Page 77 of Riding the Curve
“Yessss!” She squeals. The messy bun bobs on top of her head as she skips around the table and retrieves what looks like a little sketchbook.
The day that Preston called her and gave her the job to make the wedding cake, I got a call almost two seconds later. She’s excited but also extremely nervous. This will be the first wedding cake she’s ever made, minus the one we both worked on in college.
Harper anxiously chews on her nails as she slides the open sketchbook in front of me. I’ve always known how incredibly talented she is, but I wasn’t prepared for the stunning artwork in front of me.
The bride and groom love nature and the outdoors. Something that we’ve been trying to incorporate into every element of the wedding. Harper has encapsulated all their favorite outdoor spaces into a landscape of memories across their cake.
Deep green watercolored pine trees, soft violet mountain ranges, crystal blue lakes and waterfalls, and a kaleidoscope of oranges, golds, and magentas blended to create the most stunning sunset I have ever seen.
“Harper, this is breathtaking. They are going to love it so much. I can’t wait to see it come to life!”
“You really think so?” she asks shyly.
Harper’s optimistic, extroverted personality has always inspired me. It’s helped me push myself to be more courageous in my life as well. Hell, if it wasn’t for her pushing me to sign up for the scholarship, I never would have been able to have all the experiences I had in New York.
So to witness her so unsure of herself makes me pause.
“Absolutely, love. They are going to be completely enchanted. It’s like an edible piece of art. Melody will be proud!” I wink.
Relief washes over her features, her shoulders finally relaxing as she leans back on her stool. With a smile, she traces over the design with her fingers before closing the sketchbook. “Do you think it would be crazy if I added wedding cakes or celebration cakes to the shop?”
“That would be amazing! Let me help you. I’ll take pictures at the wedding and then make you some promotional materials that you can put up around town and add to your website.”
“Are you sure? I know that you have a lot on your plate already, I don’t want to add more to it.” She winces.
“Oh, hush! I’ll be fine, and I would love to do this for you!”
A chime goes off in my back pocket. I grab my phone and smile at the picture that pops up on the screen. Lyla is wearing her little polka-dot apron and holding a wooden spoon.
RYLEIGH: Little chef is all ready for her cookie lesson.
ME: Aww, how does she get even more adorable every day?
RYLEIGH: She comes from good genes.
ME: Ha! She definitely doesn’t get her cuteness from you. LOL
RYLEIGH: *Middle finger emoji.
ME: Just finishing up at Harper’s, then I’ll be over.
RYLEIGH: How’s she doing? I came in for coffee the other day, and she looked . . . not like her usual self.
Lifting my gaze from my phone, I take another glance at my friend. As she continues to fold the butter into the dough, I notice the subtle changes in her features that I’ve missed these past months. There are dark circles forming under her eyes, and her demeanor is a little wilted, considering her usual singing and bubbly persona.
It makes me feel horrible that my brother noticed this change in her before I was able to. But it also makes my heart tug a little at the thought that he’s been paying so much attention to her. Maybe there truly is something blossoming between these two.
ME: I’ll try and do some digging to get to the bottom of what is going on.
RYLEIGH: Thank you. I’m just a little worried about her.
As I read his text my lips tip up. Maybe one of these days Harper might actually become a real sister. That is, if these two finally admit their attraction to one another. Until then, I’ll just have to keep manifesting it out into the cosmos.
ME: I promise, I’ll keep an eye on her. See you in a little bit.
Before sliding the phone back into my pocket, an idea pops into my head.
ME: Hey, I’m headed out in a bit to bake cookies with Lyla. Would you want to join me?
