Novel Palace
42
Elena nodded, “Yes, I am. And I’m not going to force you to like him or anything like that, but I just need you to be a supportive sister. I want you to have my back whether it works out or not, because that’s what we’ve always done. Look out for each other.”
Emily nodded, “Fine,” she said “Believe it or not, Sis, I am happy for you,”
Elena smiled, “You are?”
“Yeah I am. You seem so bubbly when you talk about him and I know what that feels like, but please, don’t fall too hard just yet. Enjoy what you have with him, and see how serious he wants to get, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Emily,”
“You’re welcome. Now, how thrilled are you about going shopping with Laura Kendrick?”
Elena narrowed her eyes and they exchanged looks, then they both burst into laughter.
————–
Shopping with Laura Kendrick didn’t turn out to be so bad, but Elena knew it was also because she’d literally forced Beth and Emily to come with her. Charlotte was barely around except for the time they went dress shopping. She’d hooked up with some guy Elena later found out to be one of Elijah’s childhood friends, and now she was hanging out with him all the time. Elena admired the way Charlotte had taken the opportunity to turn the wedding trip to a mini vacation.
Preparations for the wedding were ongoing, and she barely saw Chandler during the day. Every time she saw him, she was busy… Or he was busy or with someone else, so all they’d given each other were awkward hellos, quick sneaky glances and on one occasion she’d caught him staring at her quite intensely. She was with Beth at the time, walking into the house, and Chandler had been standing outside talking on the phone. The way he’d looked at her both flattered and embarrassed her at the same time. If nothing else, Chandler Kendrick was damn good for her ego. He looked at her as if she were the only woman in the world-no, as if she were the only woman in the world he wanted. That want was apparent in his eyes, which had grown darker than their usual brown color. It reminded her of the kiss they’d shared and she just knew he was thinking about the same thing. Even Beth noticed and she had teased her about it.
“He wants you,” Beth had told her after they went inside and she was sure no one could hear them.
“What?” Elena had swallowed hard before turning to her friend, so distracted due to her thoughts that she had not heard what Beth said. This didn’t help her case because Beth laughed even harder now.
“Could you want him more?” she’d asked Elena, who frowned and shrugged like she had no idea what Beth was talking about. “I don’t blame you. If a man that hot stared at me like that, I’d be dazed too,”
Elena had said nothing, but her cheeks turned bright pink. She missed Chandler… At least she could admit that to herself now. They hadn’t even had the chance to talk about the kiss, or what the fuck they were doing with each other. Yes, they both knew that they had feelings for each other, and that fireworks exploded in their heads when they kissed, but were they going to be a couple? Friends with benefits? Or were they going to pretend that nothing had happened. Elena tried to focus on the task at hand. She wasn’t going to ruin Lexi’s and Elijah’s wedding cake because she kept thinking about the best man, but he kept popping into her head and wouldn’t go away. He was like a newly found addiction. Her body craved for him, and her heart wouldn’t stop fluttering ridiculously every time he was around.
She was probably just horny, she told herself over and over again. It had been a while since she’d had sex… That had to be it, and that mind blowing kiss had blown that horniness out of proportion. Even if she threw caution into the air and asked Chandler for it, he still wouldn’t because he was worried that she’d regret it. Silly man, she thought. Men could be annoying sometimes. They acted like they knew everything, and Chandler had no idea how she was feeling.
She spent the next day baking the wedding cake and when she was finally done, she took a moment to stare in awe at the magic she’d created. It was indeed a very beautiful cake and she knew that Lexi would love it. The masterpiece stood on the kitchen counter, and a sweet aroma of vanilla and buttercream wafted through the air. Each tier boasted a velvety texture, inviting anyone who laid eyes upon it to indulge in its splendor.
Adorned with intricate details, the cake was a sight to behold. The bottom tier was wrapped in soft, pastel-colored fondant, delicately etched with elegant floral patterns that intertwined like a lover’s embrace. Tiny edible pearls were meticulously placed at the center of each bloom, adding a touch of whimsy and refinement.Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
Ascending to the second tier, a cascade of sugarcrafted roses in various shades of pink, crimson, and ivory graced the surface, their petals appearing almost lifelike in their beauty. Glistening sugar dew adorned the edges of the petals, giving the illusion of morning dew clinging to nature’s delicate creation.
The top tier held a miniature replica of a swing, expertly carved out of fondant and suspended by a delicate edible sugar rope from a gossamer sugar tree. Two fondant figurines sat on the swing, portraying Lexi and Elijah, frozen in a sweet embrace, their smiles capturing the essence of joy and love.
The wedding would be taking place the next day and after the day she had had, Elena was exhausted. She wondered what everyone was doing. Probably having fun in anticipation for the big day tomorrow. She would have loved to join them, but she was exhausted and she needed her sleep as she was also going to be one of the bridesmaids, so she headed upstairs to her room.
Inside, she got undressed quickly and rushed into the bathroom where she took a warm, relaxing shower. She let the water cascade down her body for a while before she finally turned off the water and dried her body up. Walking back into the room she exchanged her towel for a red, silk robe she’d brought with her, and then she jumped into the bed.