Happy Ever After

Chapter 13

The reception was less than three hours away and Alana was run off her feet. She'd spent the morning finishing the crème anglais filling for the dragon fruit tarts and then preparing the bite size tart shells before glazing and storing them in the walk-in. The tarts worked well within the theme that she and Jo had selected of old Hollywood Exotic, which took inspiration from the kaleidoscope of cultures found in Hollywood.

She ignored the overhead lights, the cameras and cables as she moved quickly down the line. Savory scents mingled with sweet ones as each team worked to finish their assigned stations. She tuned out the pandemonium around her and focused on the task at hand. She was working solo as Jo's broken arm was a hindrance at this stage of the game. Instead, her friend would manage the main reception.

Humming Mozart, Alana checked the cake she'd masked earlier. Cutting strips of the sponge sheet she'd prepared yesterday and hazelnut frosting, she had built a high-rise structure, layer by layer, around an edible mold. Satisfied with height, she rolled out the fondant icing until it was big enough and then gently lifted it to cover the structure. Making the necessary adjustments, she cut off excess icing and wrapped it tightly in plastic to use for the decoration later. She then cut into squares dark chocolate gum paste and glued them to the main structure to serve as windows. It was a replica of the Empire State Building, a nod to her hometown but also to the Hollywood film industry, and she knew just what would complete the iconic structure.

She ignored the camera operator hovering in the background, but she was aware that he had been filming the entire process. Maybe she could get an unedited copy to show Matt later. He'd get a kick out of this. Working quickly, she shaped the paste and painted the defining features with a brush before perching it atop the tower's antenna. It was as good a likeness as she could manage with icing. Stepping back, she was pleased to note that she'd caught the Art Deco quality of the structure as well as the dramatic role it had played in the 1930s film.

"Would you get a load of that?" One of the lighting guys whistled in appreciation and she laughed. Jo was going to get a kick out of this.

Alana stretched her arms and rolled he neck to get rid of the kinks. She let the camera operator take his shots and stayed out of the way, guzzling water from her bottle. She had one last task to finish and then she was done. She looked around the kitchen and realized everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at the Empire State Building. The applause started slowly behind her and she turned to find Jo standing there leading the charge. Her friend winked at the private joke and then rushed into hug Alana. Giddy with joy they collapsed on the floor and started laughing like loons.

"You bitch," said Jo affectionately, nudging Alana when she just sat there.

"Welcome to New York, babe!"

-----

The reception was in full swing when Matt walked into the hall. He saw tuxedos and suits, floor length gowns and short cocktail dresses. It was an eclectic crowd of starlets, movie makers and businessmen. In normal times this wasn't his scene. Neither was LA, but tonight he was here for Alana. After talking to her last night he'd been fired up to be by her side.

He'd called Sandra at home and asked her to reschedule all his appointments, inform the event organizers of the change in plans and have the jet on standby. Due to delays at the airport his flight had touched down at LA two hours later than planned. He'd rushed through the terminal, checked into his hotel long enough to shower and change into his tux before having the car service take him to the reception.

As if following a beacon, he saw her across the room standing next to a petite blond. That must be Jo. Alana laughed at something the blonde said and Matt knew the bond between the women was strong. He took a step closer to Alana when someone called him.