Chapter 26

**Blue**


The cake tasting sounded fun and was in the begging but by my third slice I couldn’t taste the differences and I was not liking the idea of flowers in cake. What is that about?

My new phone makes a sound and I look down at it to see I have gotten a text message. From Artemis of all people. I hadn’t expected him to answer my email let alone send me a text. I didn’t take him for much of texter. Not that I’m experienced in that area either.

*Artemis: Do small businesses need security systems? *

I reread the text again and it doesn’t make anything clearer. What is he asking me?

*Me: Is this Artemis or some sort of prank thing?*

I reply. There are several seconds with no reply and I wait in anticipation.

*Artemis: It’s me. So?

It’s him. No way people are this abrupt even in text form.

Me: Okay, I’m not sure why you’re asking me. I don’t anything about business.

Artemis: But you know a small business owner.
*
Oh he’s talking about Monica. I’m surprised he remembers that I told him about her. I try to think about what sort of security Monica has set up, but I don’t know of any. It’s not like I have access to anything. I don’t think she even has a camera in that place.

*Me: I do, but I don’t think she has security. Maybe an alarm for the shop but that’s all I’ve noticed. *

I don’t hear from him for a minute or two so I figure he’s done talking so I turn back into this odd conversation about cake.

“…we don’t have an exact guest number yet but we are short on time and need to have this ready by Sunday.” Rhea is telling the woman sitting across the table from us.

“That is soon. We’ll have to charge extra for the short notice.”

Rhea waves her off. “Money isn’t an issue. Our family doesn’t want to skimp on anything.”

“Absolutely right!” The sound of another voice has us all turning to see Artemis’s mother walking toward us.

“Mrs. Rhodes! How wonderful you can join us.” The cake lady says standing and leaving us behind to greet her.

“Crap.” Rhea grumbles before breathing in a long breath and forcing a smile on her face.

Just in time for her mother to join us at the table. Mrs. Rhodes leans over and pulls Rhea into a half hug half air kiss.

“Mother, I didn’t know you were going to be joining us.” Rhea says once they pull apart.

“Of course, dear. I don’t want to miss a single thing. Now what did I miss?”

We go through everything again because Mrs. Rhodes tells us that she has a more refined palate thanks to her attending so many special events in her career. She claimed she knew what her friends would prefer and guess what she picked…rose extract and raspberry filling and a light lemon-flavored cake.

Basically, the only cake I hated, but I don’t say anything. By the way she kept glancing my way I think she was hoping I would object and make me out to be the bad guy. Rhea on the other hand tried to convince her that not many people would enjoy that pairing but Mrs. Rhodes wouldn’t change her mind.
As we’re preparing to leave I get another message from Artemis.

*Artemis: I would like to go with you to that café when we have the time.*

Uh what? He was all against me working there and now he’s okay with it.

*Artemis: Not to play. Only to meet the owner.*

And there we go…

I want to give him a piece of my mind but this is progress. Maybe if he sees there is nothing to worry about then he’ll get over his need to protect me and let me have some normalcy in my life.

*Me: Sure. Whenever you want. Oh your mother is here and decided on rose extract raspberry lemon cake for the wedding.

Artemis: What? Is that a real flavor?

Me: Yep. I won’t be eating cake at our wedding.

Artemis: I don’t think I’ll be eating that either. I’ll see about having a cake just for us made. *

That’s kind of…sweet. And confusing! He can be sweet sometimes and a total asshole at other times. It’s giving whiplash.

*Me: I will kiss the ground you walk on if you make that happen

Artemis: acts of worship are unnecessary but I’ll keep your willingness to show thanks in mind. Maybe I can find another way for you to thank me.*

I choke on nothing. What the fuck? I can’t tell if he was implying something or he doesn’t realize what that sounded like. Or I’m a pervert with my mind in the gutter. In my defense, he’s super-hot so I could just be a perv.

I don’t know how to reply to that so I don’t. Bryant walks into the cake shop and moves past Mrs. Rhodes to greet me and follow me out of the shop. Mrs. Rhodes scoffs but doesn’t comment on the fact that I have personal security and she doesn’t. I want to be smug about it, but that’s not me. Still that woman needs to be taken down a peg or two.

“Is that it for the day?” I ask Rhea when we reach the car we came in together.

“You’re very funny. Not even close. Time for dress shopping! And Athena is going to meet us at the dress boutique.” She smiles as she climbs into the car while I stand there looking sick to my stomach.

“Everything alright miss Blue?” Bryant asks moving to stand in front of me.

As if by habit, Dane moves to stand behind me. It makes me snort out a laugh.

“Is there anything wrong with dress shopping with my mother in law who clearly hates me and intends on making all the decisions?” I ask sarcastically.

“Let us know if we need to send an SOS to Mr. Rhodes.” Dane says from ehind me.

I turn to him with my mouth open in shock. “We can do that?”

He shrugs. “It’s an option but I’m not sure he would consider wedding dress shopping as a need for it.”

He’s probably right. Darn it.

“It’s fine. Let’s do this.” I pull on my big girl pants and climb into the car.

Big girl pants disappear as soon as we walk into the dress shop. There are so many dresses everywhere and all of them are worth more than my life.

“Hello Rhodes party! We have a room all ready for you.” A woman also dressed in white says.

I almost didn’t see her in this place. Everything is white!

“Did you set aside the dresses I asked for?” Mrs. Rhodes asks, moving past us to walk next to the shop lady.

“She called ahead?” I whisper to Rhea.

She sighs and nods. “She likes to have everything ready for arrival no matter where she goes.”

Wonderful…

The door to the shop opens again and in walks another stunning Rhodes woman. Athena smiles shyly and gives us a small wave.

“Hey sis!” Rhea says with a smile before walking over and wrapping her older sister in a hug.

Athena goes completely still for a second and looks like a deer in head lights but eventually hugs Rhea back. When she’s released, she walks up to me and holds her hand out to me.

“We didn’t get a chance to officially meet at lunch. I’m Athena, Artemis’s older sister.” Her voice is so soft that I could listen to her read the worst book ever written and I would love it.

“It’s nice to meet you officially. I’m Blue.” We shake hands and her smile grows.

“Your name is so unique. I love it.” She says and now I’m the one who looks shocked.

For a second I thought she might laugh.

“Thanks! Do you think I can pull off wearing a blue dress to this weeding?” I whisper to her, and she laughs.

Even that is soft, and she covers it with her hand to silence it.

“I don’t think mother would agree to that.” She says stating what I already know.

“A girl can dream.”

The three of us are directed to the arranged room by another woman who’s as quiet as Athena. When we arrive there are several dresses hanging on either side of the room. Which should be impossible seeing as they are all the size of giant marshmallows! Human sized marshmallows!!!

Nope. I can not do this. Absolutely not.

I take out my phone and do the only thing I know to do in this situation.

*Me: Artemis. SOS!!!! If you don’t get here soon our deal is over! I mean it! *

Okay, maybe this is a bit of an overreaction but seriously…hell no! I won’t be walking down the island as Glinda from the Wizard of OZ!