to her grandmother, who was sitting at the head of the table, while Aunt Daisy and Uncle Devon, her cousins and Belinda’s fiancé, Malik, sat flanking each other. Shari nodded at her father and her sister Monica before sliding into an open chair.
“So happy you could join us,” Grandma Lillian said reproachfully.
Shari shrugged. “Andre was a handful this morning.”
“When isn’t Andre a handful?” Carter said fondly from across the table.
Shari knew Carter adored his little cousin and the feeling was mutual. Andre looked up to his “uncle” Carter. She supposed Andre had a special place in his heart because he was a little bit mischievous and probably reminded Carter of himself.
Shari’s sister Monica laughed. “This is true.” Watching Andre was not an easy task, Shari knew, and because Monica was so short at five foot three, and Andre was really tall for his age, Monica found him to be a handful.
“Well, as you know, the You Take the Cake competition is almost upon us,” Lillian said. “I’d like to know what recipes and plans you’ve come up with to ensure Lillian’s the win.”
Everyone started talking all at once, eager to impress Grandma Lillian with their recipes. “One at a time, please,” she admonished, holding up her hand.
As usual, Drake was the first to speak. Adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, he explained, “Carter, Malik and I have come up with a number of great recipes.”
Her cousin Drake had a medium build that was always dressed in trendy clothes. Today he wore a military jacket, jeans, an oxford shirt and Timberland boots. He looked like perfection. And he always thought he was right.
Belinda spoke next. “And I’ve been collaborating with Malik here—” she turned to give her fiancé a wink “—on a couple of wedding cake designs.”
Grandma Lillian turned to Shari. “Shari, how about you?”
All eyes in the room turned to Shari and she swallowed hard.
“I have some ideas, too,” she offered, “using unconventional ingredients in the cakes. You know, the show is known for its mystery ingredients.”
“That sounds great, dear,” Grandma Lillian said. “Sounds like everyone’s come to the table with something.”
“I think we should do a dry run of the recipes,” her father added. “We should start today.”
His booming baritone voice, not to mention the touch of gray at his temples, lent him an air of dominance. Everyone quickly nodded their assent to his suggestion.
“Good. If there’s nothing else...” Grandma Lillian began, but Carter interrupted her.
“Well, actually there is,” Carter said.
“Oh, please, Carter,” Grandma Lillian said. “Please tell me you haven’t broken that young girl’s heart.”
Carter had been dating socialite Lorraine Hawthorne-Hayes for about five weeks. They’d even made the paper a couple of times. Lorraine was not Carter’s typical woman. Yes, she was beautiful, but she dressed in classic fashions unlike the flashier women he usually dated. Lorraine was the daughter of Arnold and Abigail Hawthorne-Hayes of Hawthorne-Hayes Jewelers. The Hawthorne-Hayes family was Chicago royalty and easily outranked the Draysons. Everyone in the family was waiting for Carter to say he’d tired of Lorraine and moved on to the next woman.
Shari hoped not. She’d warned Carter about breaking Lorraine’s heart.
“Actually quite the opposite,” Carter responded, smiling from ear to ear. “Lorraine and I are engaged.”
“Get out!” Devon jumped up out of his chair and faced his son. “You! Engaged?”
“That’s right, Dad.” Carter laughed. “I’m not going to be a perennial bachelor like you.”
“Congratulations, Carter.” Shari leaned over and gave him a playful punch while Malik and Drake reached across the table and shook his hand affectionately.
“That’s wonderful news,” Grandma Lillian replied. “Two grandchildren engaged this year!” She glanced at Belinda and Carter, and then at Shari. “I hope everyone will follow your example.”
Shari lowered her head. She knew that comment was directed at her. Her family had been disappointed when she’d had Andre out of wedlock. She’d tarnished the Drayson family name, but Shari didn’t care. She would do it again a thousand times over. She loved Andre and wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.
“Don’t worry, kid,” Carter whispered in Shari’s ear. “She’s only using you as a whipping boy because I’m finally out of the doghouse. Keep your head up.”
“Oh, I don’t regret having my son for a second,” Shari replied. It was the one decision she’d been clear on from the moment she’d discovered she was pregnant.
Carter motioned with his hands for everyone to quiet down. “I’m not finished yet. I have other news.”
“As if your engagement isn’t news enough,” his best friend, Malik, replied laughing.
Carter rolled his eyes. “You all know that I was approached by a New York restaurateur who offered me the job of executive baker for his operation, but have decided to stay.”
“No, I didn’t know. Who’s this restaurateur who tried to steal you away from us?” Shari asked. Despite his playboy ways, Shari knew that Andre was attached to his “uncle” Carter and she was glad he wasn’t leaving Chicago.
Carter turned to Shari. “Does the name Grant Robinson ring a bell?”
All color rushed out of Shari’s face at hearing Grant’s name again after all this time, and her eyes widened in alarm. “Uh, I think I remember him,” she finally managed to eke out. “Did he say anything about me?”
“He didn’t say much,” Carter replied. “He only mentioned that you two went to college together and that he couldn’t wait to catch up on old times.”
Like that was even possible, Shari thought. Clearly what she and Grant had shared together had meant nothing to him. How could he think of her so casually as if they’d never slept together?
Carter continued, interrupting her thoughts. “Grant indicated that even if I chose to turn the job down, there might be an opportunity with Lillian’s to supply the desserts to his restaurant chain. He’s on his way here now.”
Grant was coming to Lillian’s? Shari was frozen speechless. She hadn’t seen the man since she’d graduated from Ledgeman University, and he’d broken her heart by marrying her former best friend and college roommate, Dina English.
“Sounds promising,” her father said. “I’d like to meet him.”
Her father, Dwight, had taken over the business aspects of the Drayson Corporation while her uncle Devon focused on the real-estate end of the family business. The Drayson family had leveraged their income from the family business and invested wisely in Chicago real estate. Their real-estate interests had
