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Mother’s brows lift sky high, and I wonder when my mother last had a carb that didn’t colass of wine “I don’t think so”

I shrug “Suit yourself,” I say, and see my mother’s lips purse as I settle behind the table “More for me”

The first cake is a tiny cheesecake It’s Da a bite because I’ to ask Sally if I can take it hootiations we could have if he’s bargaining for cheesecake

I smile as I taste the next cake, not because I’ all those possibilities The next is a deep, delicious chocolate that I savor with a ets that a lot”

“It totally stays,” I say, then grin wickedly at her “In fact, let’s have a dozen packed up to take with us on the honeymoon”

We’re laughing, and Sally’s askingher that it’s a secret even from me—a Damien Stark surprise—when my mother clicks her way over on her nail-point heels She stops in front ofwith Sally

“Chocolate, yellohite,” she says “A pound cake A cheesecake If you insist on doing cupcakes at least stick with traditional flavors”

“I don’t know,” I say, taking a second bite of the cupcake I’ on “This one—butternut?—is to die for”

“It’s very popular,” Sally says “But try the strawberry”

My mother reaches over and snatches the fork out of oing to get in the spirit and try the cake But all she does is point the tines at me “Honestly, Nichole,” she says, in a tone that leaves no doubt that I have co? Have you thought about your waist? Your hips? Not to mention your skin!”

She turns to Sally, who is clearly struggling to wipe the expression of appalled shock off her face “Bless her little heart,” ar, “but et into soown”

“Nikki is a lovely young wo to look stunning at her wedding”

“Of course she will,”farther and farther fro down some tunnel, away fro

“That’s why I’hter knows she has no self-control about things that are bad for her— cakes, candy, e whisper “I’ve always been there to help her keep her eye on the prize”