living covenant 03 - eternal covenant Read Online Free PDF Page A

chocolate?”
    “I think pure white is classier,” Helen offered.
    No way. “I want chocolate,” I interjected. “If I have to go through this farce of a selection process, then I want chocolate cake.”
    “But, Zoe, white cake is more visually appealing,” Helen supplied.
    “So what? We’re not putting it up on the wall as a decoration,” I pointed out. “I want chocolate cake.”
    Helen expectantly turned to Aric. “Son, what do you think?”
    “Oh, don’t even think of putting me in the middle of this,” Aric said. “If Zoe wants chocolate cake, she gets chocolate cake. It’s her wedding, even though you two seem to have forgotten that.”
    “But … .”
    Aric shook his head and cut off his mother off. “Chocolate cake.”
    “Fine,” Helen said, crossing her arms over her chest.
    “What about the menu?” Pemberley asked.
    “We have that covered,” I answered. “We hired that Middle Eastern restaurant to cater with our favorite stuff.”
    “Middle Eastern restaurant?” Mom cocked a challenging eyebrow. “You’re serving Middle Eastern food?”
    “What’s wrong with that?”
    “Not everyone likes Middle Eastern food,” Mom pointed out. “What if you have vegetarians in attendance?”
    “We have several vegetarian entrees on the menu,” I replied. “What else have you got?”
    “People don’t go to weddings to eat kebabs, Zoe,” Helen said, choosing her words carefully. “They expect roast beef … and chicken … and potatoes. I think we should stick with the classics.”
    I considered arguing, but the notion of derailing the afternoon with a screamfest debating the merits of beef and baba ghanoush seemed a terrific waste of time. “You know what? You pick the menu. I’ll eat anything.”
    “I heard that,” Aric said.
    “That doesn’t seem fair,” Mom said. “I think you should have a tasting. Do they have time for a tasting, Pemberley?”
    “I can fit one in tomorrow, but we must be quick about it,” Pemberley replied. “I’ll pick ten entrees for samplers. We need everyone here at noon tomorrow.” He had his phone out so he could mark it on his electronic calendar. Mom and Helen followed suit.
    “Can Aric and I be done now?” I asked, using my best “let me leave or you’ll regret it” voice. “We trust you to pick out table linens … and silverware … and dishes. You know better than us.”
    It was a calculated risk. Aric saw what I was doing and immediately jumped in to help. “I think that’s a fine idea,” he said. “We obviously have no idea what we’re doing.”
    “I could’ve told you that,” Helen muttered. If she was trying to say it under her breath so no one could hear, she failed miserably.
    “Wait ... are you really saying that the bride and groom aren’t going to make any of the decisions?” Pemberley looked disappointed.
    “That’s what we’re saying,” Aric said, pushing himself to his feet and reaching for my hand. “My blushing bride and I need to … um … prepare for the arrival of a few guests. I’m sure you can muddle through without us.”
    “What guests?” Helen asked, narrowing her eyes.
    “Kelsey and Paris are arriving tomorrow,” I said. I didn’t have to make up a story for a change. It was nice. “We have to get their rooms ready.”
    “Are those the bridesmaids?” Pemberley asked.
    Helen nodded.
    “I’ll need them at the tasting tomorrow, too,” Pemberley said. “We will pick out dresses today, but they’re going to need to be immediately fitted for them tomorrow if they’re to be done in time.”
    I could already picture Paris and Kelsey’s faces when they heard that joyous tidbit. “They’ll be thrilled.”
    “Well, if you two have things to do, we’ll do all the heavy lifting here,” Pemberley said, lobbing a wink in Aric’s direction. “Although I think you do a lot of heavy lifting, don’t you?”
    Aric jerked me in front of him and wrapped his arm around my waist. “We have to