Chapter 5
Mae
After getting myself ready and actually putting forth the effort to look good, I stand waiting on the group to arrive. Hoping I don't look like a total loser for being early, I head into the bakery to "check something". This will give me an excuse if anyone notices how early I am.
Just as I make it inside I see a very nervous-looking Alex walk up. He starts checking his appearance in a nearby car window and I can't help but giggle a little. I was so nervous that I never thought about him feeling the same.
I walk out the door and stand behind him enjoying the fact that he is completely engrossed in checking his appearance. I give him a couple more seconds and then clear my throat.
"Please tell me you just walked up and didn't see any of that."He says as he quickly turns around.
"So would you rather I tell you the truth or boost your confidence?" I ask smirking.
"Confidence. Please." He says smirking back.
"I just got here and I didn't even realize that you were here," I say shrugging.
"And this is why we are going to get along just fine." We both start laughing as Xavier and Chelsea walk-up.
"Hey Alex, Mae. You guys ready to go and grab something to eat?" Xavier says wrapping his arm around Chelsea's shoulder.
The biggest reason I agreed to this date was so I could watch them together. People often choose a cake based on a design. Most of the time that design has nothing to do with them as a couple. I like to make the cake reflect the couple. A wedding is a celebration of two people becoming one and I want my cake to show that.
"I thought we could go to an Italian restaurant that Chelsea and I like. It's just a few blocks away." With that Xavier grabs her hand and leads the way.
Just watching what I have so far shows that he loves her more than she will ever know. Not that I think that she doesn't love him, it's just that his love is all-encompassing. He loves every part of her good and bad. She looks at him and I see in her eyes that he is her hero. It is almost as if he has saved her from something.
"Alex, could I ask you a question about those two?" I turn and ask as we're walking.
"Sure," He says not missing a beat.
"Has he saved her from something?" The look on Alex's face says it all. There is something that has happened. "You don't need to tell me details. Your face said all I needed to know."
"Why'd you ask"
"When I design a cake I try to think of that couple's love story. What sets them apart from every other couple? I want the cake to be a symbol of their story, their love that they are sharing with their guests." I smile at him saying this.
"I never thought of it like that. It sounds amazing." He smiles back.
"It can be or it can be absolutely terrifying." I laugh at this. "Not every couple has a sharable love story. Some are just in it for the wrong reasons. That is when I struggle to make a cake."
"Ever you ever thought about designing your own cake?" Alex asks with some hesitance.
"I did once, but he made sure to ruin that. I haven't thought about it in a very long time. There has not been anyone worthy of having a love story with around." I give myself a self-deprecating smile.
"I know what you mean. Searched for years only to come up empty-handed. I just sat back and watched those two make their story." We both look forward to the two people we were talking about. They both have a smile on their face and I can see the love.
"It seems like so many have found their story and we are just late to the party," I say and chuckle to myself.
"Yeah, it's like it is almost too late for love." He says and starts laughing. "But if you ask my sister she would laugh in your face and say that my lady love is out there waiting for me to sweep her off her feet."
"My mom tried saying those things for years and I think she has finally gotten used to the idea that I can't find him no matter what. She still gives me the guilt over never having grandchildren." I huff out then end.
"Only child?" He asks as we get closer to the door of the restaurant.
"Yeah. They tried for more but it just didn't work out for them. So I get all that pent-up love for myself." I giggle and almost pass out over how goofy I sound.
We enter the restaurant and quickly get a table. The place is amazing with the atmosphere they have going on. It is one of those places where you can go casual or of an evening really do it up nice. I look over the menu and find my favorite. I look at Alex and he seems to be deep in thought about what to get.
I study him a little and find his facial expression rather adorable. His eyebrows are scrunched together and he has the look of a man trying to determine his last meal. I immediately smile and then notice that I am being watched by Xavier. He has a knowing smirk on his face and I feel myself flush with embarrassment. Damn, I was caught gawking at him.
"So Mae you said you like to get to know the couples for the design. What exactly do you want to know.?" Chelsea asks. her whole demeanor today is so much different that I feel bad for judging her before.
"Well, I want to hear your love story. Every couple has one and I want to know yours. It helps me to visualize you two and your love." I say smiling at her softly.
The waitress comes and we place our order. Everyone ends up getting something different and we get a few appetizers to share. Chelsea looks at Xavier and nods as if she is giving him the go-ahead.
"Well we grew up with each other but it wasn't until high school that we noticed each other. She was of course the prettiest girl in school and every guy wanted her except for maybe Alex." I hear Alex laugh.
"We were on a school trip to Florida to visit Disney. We didn't hang around each other or anything but that trip changed everything." He reaches over and takes her hand and I see tears in her eyes.
"I was in the park with my girlfriends when some guys came up to us. We tried to politely tell them we were not interested but they had other plans. One of them dragged me to an out-of-the-way corner of the park and tried to have his way with me." Chelsea speaks with a sad voice.
Xavier holds her hand tighter and rubs circles with his thumb trying to calm her. She smiles at him and I see the strength that he is giving her.
"Xavier happened to be nearby and saw what was happening. he saved me and my innocence. I have no idea what would have happened if he didn't come when he did." She smiles brightly and I think I have what I need.
"You have given me some wonderful ideas." just as I say this our food arrives and we start eating.
The meal is very good but I am enjoying the conversation more. Chelsea and Xavier have made it their mission to embarrass Alex. The stories are hilarious and I feel myself tearing up at all of them.
"One time Alex decided that he was not going to date anymore. So I thought it would be a good idea to set him up with one of my friends. I purposely picked the worst possible date for him. She said that he was the most boring man alive and that anyone thought dinner and movie was a date should be castrated." she is laughing so hard that I couldn't help but join her.
"You mean that you did that on purpose! I thought I had ventured into the seventh layer of hell that night." Alex says this with exasperation and I can see the shame and regret on his face. "I tried so hard to be nice but she drove me freakin crazy."
"This is golden. I thought I was the only one that had horrible dates." I say placing my hand on his shoulder.
"How about I tell you about the time we locked him out on the balcony of a hotel in only his boxers?" Xavier says wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
"Alright. Alright. We have spent enough time on embarrassing me, we have to save something for the second date." Alex says laughing.
"You want a second date?" I ask him smiling. I know this was supposed to be about the couple in front of me but I can't help but be attracted to Alex.
"Of course I do! These two have made me look so uncool and I need to redeem myself. Plus who wouldn't want a second date with someone as awesome as you?" His smile is one that could light up a room. I look around the table to see the other two smiling just as big.
"Well, Mister I guess you've earned yourself another date."