“What’s going on?” Cal appeared, Zoe in tow. “Whoa. What’s that?”
“M got Mom the dough roller of her dreams.” Daniella seemed totake satisfaction in knowing something Cal didn’t.
Tanya emerged next, followed by Erin and Jack. Then Julia withOlivia and Joss. The exact thing she didn’t want to happen was happening. Theonly thing worse than becoming the center of attention was having Mel rightthere with her, part of the spectacle.
Mel lifted an arm. “No need to stop the party, folks. I was justgiving Amanda her bakery warming present.”
Amanda closed her eyes and wished she could simply melt into thepavement. And maybe reappear in the kitchen all by herself. Or home. Or maybein Quinn’s cabin, preferably with Quinn. Anywhere but here. With Mel. And anaudience.
She braved a look around, not wanting to see Quinn, but needingto know if she was among the onlookers. It was a silly question. Of course shewas. And if the look on Quinn’s face was anything to go on, she’d have beenbetter off not knowing. She turned back to Mel. “You really, really shouldn’thave.”
“Sure she should have,” Daniella said and started to clap.
As it so often did in this sort of situation, people started tojoin in, and the next thing she knew, everyone was applauding. It would havebeen sweet if it hadn’t been so humiliating. She waved her hands in a futileattempt to make it stop. Eventually, it did. Only everyone continued to look ather and Mel and the large and shiny dough sheeter. Daniella stepped forwardwith two glasses of champagne. She handed one to each of them, like the wholething had been perfectly orchestrated.
“Since we’re all out here, what do you say we raise a glass tothe return of Bake My Day? And, of course, its beautiful owner.” Mel lifted herglass. “To Amanda.”
A chorus of “to Amanda” enveloped her. Much like the applause,she appreciated the sentiment, even as being the center of attention made hercringe. She looked back to where Quinn had been, only Quinn was no longerthere.
She was pretty sure things couldn’t get any worse.
“All right. All right. I think I’ve officially exceeded mycapacity for being in the spotlight.”
That earned her a good laugh from the crowd. She gestured to thebakery and people shuffled inside. A few used it as their cue to offercongratulations and head out. Inside, guests continued to help themselves tosnacks. She looked around for Quinn but didn’t see her. Great.
“Could we talk for a minute?”
Mel’s voice behind her made her jump. “Really? You didn’t getenough attention outside?”
“Please.”
She should say no on principle. She should also go find Quinn.But she wanted to give Mel a piece of her mind while her irritation was stillfresh. “Fine. Come with me.”
She led them through the kitchen to the decorating room, quietand removed from the bustle of the party. “You shouldn’t have bought me such alavish gift.”
“I stand by what I said. You deserve it. But I’d be lying if Isaid that was the only reason I bought it for you.”
The embarrassment of before gave way to a sprouting seed ofdread. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Mel took a step toward her. “Surely you do.”
Part of her did. Part of her knew deep down exactly what Mel wasgetting at. But she’d be damned if she was going to own it. Or give Mel eventhe slightest hint of encouragement. “I do not. And I’m pretty sure anythingyou have to say on the matter will turn out to be something we both regret.”
“I’ve ended it with Bella. Amanda, I’m in love with you.” Melmade it sound like a declaration of victory.
Victory for whom was the question. “Mel, we’re not doing this.I’ve told you that. Several times, in fact.”
“But you thought I was trying to play both sides. I’m not doingthat anymore.”
Amanda rubbed her hands over her face. She wondered if Mel’s useof “anymore” even registered. “That isn’t the reason. If you actually listenedto me instead of fixating on what you want, you’d know that.”
“Is this gesture not grand enough for you? Is that the problem? Ican go grand.” Mel squared her shoulders and patted her chest, like it was apoint of pride.
“Jesus Christ, Mel. No.” She couldn’t keep the irritation fromher voice. Even now, Mel pulled out the same old bag of tricks. And with it,that same old way of making everything about her.
“What will it take then? I’m prepared to do whatever you ask.”
She couldn’t come up with an honest answer that didn’t feel atleast a little bit cruel. “There’s nothing. It’s not about that.”
Mel’s brow creased, like she heard Amanda’s words but they didn’tcompute. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not in love with you. I haven’t been in love with you for avery long time.” It was the first time she’d ever had to say such a thing. Asmuch as she didn’t want to, especially right now, it hit her how significant itwas to say it out loud.
“So, the last few months meant nothing to you?”
She shook her head. “You say that like we’ve had this wholeaffair.”
Mel looked genuinely confused. “Didn’t we?”
As much as she didn’t want to rehash the specifics, it seemedlike that was the only way she was going to get anywhere. “We slept togethertwice. One of those times was a drunken accident. That’s it.”
“But we had dinner, we hung out.”
“And we planned one date and you stood me up.”
Mel pounced. “You’re still mad about that, I can tell. I’ve saidI’d make it up to you.”
Her patience snapped. “You’re not listening to me. You neverlisten to me.”
That seemed to catch her attention. “I listen.”
“Then it’s worse because it means you hear what I’m saying andchoose to ignore it.” How could she not see that?
Mel offered a playful smile. “Is it so bad if I want to convinceyou I’m right?”
“I’m not a target market, Mel. I’m not some coveted demographicyou’re trying to sway to your product.” She’d never used that analogy before,but it struck her how much it resonated. Now, but also during their marriage.Even when it came to matters of the
