The Baker

Chapter 59

The party was in full swing and popping once everyone got there. With the help of Tim, Ben had gotten the steaks perfectly cooked, along with the potatoes. While they worried about that, Cassie was talking with Amanda and the girls about the wedding and showing off her ring. Wanda would pop into the conversation every once in a while to suggest some things here or there about the plating, tablecloths, all the things Cassie could care less about.

About an hour in, Ben called everyone to get their food. Of course, he dished the birthday girl's plate first and let everyone else get their own. "Where do you think mom and Bob are?" Cassie asked as they both walked back into the living room. Ben looked like he suddenly realized they still weren't back. "Oh," he said. "I'm not sure. Maybe they got caught up in traffic? It is Saturday, after all."

They never showed up. All throughout the party and they never came home. It was upsetting to think how her own mother won't be there for her daughter's birthday because she wanted to spend the night with her boyfriend instead. Julie would never be like this if Liam were still around. She's completely changed and Cassie hated it.

Despite those thoughts, the party was still fun. She hasn't had much of a chance to be acquainted with Tom, but by the end of the night, they were best friends and planning on having lunch together while Ben was out filming. Her and Amanda decided to go out wedding dress shopping sometime within the next few weeks, while trying to put a bridal party together. Clearly, Amanda was in the party already.

Mark had offered to help Wanda with the decorating, seeing as Cassie didn't exactly want to do it, and offered to make some calls to get her a great deal on flowers and such. Seeing as her bakery was going to do the catering, she didn't need to worry about that.

James was next to offer up his assistance with the music. He said he knew some people that would happily play for them and, if they didn't want a band, he knew a few good DJ's as well. He even offered to play a few songs himself.

This party felt more like a wedding planning party, but that was fine with her. She didn't want the attention on her birthday, she'd much rather it be on the wedding. Ben didn't feel the same, though. When he caught Wanda spewing off ideas to Martin and Amanda, he got on her about it and kept saying how it was "Cassie's day" and that this was "not the time and place to talk about the wedding". Damn that man.

It was almost ten o'clock when Ben came out of the kitchen with a cake, lit by only a few candles, singing happy birthday. Everyone joined in and Cassie blushed in embarrassment. The attention was not something she was a fan of. Ben set down the cake on the table in front of her and finished singing the song with everyone else. "Make a wish, love," he told her. Cassie brought Kelly over next to her and they both blew out her candles while everyone cheered.

"Now, I did make this cake from scratch, so I apologize if anyone gets food poisoning," Ben announced. He plated Cassie's and Kelly's, then whoever wanted a piece. The cake was actually very good and Cassie was sure to let him know. "It's not," Ben told her. "It is," she retorted. "Seriously, you should help me around the bakery when you're around."

That was certainly a boost to his ego, not that there would be anymore room for it.

When it started to get to midnight, people started to leave. First it was Tom, then Martin and Amanda, then James, and finally Mark. Wanda and Tim insisted they stay to help clean, but Ben and Cassie urged them to go home. After a short battle with them, they eventually left. Kelly had passed out on the couch a while ago, so Ben took the liberty of carrying her to bed while Cassie focused on the dishes.

"Leave those," Ben said in her ear as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She eased back in his arms and said, "You know I hate waking up to a dirty kitchen." He shrugged and told her, "You won't. I'll get up early and do them. But for now...I have something for you. Come on." He turned her to face him, then took her hand and led her into the living room.