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How To Bake The Perfect Wedding Cake
Gina Calanni
A three-tiered cake. A groom to take. Here comes the bride! After an explosive 4th of July, Lauren Hauser is glad to finally be home with gorgeous fiancé Jack by her side. With only three months to go till their wedding, Lauren needs to get planning. But she can’t even choose a wedding dress, let alone a maid of honour!And with her job drastically taking a turn for the worse, the wedding quickly approaching and a blast from the past causing problems, Lauren feels like she’s losing the bridal battle.At least baking their perfect wedding cake together is something she and Jack, as award-winning bakers, are excited about! But when a surprise wedding gift arrives earlier than expected, suddenly Lauren must take back control of her job, her life and her wedding – before she says ‘I do’!Don't miss the brilliant fourth book in the Home for the Holidays series from Gina Henning.The Home for the Holidays series:Book 1 - How to Bake the Perfect Pecan PieBook 2 - How to Bake the Perfect Christmas CakeBook 3 - How to Bake the Perfect Apple PieBook 4 - How to Bake the Perfect Wedding Cake
A three-tiered cake. A groom to take. Here comes the bride!
After an explosive Fourth of July, Lauren Hauser is glad to finally be home with gorgeous fiancé Jack by her side. With only three months to go till their wedding, Lauren needs to get planning. But she can’t even choose a wedding dress, let alone a maid of honor!
And with her job drastically taking a turn for the worse, the wedding quickly approaching, and a blast from the past causing problems, Lauren feels like she’s losing the bridal battle.
At least baking their perfect wedding cake together is something she and Jack, as award-winning bakers, are excited about! But when a surprise wedding gift arrives earlier than expected, suddenly Lauren must take back control of her job, her life, and her wedding—before she says “I do”!
Also by Gina Calanni (#ulink_75c2a9eb-fe44-55e7-b08c-5f6b32cc8f27):
Home for the Holidays
How to Bake the Perfect Pecan PieHow to Bake the Perfect Christmas CakeHow to Bake the Perfect Apple PieHow to Bake the Perfect Wedding Cake
Ice Cream Dreams
Dream Come TrueDream A Little Dream
How to Bake the Perfect Wedding Cake
Gina Calanni
Copyright (#ulink_e73a68f4-32b9-5891-83e8-9aec29664edf)
HQ
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF
First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2015
Copyright © Gina Calanni 2015
Gina Calanni asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
E-book Edition © June 2015 ISBN: 9781474045049
Version date: 2018-06-20
GINA CALANNI
currently resides where bluebonnets line the highways in the spring, but she prefers the rock flower anemone from under the sea. Above the ocean’s surface Gina likes to bake with her three boys and run like the ground is crumbling beneath her feet while being dragged along by her pooch, Schatzi, Music is the backbone of each one of Gina’s books and her favorite button to press is repeat. At the end of the day Gina’s glass of wine is always half full.
You can follow Gina on Twitter at @Gina_Calanni Instagram: @gina_calanni
Check out www.ginacalanni.com (http://www.ginacalanni.com) to keep up to date with the latest scoop in her life.
To Ethan, Beck, and Jude I look forward to the day that I shall taste the cake at your weddings.
To my mom, and to the stars that aligned to make me yours.
To Kierney Scott, thank you even though we didn’t work on this book together, writing with you has been a thrill and my “ing” has never been better. Boom.
To Engy Albasel Neville, thank you my friend for the various discussions about scenes for this book.
To Tracie Banister, my author consigliere thank you for your continued support and guidance.
To my Gems, especially the Fembot thank you for the many suggestions and support.
To Bethany-words cannot express my many thanks to my dear friend who is amazing!
To Charlotte my editor, thank you for challenging me to bring my writing to another level.
Thank you to my fabulous Carina UK family, I love our group and the fun chats we have.
And finally thank you to my pooch Schatzi, who is always ready for our special treat time.
For Maria Barcelo
You have made more cakes than I can count. From the realistic chocolate wine bottle, beyond compare for my birthday to my college graduation cake with the girl dancing barefoot in the flowers with the St. Edward’s crest in the background. Each cake has risen to the next level. The amount of detail, delicacy, and diligence that you put into each one of your creations is the very essence of the precise recipe for how to bake the perfect wedding cake.
Contents
Cover (#ub32b1d0b-14b0-5819-91de-9604d82cf1a4)
Blurb (#u22b9b545-d03c-5172-addb-c6ae06731155)
Book List (#ulink_c7540069-54bf-5c40-bc4f-1280e9e4fda9)
Title Page (#uc9c34bde-767f-5653-bb7c-789fb0933354)
Copyright (#uc5c933b5-323a-5888-a4f0-a12449946fc0)
Author Bio (#u808881fc-2f2e-5f6c-b7d3-49181204bf00)
Acknowledgements (#u261cf57e-5d2f-5794-95ce-43b98024f9fb)
Dedication (#u9cea59a7-209f-5942-ba54-cb432ae1caea)
Chapter One (#ulink_d85f622d-abfd-5d71-93ad-15398afeddc4)
Chapter Two (#ulink_ece6cdb5-204b-5eb4-9db8-b1efd4c49888)
Chapter Three (#ulink_1c1ca395-d821-5025-b0c9-61d5e870a0e3)
Chapter Four (#ulink_941d3263-741c-5c45-a658-68518048acbd)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Excerpt (#litres_trial_promo)
Endpages (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ulink_e9b5a902-b6ed-5c9f-9aa3-589536df42eb)
An ocean of white is flowing before me. Waves and waves of variations of styles and fabrics of wedding dresses. Wedding dresses. I squeal a little for a second and Brianna clasps my hand. I almost can’t believe I’m shopping for my wedding dress. I saunter down the aisle to the rhythm of Pachelbel’s Canon in D as I let my fingers dance along the soft silks and brush over the catchy lace.
