Emma: Lights! Camera! Cupcakes! Read Free

later my mom hopped in and said, “Are we taking Alexis?”
    I rolled my eyes and said, “You mean Matt’s girlfriend, Alexis?”
    My mom laughed. “She does like Matt, doesn’tshe? It’s cute. Puppy love! So sweet.”
    â€œPuppy puke!” I said, crossing my arms tightly.
    â€œOh, Emma, don’t be a bad sport. It’s very safe to have a crush on your best friend’s brother. I had one on my friend Sandy’s brother when I was a girl.”
    â€œWhat did Sandy think about that?”
    â€œShe didn’t mind. I don’t think.”
    â€œAha! But you don’t know !”
    â€œWell . . . we lost touch.”
    â€œSee?”
    Just then Alexis got into the car, and my mom gave me a knowing smile. I was too annoyed to even turn around.
    â€œAll set?” my mom said to Alexis.
    â€œYup! Thanks!” said Alexis, closing the door and buckling up.
    â€œOh! I forgot the cupcakes!” I said, smacking my forehead. I began unbuckling my seat belt as I reached for my door handle.
    â€œGot ’em,” said Alexis. She patted the cupcake carrier, and it made a hollow thunking sound in the back.
    â€œOh. Thanks,” I said. I guess Alexis isn’t all bad. I mean, she has been my best friend for my whole life. I turned around to smile at her, and she smiledback. She had no idea I was annoyed at her, and, honestly, why should I be? It wasn’t her fault she liked my brother. And it wasn’t her fault he liked her back. Actually, maybe it would be worse if he didn’t like her back. I sighed and listened to my mom and Alexis discuss the big premiere the whole way to the mall. It took all my self control to not yell, “And I’m going to see Romaine in a few minutes!”

    When I got to the usually serene The Special Day, it was chaos. Controlled chaos. And that only means one thing.
    â€œEmma! Hiiiiii!” said Patricia, Mona’s assistant, as she flew past me with an armload of white cut flowers.
    â€œDaaarling!” said Mona as she sailed across the room to fluff the sofa cushions.
    I turned to one of the salesgirls hurrying past and said, “Big customer here yet?”
    She winked at me and shook her head. “Not yet,” she said.
    I smiled in excitement. “Mona, I’ll go set up the cupcakes, then let me know what I can do to help,” I called. I went into the back where they have a tiny kitchen and began to plate the cupcakes on one ofMona’s beautiful three-tiered china display platters.
    Patricia came in to fill a vase with more water.
    â€œShe’s coming in today, right?” I whispered.
    She nodded and smiled. “The second to last fitting, actually!”
    â€œWait, so then it’s just the final fitting, which is always the day before the wedding, right?”
    â€œYup!” said Patricia with a wink.
    â€œAnd that would be when . . .?”
    â€œCan’t tell!” she sang, and then she flitted out of the room.
    â€œPatricia!” I complained as she skipped away, and I could hear her laughter floating back through the hall. I knew I’d find out sooner or later, though. I always do.
    Sure enough, Romaine arrived with her mom, her sister, and three bridesmaids, one of whom was the famous singer and piano player (and fashion model), Samantha Holmes, right before the store opened! I was peeking out from a dressing room, and I saw them all walk in. I wasn’t sure if they’d need me in there or just as a runner (that’s someone who runs and gets things, like a different size or more pins), so I stayed put until further instructions. But soon I heard Mona calling me, and I left my little cocoon and walked slowly to the largest ofthe private dressing rooms Mona uses for brides. I had butterflies in my stomach, and now I wasn’t so confident Romaine would remember me. I mean, she must meet thousands of people a year!
    I opened the