Broken kingdom

Chapter 21 Bianca

“We barely see each other,” Stone states. “I really think you should just move in before the semester ends.” 

One look at his mother, who’s sitting across the table from us, tells me she finds the idea of me moving in before the wedding about as pleasant as a root canal. 

Feeling’s mutual, lady. 

Nonetheless, Stone has a point. We’ve both been so busy this semester we hardly have time for one another. 

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying my independence. It’s nice being able to come and go as I please and not be accountable to anyone when it comes to my whereabouts. 

Especially his mother, who always finds a way to make rude comments under her breath about me. 

On one hand, I understand why she harbors so much ill will. Stone and Tommy no longer talk since Stone beat him up and kicked him out last year, and to say there’s a rift between her sons would be putting it mildly. 

However, it’s not my fault her firstborn is a giant douche canoe who deserves to have a venomous snake bite his testicles off. 

“The semester ends in May,” I remind Stone. “I’ll be moving in before you know it.” 

Pouting, he slings his arm around my shoulders. “Fine, but at least think about it, okay?” 

Leaning over, I kiss his cheek. “I’ll think about it.” 

I start to pull away, but he kisses my lips. 

“I love you,” he whispers between soft kisses that have my heart fluttering like the wings of a hummingbird. 

I’m about to tell him the same, but his mother clears her throat. Loudly. 

A moment later, a jubilant woman carrying a large tray of various cake samples swoops in. “Gosh, I just love seeing couples in love.” She places the tray down in front of us. “Whatever you two decide on, let us know and we’ll get it all taken care of.” 

I’ve known what kind of cake I’ve wanted ever since Sawyer stopped by my dorm room with little drops of heaven in cupcake form. 

The moment I took a bite of the moist, holy grail of chocolate that is red velvet—my heart was sold. 

Stone’s mom, however, isn’t a fan. Therefore, she insisted we try some samples and then decide. 

“This one,” she says, pointing to the cake in front of her. 

It’s strange how she has her heart set already because it doesn’t even look like she’s tried any of it. 

The woman smiles. “That’s our lemon and raspberry cake.” 

Pushing aside the carrot cake he was devouring; Stone takes a bite of the lemon and raspberry one and gives his mom a hum of approval. 

After scooping some more on his fork, he brings it to my mouth. “Try it, Bourne. It’s not bad.” 

I reluctantly take a bite. 

He’s right…it’s not bad. 

But it’s also not what I want. 

Needing to get rid of the weird aftertaste it left on my tongue, I stick my fork into the red velvet cake and eagerly shovel it into my mouth. 

So fucking good. 

“This one is my favorite,” I affirm, going back for more. “It’s perfect.” And because I can’t resist, I go for a third bite. “What kind of frosting is this? It’s amazing.” 

Realizing I’m being rude, I offer Stone the rest so he can try it. “Damn. This is good.”

I fight the urge to tell him I told him so. 

The woman laughs. “That would be our cream cheese frosting.” She starts writing something down on a notepad. “We get a lot of compliments on our red velvet cake. It’s an excellent choice.” 

Stone rubs his nose against mine and then kisses the tip of it. “It’s settled then. We’ll go with the—” 

“Lemon raspberry,” Stone’s mom interjects. 

Oh, no she didn’t. 

I fight the urge to throttle her. “I’m sorry. What?” 

She points to the lemon raspberry cake. “We’re going with this one. It’s simple but classy.” 

It’s boring. 

 Not to mention, the last time I checked it wasn’t her wedding and unlike my father, she wasn’t shelling out a dime for the ceremony or reception. 

Clearly uncomfortable, the cake lady looks between us. “I can come back—”

“No need,” Stone’s mom assures her. “We’ve made our decision.” 

“No, we haven’t,” I grit through my teeth. 

Stone looks like a deer caught in headlights. “Maybe we can try a few mor—”

“No,” his mother insists. “This is the one.” Looking at her son, she sulks. “It was your grandmother’s favorite. She would have wanted you to have this cake.” 

Her manipulation game is hella strong, I’ll give her that. 

The cake lady—who looks even more uncomfortable now—taps her pen against the pad nervously. “Should I put you down for the lemon raspberry then?” 

“No,” I say at the same time his mother hisses, “Yes.” 

We both turn to Stone who looks like he’s contemplating the best way to drill a hole through the floor so he can escape. 

“Let’s let Stone decide,” his mother says. 

I cross my arms. “Fine.” 

Stone takes a bite of the red velvet cake. “This one is delicious.” 

I’m about to gloat, but he takes a bite of the lemon raspberry again. “But I like this one better.” 

Of course, he does. Mama’s boy. 

I start to protest, but he gives my hand a gentle squeeze under the table. “Come on, Bourne.” His lips find my temple. “Just let her have this.” 

I try to ignore the look of sheer satisfaction on his mom’s face when I mutter, “Fine.”