Tart Read Online Free PDF Page B

sat.
    “Yes.” Gillian sent her son a look and he blushed.
    Jules winked at him. “I brought extra just for you.”
    He grinned, looking very much like his father.
    They talked about the renovations. Adrian’s recording studio was finished, which was a lucky thing as he’d started working on his next record with some hot-stuff producer. The rest of the house was continuing apace and should be done by the beginning of June.
    The food was good, the company even better. She was so glad Gillian and Adrian were settling out on Bainbridge instead of in Seattle. Jules never would have said it out loud, but it would have been really hard to not see Gillian as often as she did. And Miles, who she loved as fiercely as she did his mother.
    Jules hated the ferry. Hated all boats for that matter, big or small. Which was sort of a problem when you lived on an island and all. Thankfully the trip was just over half an hour and there was a bridge too if she had to go that way. Bainbridge had just about everything and everyone she needed anyway.
    Finally, after they’d finished dinner, Adrian and Miles cleared away the dishes and brought new ones out along with some freshly brewed tea.
    “All right.” Jules placed five boxes on the table.
    “Wow! That’s all cake? Score.” Miles sent a look to his dad, who also grinned.
    “I told you I brought extra for you.”
    “Which is your favorite?” Gillian sipped her tea as Jules placed the slices out on little plates on the table so everyone could see and take a taste.
    “I’m not telling. Given what I know about you and what you like and the things Adrian told me, I’ve come up with several different ideas. But I don’t want to influence you in any way.”
    She pointed. “This is spice cake with cream cheese frosting. That piece there has pumpkin cream between the layers. That one has dark chocolate and that last one is cinnamon cream.”
    Adrian hummed his satisfaction as he tried the different pieces. “This is insane. I think I like the cinnamon one, but the pumpkin is also delicious.”
    “The pumpkin is my favorite. What are those?” Gillian looked to the next plate.
    Jules noted the pumpkin vote and then placed the next set of plates in front of them.
    “Next up are lemon, lime and tangerine. The frostings and fillings are easily substituted if you like one more than the other.”
    “The lemon is fantastic.” Gillian looked to Adrian. “I think it could be good for the reception the label is throwing. Don’t you think?”
    “Is this lemon curd?” Adrian forked another bite up.
    “Yes. It’s a new recipe. That’s only my second batch, but I think it’s really good. If I do say so myself.”
    Gillian moaned her delight. “You’d better say so yourself! I never tire of bragging on your skills, but you have to help me, Juliet Lamprey. Also, would you happen to have any extra?”
    “There’s a jar of it in the bag on the counter.”
    Gillian laughed. “You know me so well.”
    Adrian gave Miles a look for sneaking some cake from Adrian’s plate. His son seemed to think that was hilarious. “I think your mother would call that being cheeky, Miles, my son.”
    “You’re the parent, you’re supposed to sacrifice for your children.”
    “Ha. You need a kidney, you can have one. But stay away from my cake, boy.” Adrian winked at Jules. “I think Gillian is right. The lemon for the label reception would be perfect.”
    Adrian had come to her a month before and asked if she’d be willing to also do the cake for some local event his record label wanted to give them. Mary was doing the appetizers as well.
    “That’s doable. I can make one with the raspberry too if you like. For some variety.”
    “Whatever you say. I’m all for it.”
    She noted that before sliding the next round of plates to them. “And this is chocolate. Seven-layer chocolate with sea salt and caramel.” She pointed to her favorite but then moved on. She didn’t want them to know and