Sugar Rush

- | before | ii

"I've run up quite a bit of debt and this is the only option," I explained. "I could barely afford to cater for this wedding as it is, and I was lucky that Stella helped me. Anyway, it's for the best. Just Desserts has been around for a long time and it belonged to my dad. But he's no longer here now and... There's no use holding onto something when it's already gone, right?" I asked, with a sideway glance at him.

He nodded slowly. "I'm sorry to hear that. About your dad and the business."

"Thanks." I fixed a bright smile on my face. "Well, at least it's going out with a bang. And thanks for carrying that for me, by the way." I held out a hand for the plate, but he hesitated.

"I could help you bring it—"

"No, Stella would have my head if she saw a guest helping me." I tugged the plate from him and he reluctantly handed it over. He held the door open for me to step through and I smiled at him. "Go have fun. It's your mum's wedding, after all."

He nodded and we parted ways. I headed back to the dessert table to clear the old platters and unwrap the new ones. Within minutes, a small crowd had gathered. One of the men looked a little familiar. I stared at the blonde for a moment, before I realised that he was the guy who'd called Parker over earlier. Was that his friend Nolan? I bit back a grin as I watched him pile meringues on his plate, before he stuffed an eclair into his mouth.

When I finished setting up, I wandered off to the side. My gaze travelled to the centre of the garden, where a makeshift dance floor had been placed in front of the live jazz band. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't noticed Parker all through the reception. In between refilling the dessert and small talk with the guests, I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to him every so often.

It was always easy to find him. Not that he dressed differently or did anything to stand out. It was his height and poise that set him apart. Always self-assured; always dignified. He weaved through the crowd in an almost graceful manner—speaking to guests but never staying for long. Although he smiled frequently, it never seemed to reach his eyes. And every so often, he retreated back to his corner: by the reception table—far out of reach from everyone else.

Now, however, he was front and centre on the dance-floor with his mum. Rosemary Müller reminded me of those old Hollywood actors from movies I used to watch as a kid—with a graceful air and a classic beauty. I watched as Parker spun the bride in a smooth manoeuvre, then laughed when she spoke to him.

This time, his smile reached his eyes.

The sharp click of someone's heels made me turn, only to find Stella headed towards me with a smile on her face. No, a smirk. A smirk that meant she was on to me, and I braced myself for her next words.

"Look at you," she mused as she handed me a glass of champagne. I took it and sipped, enjoying the sweet and tart taste on my tongue. "Still the smitten kitten after all these years."

I turned my gaze back to the dance-floor, where Parker had just finished his dance with his mum. He grinned, playfully bowed when she mock-curtsied, and let her new husband sweep her up for another dance. I shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Really? So that wasn't Parker Collins I saw you walk in with earlier? And that isn't Parker Collins you're ogling right now?"

"I do not ogle! I'm just...observing."

She hummed and smiled sweetly at me. "You can call it whatever you want, but I know you've already stripped that suit off him a hundred times over in your head. Probably licked his abs a dozen times over too, and drizzled chocolate sauce down his happy trail."