Chapter 5- Holy Hot cookies, has the Sun turned into a popsicle?
You know that moment, as a child when you always think your life would make sense as you grow up? And things would magically get better with time and experience and age?
Right.
That was me.
me, when I was in California. I always thought but my life would get better as I grew up and left home as it made no sense back then with dysfunctional parents, crummy love life and awkward situations with high school. Now, my life was a little bit more sorted but I could not seem to make simple decisions about if I was in trouble or not, if I should tell my best friends about Ryan’s new antics. Life hadn’t started making any more sense.
With a psychopath ex–boyfriend sending crooked messages and blank calls and bad luck, how could it make sense?
“Do you think that ivory white would be a good color for the table cloth, Soph?”
“Yeah.”
“Dont you think lilacs would look better than tulips?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you think I should dye my hair blue?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re not listening to me, right?”
“Yeah.”
‘Soph! Get back on planet earth! Alex bellowed.
I shook my head, snapping out of my thoughts, blinking rapidly.
“Huh?”
Alex shook his head, glaring at me while Blake looked very amused.
“Well, I’m glad I have your undivided attention Sophia.” Alex sassed
I sighed. “I’m sorry. I had a lot in my mind, you know work stuff.” I hoped Alex didn’t see through my lie because I literally couldn’t tell a lie to save my life, but thank fully Alex didn’t notice.
“Whatever. You better get your head back here. What kind of best woman are you?”
I raised my hand in surrender, not wanting to hear Alex b***h about me being the worst best woman in history.
Im sorry, I’m sorry. I’m full on wedding planning mode. I swear.”
We were currently planning wedding arrangements for Alex and Blake’s wedding since they were getting married in seven weeks and I was the best man. It felt cool in a way. I mean, how many chic’s got to be best man or best woman? You can cross Sarah Jessica Parker from s*x and the City 2 off the list.
We were halfway through browsing wedding venues that the planner had picked when Trish bustled in, apologizing profusely. looking every inch of the trussed up woman that she was. She was holding her purse, her handbag, two shopping bags, a Chinese take–out bag and a brown paper bag in her hand like she was auditioning as a circus juggler, while barking orders in the phone that was balanced between her ear and shoulder while mouthing sorry.
She is a busy woman.
Thelped get her bags off her as she settled down snapping her phone shut while Blake took her coat and hung it behind the
chair.
Whew! Sorry guys, I’m late. I had to drive Marvin for his dress rehearsal then I had to pick up the dry cleaning and buy Marvin a new baseball glove, I decided I’ll pick up some Chinese along the way. Then I had to settle up the order’s for that office party at Darson’s plus I had the food tasting and I landed with a gig with the Marianna group for next month and boy, I’m so sorry!”
Blake patted the poor woman’s shoulder.
“Calm down, superwoman. We understand.”
Trish breathed out in relief and looked at the papers, booklet’s and brochures that were spread messily in front of us.
“So, what are we doing exactly?”
The next three hours were spent discussing the wedding, Madison, their wedding planner was phenomenal personified in blonde ringlets, green eyes, hot red lips unusual Middle Eastern accent and sleek Prada heels.
“So I’ll get working on the schedule for the cake tasting confirm the venue and let me know when you decide on the flower theme, personally I suggest Lilac’s, but it’s up to you. Good bye! With that Madison prepared to leave after flashing her pearly
whites.
“Alright! Thank you, we’ll walk you out.” Blake thanked her and walked her out with Alex trailing behind them.
“God! I don’t think I stressed this much at my wedding. Trish spoke with a mouthful of orange chicken.
I laughed and rolled my eyes. Trish was probably the only bride in history who didn’t break a sweat on her wedding. She had the perfect wedding every girl dreamed of. The venue was nestled in the back waters in Hawaii with the perfect sunset and all
Everything had been perfect that day, the weather to the food. Even that moment when Trish walked down the aisle with her father Sam escorting his positively glowing daughter to the look of awe and love on Dave’s face on the on the altar while looking at his bride come towards him.
Of course she didn’t stress because it was me, her mother Grace and her sister’s Lauren and Millie who were beheading people to get everything set to perfection.
eah, that was because me, Grace, Lau and Mills were the ones who ran around like headless chickens with their butts on fire.”
“Yeah,
Trish rolled her eyes.
“You weren’t the maid of honor for no particular reason,”
I smiled at
t the memory.
“Which reminds me, when is your hubby Dave coming back from his business trip?” I asked gobbling the last of my chicken fried
rice.
