Chapter 76

“Are you done yet?” Sid pushed through the door and tapped his foot impatiently.

“Not yet” Cilla replied without looking up at him.

“How much longer?”

She rolled her eyes and huffed out a breath. “A few more minutes. Chill would ya.”

She was piping the marquee across the front of the cake. With a flourish she set down the bag of icing. “Now I’m done.” It was as close to perfect as she could make it.

She rolled her neck and shoulders. She had spent the better part of the last two days on this cake. All she could do now was hope and pray that they liked it.

Sid walked around the table, taking in the cake from all sides. “It’s amazing Cil.” He put his arm around her shoulders, “they’re going to love it.” He studied it for a minute longer. “It’ll be a shame to cut it.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a quick hug and cleaned up the small mess she had made. “That needs to sit for a few minutes to set. I’m going to go up and change.”

Sid followed her to the door. “Thank God. I was starting to think that you were going to wear your apron to the show.”

Pulling up behind the building Cilla eased the van to a stop right outside the back door. A beefy security guard with no neck came out and stopped her. “You can’t park here lady.”

She got out and showed him her pass and the paperwork for the cake. “I’m Cilla from Queen of Tarts bakery. I’m delivering a cake.”

While he checked her pass and the papers she handed him, Sid was at the back of the van carefully loading the different parts of the cake on one of the rolling carts. “Sorry ma’am. Right this way.” She loaded up the biggest part of the cake on a second cart and they followed the huge man into the building.

She was just putting the finishing touches on when an arm snaked around her middle and a hard chest was pressed up against her back. She tipped her head back and smiled, “hi there.”

Jon pressed his lips against her temple, “hello to you too.” He looked over her head at what she had created. “Damn Sweets, this is amazing.”

She pushed him back, “thanks, but I’m not quite finished. Just give me another minute.”

He moved to let her do her thing. By the time she had finished a small crowd had gathered and camera flashes were going off all around her.

The cake took up almost the entire six foot banquet table. At one end was a replica of Madison Square Garden complete with “Bon Jovi” and the two dates on the marquee. Looking down from the top, you could see the crowd waiting for the show to start and the band on stage.

The “road” that ran halfway down the length of the table had a convertible with a girl at the wheel trying to decide which of the several “exits” to take. Toronto’s Air Canada Centre was one with the five dates depicted on its marquee. There was the Prudential Center with its ten dates, Chicago’s United Center with its three dates and, of course, there was Central Park.

There was also the airport complete with the jovi jet and a sign leading to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the multitude of stops in Europe.

Jon pulled Cilla aside while the others were oohing and aahing over the cake. “That really is incredible Sweets. More than I ever expected.” He handed her an envelope. “I’m not sure now that what’s in this envelope even comes close to being enough.”

She started to push the envelope back at him, “no Jon. I don’t want… .” They had never discussed compensation for the cake, and she really didn’t want his money.

He cut her off. “Don’t fight me on this baby, please. You worked so hard. You deserve every penny of that” he pointed at the envelope “and if you don’t take it, I’ll give it to Sid. I’m sure he’d deposit it into your business account for you.”

She stared at him for a minute and then sighed. He was right. Sid would do it for her. Folding the envelope she stuck it in her pocket. “Thank you.”

“No” he took her hands, “thank you. You really did a great job.” He had just touched his lips to hers when someone called out their names.

“Jon.”

“Cilla.”

They both turned to look and a flash went off. David grinned at them, “thanks. Hey what flavor is this monster Cil?”

She smiled at his use of her nick name. He really did like her. “That all depends on where you cut into it.” She walked over and pointed to different sections. “There is dark chocolate with raspberry cream filling. Lemon poppy seed with blueberry cream filling or you could end up with French vanilla sponge cake that has a chocolate buttercream filling.”

David looked around the table, on her cart, under the cardboard covers. “Where’s the knife? I’m ready for a piece right now.”

Jon shooed everyone away from the table. “The cake is for later, after the show.” He glanced at his watch. “Speaking of which, let’s go guys. We need to get ready. We hit the stage in an hour.”

Before leaving the room Jon turned Cilla over to Sid. “You two stay here and I’ll send someone to take you to your seats.” He kissed Cilla hungrily, “I’ll see you after.”

Sinking into a chair Cilla closed her eyes and ran her fingers across her lips. “Damn can that man kiss.”

Sid smirked, “I know.”

She laughed and looked over at him, “should I be worried?”

Sid shook his head, “sadly no. He’s straight as an arrow and stupid in love with you.” He paused, “besides, my boyfriend is pretty good with his mouth too.”

Cilla’s hands flew up and covered her ears, “stop! Stop right there, I don’t want to hear any more! Way too much sharing!”

While they were laughing Jacquie, Jon’s assistant, came in. “You guys all set? Jon asked me to take you to your seats.”

The pair nodded and, after a stop at the ladies’ room for Cilla, were led out to the front row.