I’m so caught up in this moment and I can’t wait to be caught up in Jack. With Jack, forever. We are finally getting married. Married. It’s been less than a year since I met him, and I know that seems fast and that maybe we don’t know each other’s quirks, but it doesn’t matter. Love conquers all. I know that. I feel that.
I check the size tag and toss one of each style in front of me to Brianna as I circle around to the next aisle. I want to try on every possible design. I’ve been studying styles like a hungry law student prepping for the bar. I want to get this right. I have to find the perfect dress. I want to have the perfect wedding. I’ve already got the perfect guy so I just need to make everything else align, which means finding the perfect dress.
My best friend, Brianna, is here at my side to make sure I do just that. She has impeccable fashion sense and I know she will help me in creating the perfect wedding dress ensemble. She knows my body faults…nothing big, but I definitely wouldn’t be someone who needs extra padding or fabric around my hips. I’m not Shakira—unlike hers, my hips need to lie about their size. They are not exactly petite. Ha! I’ve actually crossed over into the petite dresses. Time to reroute. I glance at Brianna who is buried under a pile of dresses. Her shiny black hair is a sharp contrast against the white sheen.
“Can’t breathe. How about you try a few of these on?” Brianna gasps through the gauze covering the bottom half of her face.
I let out a laugh. “Okay, of course. But this is just the beginning. We’ve only gone through three of—” I glance around the store. There has to be at least twenty rows of dresses. Could they all be different? We probably should have begun the search earlier. I can’t imagine us even making it through this store in a day and it’s only the first store I have on my list of all-star bridal shops. Yes, I made a list, which is more like my sister, Megan, than me. But I’m all in for this wedding and the marriage. I’m not a whacko-bride who only cares about the wedding. I do care about having a great wedding, but I want the wedding to precede a wonderful marriage. Obviously, the marriage is more important. But weddings do have a purpose and I want mine to provide a start to many more happy moments filled with the love I have for Jack and his in return for me.
“We’ve only gone through three of many. Come on, let’s not get hung up on the details yet. We have to find the contenders and then we can fixate on each stitch and sweetheart neckline.” Brianna pulls the dresses under her own neck and cocks her head towards the back of the store.
I nod and follow behind her. I’m almost marching. My knees lift a bit and my elbows swish against my sides. I’m ready to do this. This. My heart pitter pats inside my chest that is so full of excitement and love. It’s almost overwhelming.
Brianna halts in front of me. And drops the dresses on a chair. “Okay, this place is like five-star reviewed on Yelp and yet here we are without an assistant.” She squints her green eyes to scan the building. It’s filled with other hopeful brides and their families, bridesmaids, or maids of honor. I swallow. I still haven’t chosen mine. Brianna raises her hand, alerting me to wait in my spot.
I gaze over the white fabrics. Brocades, Chantilly, Chiffon, and Crepe. It’s so white. Whiter than white. I guess this is why there are variations of the shade but how am I supposed to find the perfect dress? My ray of light of finding the perfect dress is drifting away like a rescue boat of opportunity that I will miss. My chest tightens as I take a step back.
It’s okay. Take a deep breath. It’s been a couple years since I’ve had a panic attack. I’ve learned to manage my anxiety and not freak out. Even if I did, that would be okay too. I would go back to my sessions, find my anchor. The place I can hold on to and focus.
Rows upon rows of who knows how many shades of white are glaring at me. Think calm thoughts. The beach. We haven’t chosen a honeymoon. No, not the beach. Think of Jack. Yes, Jack. He is my go-to comfort zone. I’m good with him. I take in another deep breath. There, good. I’m okay.
I glance back at all the dresses. They are animated in my mind. Like they’re all saying pick me, choose me. I’m the right one. Say YES to this dress! It’s almost like I’m on The Bachelorette the way these dresses are throwing themselves at me. Showing off all their sequins and sparkles, hints of glitter there, and don’t even get me started on the lace. It’s all too much. I need to find a chair. To the right of my pile of dresses is an empty chair and I slide into it.
Why do I do this to myself? I’ve made plenty of great decisions in my life. I didn’t get to where I am at Calstone Corp with anyone else’s assistance. I deliberately slow my breathing. Probably just a little wedding jitters. I bet if Jack were with me he would squeeze my hand and with the mere essence of his hand over mine I would be calm and comforted. Yes.
My phone buzzes almost as if on cue from inside my purse. Before I even see the caller ID, I’m sure it’s Jack. My cheeks warm.
“Hello, Ms. Soon-to-be-Walker, what are you doing? Better yet what are you wearing?” Jack’s voice sends little fireworks over my neck and onto my shoulders.
“I’m wearing the same thing I was the last time you saw me.”
“I thought you were going dress shopping?”
I laugh. “I am.”
“How many dresses have you tried on?”
My stomach clenches. “None,” I say almost like a question.
“Are you feeling okay?”
I pat down my jeans. “Yes, I’m fine. We’re waiting on getting a fitting room.” I breathe out slowly.
“Is there a long line or something?”
“No, we—” I laugh. “Actually, Brianna is hunting down someone right now.”
“All right, well if you have to wait much longer maybe you should find a different store.”
“No way. I have a pile of dresses here. I can’t just abandon them. I’ll see you for dinner, okay?” I glance up and see Brianna approaching.
“Yes, be prepared to have all your taste buds awakened.”
I let out a giggle. “That sounds like a promise.”
