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make a choice based on that. She wanted them to have the cake they wanted most.
    “This one is dark chocolate and orange with chocolate buttercream and orange cream filling. Last is death by chocolate. Chocolate cake with chocolate shavings in the batter, ganache between the layers, chocolate buttercream frosting with chocolate curls. It’d be served with a drizzle of warm chocolate.”
    Gillian finished every last bit of the seven layer. “I love that you didn’t even bother with fondant or any of that fake whipped frosting stuff.”
    “I know you, Gillian. You’re a buttercream girl.”
    Gillian laughed. “Fondant is pretty but it tastes like glue. If I’m having cake, I want it to be delicious.”
    Adrian held his hands up in surrender. “I vote the seven-layer chocolate with salted caramel. I want to be buried in that cake when I die.”
    “He’s right. Jules, this is all great, but this cake right here is perfect. Please make it for our wedding.” Gillian put her head on Adrian’s shoulder.
    “Are you sure? You haven’t sampled the others.”
    “I’m sure. Though I will sample the others as well.” Gillian winked and they all dug into the yellow cake slices on the next plate.
    “I guess that is that.” Jules sat back with a smile.
    “It was your favorite all along, wasn’t it?”
    “Yes, but I didn’t want to unfairly influence you. It sounds heavy, but it’s really good. The flavors work well together. The cake will go with just about any type of food Mary creates.”
    Gillian nodded. “We’ve gone with an all-finger-foods deal. And I made her promise to hire all the staff she’ll need so she can enjoy the wedding like every other member of the wedding party. You will too of course. You’re the maid of honor; can’t have you working when you need to help keep me sane.”
    “Well, my job is simpler than Mary’s. The work will be done before the wedding. You’re doing it in the late afternoon so the delivery will be easy enough. I just have to swan around and accept all the love for it. Easy peasy.”
    “Let’s go into the living room. I need to lean back a little as I’m stuffed full of cake.” Gillian led the way into the other room where they settled on the couch while Adrian pulled the curtains closed.
    “What’s new? Other than cake and stuff, that is,” Gillian asked.
    “I hit some local businesses this week and spoke to a few in Seattle and outward. This ‘locally produced goods’ thing is working well. Mary and I are both already using some of the stuff in our products. We got Brindle Printery to do these little signs for the case that indicate what local products are used in which of our goods. We traded! That’s been fun and it’s enabled me to meet more people around the island. Oh, and an old friend is back in town. Patrick Carter’s grandson Gideon has moved in to help his grandfather run the farm. He’s also ridiculously tasty.”
    Gillian’s laugh was easy and affectionate. “Really? Do tell.”
    She did, including his visit to Tart that afternoon.
    “I like to hear this.” Gillian smiled. “You’re so pretty and fun and smart and special. I want you to have someone who sees that too.”
    “Whoa there, missy. I’m crushing on someone who flirted with me. That’s all. We’re not even dating. Don’t go getting ahead of yourself.”
    Adrian snorted as he brought them some tea. “If she can plan your life, she won’t be so stressed about the wedding. You really should let her do it. Don’t make the baby Jesus cry, Jules.”
    Jules laughed, loving how well Adrian had Gillian pegged.
    “Oy, you two.” Gillian attempted a prim look but neither Jules nor Adrian were fooled. “Easy to laugh. Don’t you think Jules is pretty, Adrian?”
    “Don’t answer that.” Jules rolled her eyes and turned to Gillian. “You can’t ask a man that. He’s going to explode trying to figure out how to answer without offending anyone. So anyway, it’s a fun thing,