Page 44 of Seduced in Ink
Madison nodded, then went to wash her hands before taking the ring off and handing it to Brynn. Brynn oohed and aahed over the diamond and then smiled.
“Aaron has magnificent taste. And it’s totally you. I just wish you could wear it on your hand more.”
Madison looked down at her bare ring finger and wiggled it a bit. “Well, we don’t want to lose it in a cupcake.”
“Unless you’re trying to set up a proposal. And then you don’t put it in the batter, you set it on top of the frosting, so she doesn’t swallow it and die.”
“That’s a morbid way to get engaged,” Madison said with a laugh, taking back the ring when Brynn handed it over.
“Put it on and come up front. Some of your friends are here to see you.”
Madison slid the ring onto her finger, wondering why it felt like it belonged there, and yet shouldn’t be there all the same.
“My friends?”
“The Montgomerys, or the ones that are connected to the Montgomerys anyway. Another friend of theirs that I don’t know yet is here, too. But I will meet them. Come on out. I’ll work back here. You go do your magic up front.”
Madison frowned and then took off her apron, making sure she didn’t have flour or frosting anywhere.
Happy with her quick scan, she headed to the front and grinned at those seated at the table in the corner. Arden, Holland, Bristol, and another woman that Madison didn’t recognize sat with smiles on their faces.
“Can you take a break?” Arden asked. Madison nodded.
“Yes, let me just grab something. Do you want anything?”
“Brynn took care of us. Come on. We’ve got a whole bunch of cupcakes.”
That made Madison laugh, and she grabbed herself some water with cucumber then made her way to the table.
“Water and cucumber?” Bristol asked with a sigh. “I thought you would go for something sweet with lots of whipped cream.”
“I might’ve eaten a lot of frosting in the back before I came out here,” Madison said honestly, and the girls laughed.
“Isn’t that against code?” Holland teased, her eyes bright.
“I had a special frosting bowl in the break room, thank you very much. But please, yell that louder,” she said with a laugh.
“I’m sorry, this is Ethan’s friend Julia,” Holland said. The other woman smiled and waved a bit. “Hi. I actually work with Ethan. And I’m also dating Marcus’s friend, Ronin. If the already complicated situation wasn’t enough.”
Madison did the complicated math and snorted. “I’ve met Ronin, and I know Ethan and Marcus, so you’re technically a Montgomery,” Madison said quickly and froze as the girls gave her a look.
“I mean, you’ve been indoctrinated into the web or the cult or whatever. Oh! Clan’s a good word,” she said quickly, rambling.
“Yes, once you’re friends with the family, apparently, you’re one of them. I hear you’re engaged to Aaron. Lovely ring. I guess you’re really a Montgomery now, huh?”
Guilt swamped Madison, and she did her best not to look at the others. She knew they were aware that it was all fake, but Julia didn’t. Madison hated lying, but the more people who knew it wasn’t real, the harder it would be for her mother to leave it alone.
So, Madison just smiled. She had no idea what to say.
“Okay, tell me about these cupcakes,” Arden said, licking her lips. “I already heard about the double chocolate with strawberry cream cheese frosting, but what else is there?”
“We have a lemon chiffon, a key lime, a birthday cake that has a bit of a champagne twist, and red velvet. Oh, and the carrot cake,” Madison said, grateful she could change the subject quickly.
Thankfully, Julia didn’t look as if anything were awkward.
“We just wanted to say hi and see how you were doing after your date,” Bristol said, practically dancing in her seat.
“Really?” Madison asked. “You’re going to be that blatant?”