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She reaches out, as if she intends to take my hand, but draws hers back into her lap She clasps her hands together and straightens her posture, then takes a deep breath as if steeling herself “I think about your wedding, and I can’t help but remember your sister’s I want”

But she doesn’t finish the sentence, and so I do not knohat she wants As for me, I don’t knohen, but I’ve risen to my feet, and have turned away so that she can’t see the heavy tears now strea down my cheeks

I squeeze my eyes shut, determined not to think of Ashley, and even more determined not to think of the hand that hts are hard ones to banish, because they have lived insideAnd noell, now I can’t help but wonder if this isremorse

Or a, perhaps futilely, that there is a détente to be had between my mother and me

Chapter Five

“Cupcakes” My mother’s voice is flat, but her s to Sally Love, the owner of Love Bites It’s one of the most popular bakeries in Beverly Hills Sally has catered dozens of celebrity functions, has been featured in every food and dessert ti and a pleasure to ith

I a to offend her

Mother’s s idea And was that your suggestion?” she asks Sally

“I believe in working with ure out exactly what they want, to make their event not only special but uniquely theirs”

“In other words, you don’t feel bound by tradition or societal expectations?” Her words are venomous, but her tone anddeliberately offensive or enuine conversation I know the answer because I know my mother, and I step in and flash my own perky smile

“I’azine and it seemed like the perfect way to combine tradition and whi ht?”

Sally grins, displaying rosy cheeks that make me think of Mrs Claus and Christmas cookies She’s probably only ten years older thanabout her I can understand why she does somore than a look

“We’re all set,” she assures me “But we do need to narron the choices for the cupcakes” The plan is to have five different flavors of cupcakes—one for each of the tiers—so the guests can pick their favorite Additional cupcakes—in case anyone wants seconds—will be scattered artfully on the table, mixed with the fresh wildflowers I have on order from the florist Daisies and sunflowers and Indian paintbrushes that reeht we first met

Sally nods to the table set up at the back of the storefront, elegantly draped in white linen It’s topped with a row of ten tiny cakes “I thought you ht want to refresh your memory”

I laugh “Even if I’d already decided, you know I’d have to sit down and taste those” I glance at my mother as I head toward the table “Do you want to try, too? They’re all a”