Trish’s eyes lit up
es lit up with the familiar teenage–dreamy look when I mentioned Dave. Those two had been the typical high–school
sweet hearts.
“This weekend. Marvin and I are planning to cook him his favourite dinner once he arrives from Boston.
“That’s so sweet.” I smiled as I peeled the yummy soufflés out of the brown paper bag which Trish had specifically bought for
I should’ve felt sad that my closest friends had found love and had settled while I was bouncing from one failed relationship to another and dangled in a mess. I was happy for them and I was not going to lose my hope in love just because it had failed me several times. My friends‘ relationships were an example that love did exist and I would wait till I found mine.
My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts.
Austin. I grinned.
Was this a sign?
Don’t be silly, Sophia
Trish wiggled her eyebrows when she read the caller–name making kissy noises. She got up to give me privacy.
I chuckled at her antics as I pressed the accept option.
“Hey there, Mr. Rich Pants!”
“Hello cupcake, you sound chipper today.” Austin commented.
“Well, I guess I am happy. I mean, I’m hogging Trish’s to die for soufflés after all by myself.”
“Well, I’m glad to know that you share.
I scoffed. “Me? Share soufflés? That’ll be as common as Narnia being at the back of my closet.
Austin laughed his deep, honey laugh that always made little butterflies flutter inside me.
“Of course, I forgot you were a glutton.”
“Hey! It’s called being a foodie, you twat.”
Austin chuckled.
“Alright, alright. Anyway what are you up to? Not raiding some poor baker’s shop, I hope?”
I rolled my eyes as I stuffed the last bit of soufflé in my mouth.
“el, uffor fufately, bo. fb ab Aleb and bwale, fe fust fent bro fum fedding tuff. I’bb best fan.”
“What? Swallow your food first. Manner’s cupcake.”
I rolled my eyes, and swallowed the soufflé and then spoke.
“I said, well, unfortunately no. I’m at Alex and Blake’s, we just went through some of the wedding stuff for their wedding, I’m the best man.” I declared the last part proudly.
Austin knew ever body from my circle, thanks to my big mouth.
Wow, that’s great. You’re the best man? That’s obviously rare for a woman.”
I grinned.
“So I’ve been told. Anyway what are you up to?”
“Me? The usual stuff, arranging meetings, running the restaurant’s, meeting entrepreneur’s plus wedding order’s and all. So yeah, I’ve been a little busy.
I let out a low whistle.
“You’re too modest. Being you must be crazy. You know Trish is also always like this. She owns this catering business. She’s forever busy too but her food is awfully good so she has a lot of clients. I guess all you food industry people are a bunch of busy-
bee’s.
“Trish owns a catering business?”
‘Yep.”
“What is it called?”
“EatExpress. Why?”
“Nothing. I was just asking.” He spoke and I frowned.
Did I just reveal Trish?
I then realized, that I knew very little about Austin, while he knew every fact about my life. I didn’t even know what his full name
was!
“Austin?”
Hm?
“What is your full name?”
“Why? Do you want to Google me?”
“Do you have a problem?”
“Should I have a problem?”
“Well then why are you not saying it?”
“Why should I say it?”
“Because I said so!”
I just sounded like Daphne, from that movie “Because I said so.Jeez.
“But what if you are an ax–murderer?”
“I’m hurt, Austin. And it’s funny how you are so inclined to call this ax- murderer every single day. I believ-”
“Christ, alright. Don’t start biting my head of ”
“You make me sound like an animal-”
“My full name is Austin Richard Hamilton.”
Hamilton, Hamilton…why did that ring a bell?
“And I am ordinary Sophia Colleen Martell,”
“With an undeniable extraordinary mouth.”
“Hey!”
He laughed.
“Alright I need to go, I’ll catch up with you later cupcake.”
“Hasta la Vista, Mr. Rich pants. I sang and cut the call.
I set my phone aside with a small smile. Loud voices is what broke my peaceful bubble.
1 frowned and followed the loud voices outside.
Trish, Blake and Alex were full on “World War three‘ argument mode.
‘Freesia is an awful choice!”
“So is baby’s breath!”
What is wrong with lilacs?
“It is just so gay!”
“Did you just stereotype, Trish? And I am gay!”
I blinked, this did not look good.
“Guys-”
“I did not mean to stereotype but lilacs are so last season!”
“Lilacs are never last season!”
“Guys!”
t is wrong with
“What is wrong with baby’s breath?”
“Nothing! Unless you are planning to marry my dead body!”
“Guys! Cut it-”
“How dare you!?”
