#5 Icing on the Cake Read Free

straight, getting ready to feed the hundreds of guests coming to Slade’s new artist’s release party. Shelby and Ansli couldn’t help me. Shelby was helping the artist’s dress. She was the stylist for the day. Ansli was setting up to photograph the important players who were coming to the event, as well as get pictures backstage.
    Thankfully, my mom and Sloan were there for me. I think I was getting on their nerves though. I was obsessing about everything.
    â€œBe careful. The box is fragile. We’ve got to set them down in the trunk just right because ifthey tilt over, the cupcakes are ruined.”
    â€œOhhh, Yuri, they look so delicious. I just want to taste one,” my mom said. “Red velvet, caramel crunch, cheesecake, key lime, and vanilla … you go girl.”
    â€œMom, don’t even think about touching any of them,” Sloan said, seeing our mom truly unable to resist. “Or your daughter is going to lose her mind.”
    Shelby was kind enough to have her boyfriend create me a logo. Yuri’s YumYums looked so cute and delicate. There were two stands that displayed the logo, and I had a professional-looking sign that went in the front of my table.
    When we arrived at the back of the location, there was another truck that was unloading all types of desserts. I looked at Sloan, and she looked back at me. She seemed confused. This cute blonde-headed dude was taking in many desserts.
    â€œIf she was going to get somebody else to do this, she just should have told Yuri,” Sloan said to my mom, saying everything I was feeling inside.
    In a calming voice, my mom said, “Well, we don’t know. Maybe they have more people, maybe she wanted more than just cupcakes. Clearly they’ve got an array of desserts over there. As I’ve taught you girls, it’s usually not a perfect world.”
    When my mom saw the sign of the truck she said, “Oh, that’s the lady who has a shop not too far from the house. Treats by Ms. Pinky.”
    â€œYeah, but mom I thought I was the one providing refreshments,” I said, barely hiding my disappointment.
    â€œWell, you are providing refreshments, Yuri. Don’t get caught up in the fact that you’re not doing this solo.”
    â€œWait ‘til I find Slade,” Sloan said in an upset tone.
    â€œCome on, let’s hurry up and get set up. The event starts in less than an hour.”
    When I saw all of the tables and set ups and booth coverings they were pulling out for Ms. Pinky, I didn’t want to go in. Sloan saw me sitting in the car extremely intimidated.
    As she approached my mom rolled down the window and Sloan said, “Mom, can you go and find out where her table is going to be set up.”
    â€œOh yeah sure,” my mom said, scurrying away.
    â€œYou can do this,” Sloan tried to encourage.
    â€œYeah, but look at all that stuff that lady has. I’m going to look like a kindergartner compared to a professor. Nobody is going to want my food. Look what they’re pulling out now: little, individual miniature glasses with pudding and stuff inside.”
    Sloan put her arm around me to comfort me and to tell me I could do it. It was all going in one ear and out the other. The more and more I thought I could, the more stuff Ms. Pinky and her crew were taking out of the truck. I had a few different flavors of cupcakes, whoop dee do. She had cookies, slices of cake, pudding, mousse, pie, ice cream, and, of course, cupcakes too.
    â€œMom said I need to come and get you guys and show you where your table is,” Slade opened the car door and said.
    Sloan grabbed her collar. “How could you do Yuri like this?”
    Slade yanked back. “Do her like what?”
    â€œNot tell her that somebody else is going to be serving,” Sloan said, folding her arms.
    Slade rolled her eyes. “Because it’s my show, and I didn’t think it was any of her business. She