On the way back to the Belle View exhibit, Mia passed Marjan’s Cakes and Desserts, a bakery she’d used in the past to glowing reviewers from customers. She and Marjan, a lovely émigré from London, exchanged greetings. “Anything new and exciting in the wedding cake world?” Mia asked.
“We’re doing a lot of displays instead of cakes lately,” Marjan said. “You know, like tiers of different-flavored macarons. For cakes with multiple layers, a lot of couples want a different flavor with each layer. And since carrot cake feels dated, I’ve created a ginger spice alternative. Try it.” The baker pointed to small, frosted squares in paper cups.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Mia picked up a sample and took a bite. “OMG, Marjan, this is fabulous. So much better than boring old carrot cake.” She polished off the sample and took another. “I love how the frosting is a blend of spices. Yum.” She spoke with her mouth full as she inhaled a second sample. “I’d hire you for my own wedding, but it looks like it’ll take some kind of divine intervention for Shane to put a ring on it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Mia reached for a third sample. “But if you don’t mind leaving some samples for potentially paying customers…”
Mia retracted her hand. “Right. Got it.”
She continued her wander back to the Belle View display, casting a disconsolate glance at the bridal gowns on parade as part of a runway show. An ear-splitting screech of joy distracted her. She craned her neck to see who released it. A tall blonde she pegged to be around twenty-five jumped up and down as she pointed to a particularly elaborate sequined, beaded, and rhinestoned bridal gown. She let out another screech. “Ahh! That’s it! That’s the gown I told you about, baby! The one I wanna get married in! It’s so bee-you-tee-ful! I’m dying!”
The “baby” in question, a man about the same height as the bride-to-be, turned to see the dress. He locked eyes with Mia. A wave of nausea coursed through her. For a moment, she thought she’d pass out.
The Miami police presumed her husband was lost at sea. Mia took great comfort from knowing her cheating spouse literally slept with the fishes. But in an instant, what she’d long feared had come true.
Adam Grosso didn’t sleep with the fishes. He wasn’t dead. He was there. At the bridal expo.
And Mia was staring at him.
Mia stood frozen in place, locked in a staring contest with the man who’d come close to destroying her life. She’d spent months after his disappearance in Miami PD’s crosshairs as their primary person of interest. Given her father’s position as a lieutenant who ran illegal gambling games for the Boldano Family and the occasional incarcerations of her dad and brother Posi Carina – who was currently finishing a stint at the Triborough Correctional Facility for indulging in his illegal habit of stealing luxury sports cars — Mia found herself enduring the kind of notoriety usually trained on celebrities. Public interest in her eventually faded but left her battle-scarred, to say nothing of the emotional toll her relationship with Adam had taken on her. But finally, almost two years later, Mia’s life was on track. A great job. A nice home in Astoria she shared with her grandmother Elisabetta. And a boyfriend who would hopefully propose to her before senile dementia set in for one or both of them.
But now, this. This!