“That’s an…an underst-statement,” Nina said through her tears. “I feel like he ripped my heart out and used it to wipe his boots on.”
“Oh, honey…” Maggie patted her back awkwardly. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured, looking at Nina anxiously. “I, uh, wish I knew what to say.”
“You’re doing just fine.” Nina sniffed and wiped at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just…when you said about the Hurkon collar, I couldn’t help it.”
“It’s okay.” Maggie gave her a quick hug. “Whatever it is, you can get through it. But it’s okay to cry—sometimes you can’t help it. Believe me—I know.”
Nina sniffed again and blotted her eyes on a napkin.
“Thanks, Maggie.” She tried to smile at the other girl. “You know, you don’t seem like the cold scientific type.”
“Oh, well…” Maggie smiled and shrugged uneasily. “I told you—that’s my fiancé’s department. I’m not usually the huggy-touchy-feely type either, but well, you seemed like you needed a hug.”
“You’re a sweetheart.” Nina blotted her eyes some more and sniffed again. She still felt sad, but at least she was more like herself now that she’d cried a little. She straightened up and took a deep breath. “Okay—better now. And look—here comes Lissa and she’s got Lauren with her.” Lissa had introduced her to all her friends, and Nina liked Lauren very much.
“Oh.” Maggie brightened. “I haven’t met her yet, but I’ve heard all about her from Sophia and Olivia.”
“She’s really easy going and laid back—not to mention she makes the most fabulous cupcakes you’ll ever taste,” Nina said.
“Hi, girls.” Lauren smiled at both of them as she came up and put a hand to her back. “How’s everyone doing? Ugh, better than me, I hope.” She rubbed her swollen belly. “My little girl is kicking me like crazy right now.”
Maggie frowned. “Is everyone on the Mother Ship pregnant? So far almost everyone I’ve met has either just had a baby or is about to have one. Olivia, Sophia, Kat, you…”
“Yeah, well, we all boarded the baby train around the same time,” Lauren said, laughing. “Or that’s how Kat puts it anyway. Speaking of the lady of the hour, she told me that you have some beautiful handwriting.” She nodded at Nina.
“Well, yes, I guess,” Nina said. “Um, why?”
“Well, I have these signs I need made for the different layers of the cake.” Lauren held out several large rectangles of thick, creamy cardstock with gold edges and a black felt marker. “And my own handwriting is just complete chicken scratch. So I was hoping…”
“Sure.” Nina took the cards and marker from her and sat down at the table. “What do you need them to say?”
“Here’s a list.” Lauren unfolded a piece of paper and handed it over to Nina who scanned it rapidly.
“Hmm… Chocolate with raspberry filling, white chocolate with apricot, Lemon with strawberry. And vanilla with…” She squinted at the paper—Lauren really did have bad handwriting. “Uh, bonding fruit? What’s that?”
“That is a bad idea, but Kat insisted.” Lauren sighed. “Be sure you put the warning on the bottom of the bonding fruit one.”
“Okay…” Nina read on with a frown. “Warning—bonded couples only.” She looked up at Lauren. “So only married couples can eat that layer? Why?”
“Because it’s extremely potent. I cooked about three bushels of bonding fruit down to make the puree for the filling and let me tell you—that stuff is concentrated. Just one bite is enough to make you climb your man like a tree—so you better have a man to climb if you taste it.”
“Excuse me,” Maggie said, her brown eyes interested behind her thick lenses. “But are you saying that this bonding fruit is actually an aphrodisiac? How fascinating.”
“It’s a lot more than fascinating if you eat too much of it,” Lauren said grimly. “I’m still not sure if it might not be too strong…”
“Well, I’ll be happy to write these out for you,” Nina said, smiling. “And I can’t wait to taste the cake—if it’s anything like your cupcakes it’s bound to be delicious.”
Lauren smiled. “It’s been so much fun to make. I enjoyed it so much I may start specializing in wedding cakes instead of cupcakes. But right now, I have to get back to it. Could you bring those to the reception area beside the sacred grove when you get done? You know the way, right?”