or so?”
“Got it. The generalissimo is making me check on all the details,” her father said. “I wonder why we needed to hire a wedding planner when your mother has to check on every single detail three times.”
“That was Holly’s idea. She didn’t want me to have to take time off work.”
“Being the boss to the very last minute, eh?” Kendal’s father grinned.
“Something like that.” Kendal returned the smile, but at the same time she wondered if the fact that Holly indeed was her boss would be indicative of what their marriage could become. Why did she even concern herself with that? They had to stay married for three years at least, or immigration would start making trouble for Holly again. Then they were free to live their lives as they saw fit.
This was the heartbreaking part. Kendal knew the terms, but she feared she would still harbor hope as time went on that Holly would one day wake up and realize they shared a true, loving relationship. But that wouldn’t happen, so Kendal told herself she needed to be selfless and settle for friendship and mutual respect. Some people didn’t even get that.
She attached the pin Holly had given her when they became engaged. The gift had been completely unexpected, and she loved the miniature hummingbird. She in turn had given Holly a gold chain and been amazed at how happy her gesture had seemed to make Holly. Kendal was not as well off as Holly so that was all she could afford.
Adding a statement necklace to frame the amethysts, Kendal scrutinized her reflection. She would have to do. As the future Mrs. Kendal Moore McAllister, she would act her part to save her boss’s job and life here in America. Not even the outspoken and blunt Jasmine had dared ask Kendal what her compensation was for doing this. Kendal was grateful, as the answer was pretty pathetic even in her own mind. Kendal was going along with the whole idea for purely selfish reasons. This arrangement meant being closer to Holly, even if it was a sham. And though she slammed down the tiniest hope imaginable, a miniscule voice in her head claimed she hoped their close proximity could perhaps mean that Holly would get a chance to see other sides of Kendal.
“Kendal?” Dad’s voice interrupted her thoughts again. “All set?”
“Yes. I’m ready.” Kendal took her small bouquet of pink roses, lilies, and orchids and straightened her back. As she clasped her father’s arm and clenched her fingers around it, she tried to get her equilibrium back. Thinking and hoping that Holly would one day see her as a potential love interest wasn’t just pathetic—it was delusional.
Chapter Two
Holly McAllister stood alone in her hotel room. Her sister and sister-in-law had fussed over her until she was ready to shoot the
m. Instead, she asked them to give her some time to gather her thoughts. The way Ariane and Debra had gone “aw” and winked at each other had induced nausea. They clearly thought she wanted to moon over her bride and her future with Kendal before it was time to go downstairs.
Instead, Holly sat on the vanity chair and closed her eyes. How the hell had she allowed this insanity to go so far? Born from Scottish nobility, she’d left Edinburgh for the US and thrived first in Providence and, later, East Quay. She’d worked long hours to secure the British company she helped establish on the East Coast. When she learned of the series of mistakes regarding her visa she saw her career, no, her entire life disintegrate before her. Deportation would make returning to the US impossible for the foreseeable future. A friend gave her the frank advice to marry someone. Anyone. Holly was sure her friend meant the idea to be mostly tongue-in-cheek, but after a while it seemed the only option.
The fact she was gay made it even harder to come up with a spouse-to-be. One day she’d heard someone mention that her trusted assistant Kendal, the woman she owed a lot of her success to, was indeed of the lesbian persuasion. Holly cringed at how businesslike she’d been when she called Kendal into her office and asked her to help. Her poor assistant had looked utterly dumbfounded and, for a moment, almost hurt, but had calmly asked for more details and then some time to think about the possibility. Two days later she’d calmly agreed to marry Holly and remain married for at least three years. When Holly had offered to pay Kendal, the beautiful African-American woman’s eyes had grown impossibly darker, and she’d bluntly told her if she brought up the subject of money regarding this matter one more time, the marriage was off.