“TM PREGNANT!” I yelled and immediately all three of them shut up and looked at me shocked.
“What?” they yelled in unison like they had been practicing it for years.
“Just kidding.” I grinned sheepishly.
They all groaned and facepalmed, shaking their heads.
“What? I needed to get you guys to shut up, Who on earth fights over flowers? Now shut your pie holes, get the hell out of each other’s way and cool down your bum’s. All of you” I ordered.
I assembled all my things and Trish’s stuff and marched to the door grabbing Trish’s hand.
“We are leaving. Now. Adios!”
Trish quickly grabbed her coat and purse and followed me out.
“Now, what was all that about?” I asked, fastening my coat and tightening my scarf as we walked out.
“Ugh, nothing, just a stupid argument that started after Blake pointed out that he would like flowers in the archway of the
entrance.”
I shook my head.
“You guys are absolutely cuckoo.”
The wind around us started to get chilly as I shivered.
“Fancy a cup of coffee my lady?” I asked in a fake british accent.
Man do I sound regal.
“Man, do you sound dumb,” Trish chuckled.
“That accent doesn’t suit you, for sure, now let’s go for coffee sir Dorkshire.”
We laughed as we made our way to the cozy “Book ‘n cafe‘ that was tucked to the cozy side of town. It was a homely place with the lovely smell of cakes and rolls in the air. It had fairy lights hanging delicately from the ceiling, throwing that comfy feeling. The ceiling and floor were hardwood oak complete with comfortable couches and beanbags that swallowed you whole when you sat on them. Undoubtedly, these were my favourite places.
Trish ordered a capuchino while I ordered a mocha with some swiss chocolate rolls for both of us.
I grabbed a Harlequin novel while Trish waited to get our orders.
I sighed looking at the book in my hands.
It was a tale of two lovers that belonged from two different worlds and I felt my heart tug sadly at my state.
Sometimes, I couldn’t help but wish that I was like those amazing girls in these novels hopelessly unaware when their one true love comes knocking at their door and sweeps them of their feet. And then takes them down a wonderful road of dreams and
love and hope till they ride into sunset together.
La. La. La. Everything candy sweet.
I was not bitter from my experiences but I wished that I could find my one true love.
Who would he be?
“Sophia! Come on hon! I have our orders.” Trish called out snapping me out from my thoughts.
I quickly bought my book and then went to join Trish in the comfortable couch as she handed me my hot Mocha,
I breathed in the lovely coffee and chocolaty smell and sighed.
“Ah,heaven. Trish smiled as she sipped her coffee.
I
Trish and I caught up on each other and I felt happy and content. I didn’t care about my problems. I was in my happy space, for
now
“So Soph, how’s it going with Wrong Number?”
I smiled
“It’s Austin and we are fine. I found a friend in him, I guess.”
Trish wiggled her eyebrows,
“He calls you every day! I hear wedding bells!”
I rolled my eyes.
Richard
“You are delusional Trish, we’re friends. I haven’t even seen him. The one valid fact I know about him is that he is Austin R Hamilton.”
“What?!” Trish screeched, eyes wide looking as if I just told her I was having an affair with Brad Pitt. She did cause a scene as everybody turned to look at us reproachfully
I slinked down in my seat glaring at my best
“What is wrong with-”
friend.
“Ohmygosh Soph! Did you just say Austin Hamilton?”
I raised my eyebrow, sipping my Mocha. I don’t understand what the big deal was.
“Yeah..”
“How old is he?”
“Twenty six..”
“What does he do?”
1 quirked an eyebrow at her, confused by her sudden questions.
“He owns a chain of restaurants. I think, that’s what he said and-”
I was cut off by a very, very out of character Trish squeal. It was loud enough to make me deaf, or the entire cafe to be exact.” “Jesus! Trish, what the hell? Calm down woman. What happened?” I asked mouthing sorry to all the customers who were giving
us the stink eye.
“You’ll get us kicked out of here, what happened you crazy woman?”
“What happened? What happened? You crazy, stupid, naïve girl, do you realize that this Austin Hamilton that you have befriended just so happens to be the most richest, most youngest eligible bachelor in the friggin country? And he also happens to own ten M ichelin star restraunts and a chain of world class hotel’s. He is one of the youngest bloody billionaires in America!”
I spat back all the mocha I was drinking back into my cup.
Disgusting, I know.
Holy hot cookies, has the Sun turned into a popsicle?”
“You hit gold Sophia!” Trish whistled just as my phone beeped with Austin’s message.
How you doin, cupcake?)
