Read Nothing Tastes As Good (Cupcake Goddess) Online
Authors: Shéa MacLeod
Nothing Tastes As Good (Cupcake Goddess) (4 page)
Kate frowned. “Fat Kate.”
Branwen snorted. There was something seriously screwed up with this civilization that a gorgeous woman could only see herself as fat. “Look harder.”
“Um, I have nice eyes.”
“Nice?” Branwen raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, they’re really pretty. They’re my favorite feature,” Kate admitted.
“What else?”
Kate frowned as she stared at herself, her real self, in the mirror. “I have really nice skin. I never noticed that before.”
“I think they call that alabaster.”
Kate gave her a wobbly smile. “I always thought I was pasty, but I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I am. What else?”
“My lips are pretty nice, I guess. They’re, um…”
“Kissable.”
Kate blushed a good, fiery red. “Yeah, I guess some people might think that.”
“This is just between you and me, but Kyle certainly thinks that.” Branwen winked at the girl causing another round of blushing. Oh, she did enjoy these little life lessons. “Now what else do you see.”
Kate held the little silver mirror a bit further away, eyeing her reflection. “I’m quite pretty, aren’t I?” The tone of astonishment in her voice made Branwen shake her head.
“Of course you are, you idiot. Beauty has zilch to do with the size of your body. All women are gorgeous, each in her own way, whether a size 2 or a size 22. Hollywood and fashion designers can say what they like, but beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, ages, and races. What do you think creates beauty in the first place?”
A little smile teased the corner of Kate’s mouth. “What’s inside you.”
“Indeed.” The girl was finally catching on. “And you, my girl, are drop dead gorgeous. Now get the hell out there and show the world what you’re made of.”
“Yes, ma’am.” This time Kate’s smile was wide enough to blind the sun.
* * *
Kate threw back her curtains, letting the morning sun flood her home. She smiled, reveling in the glory of the day, in the glory of being herself.
In usual Branwen style, it was as though the last few weeks had never happened. Which meant Tiffany didn’t remember Skinny Kate and neither did anyone else. In fact, it meant the second date with Kyle never happened either.
She’d taken all her skinny clothes to Goodwill and gone shopping again, this time with a positive attitude in tow. She’d been shocked to find there was a local plus-size lingerie shop stuffed to the brim with gorgeous under things. She’d come home with bags of the stuff.
The sales girls at the various clothing stores had been surprisingly helpful, putting together cute outfits for her to try on. Kate had been surprised to find out that with a few little tricks up her sleeve, she could get things to fit the way she wanted them to. Gone were the days of all black tops and shapeless gray dresses. In were cobalt-blue wrap dresses, tops in bright colors, and sassy boots over skinny jeans Who knew she could pull off skinny jeans!
Kate was feeling, in a word, fantastic. For the first time ever she not only accepted her size 16 self, she was loving it.
Her cell phone gave a little trill. It was Tiffany. “Hey, girl.”
“Hey, yourself. You’re sounding awfully cheerful this morning.”
“I’m feeling awfully cheerful. What’s up?”
“Well, I’m having a party this weekend. I know you don’t like to come to my parties, but I thought I’d invite you anyway.”
“Sounds fun.”
There was a pause. “What?”
“I said, it sounds fun,” Kate said. “When?”
“Saturday. Nine o’clock.” Tiffany’s tone was absolutely stunned.
“Great. I’ll be there. You want me to bring anything?”
“Maybe some little bowls of nibbles.”
“Sure thing. See you then.” Kate practically giggled as she hung up. She’d never, ever said yes to one of Tiffany’s parties. She’d bet anything her best friend was in complete shock right about now. “I guess I need to go shopping.”
* * *
Kate eyeballed a set of ramekins. Four dollars for a set of four wasn’t bad and they’d be great for serving nibbles at Tiffany’s party. Should she get one set or two?
“You can never have too many ramekins.”
The voice startled Kate out of her thoughts and she whirled to face the speaker. Dark hair just slightly curly. Eyes the color of emeralds. Oh, lord.
She finally found her voice. “You make a lot of soufflés or something?” she teased.
A smile curved his lips. His so very kissable lips. “Or something. I’ve been a chef for the last ten years.”
“Oh. I guess you would have used a ramekin or two then.” Kate’s smile widened.
“Yeah. I guess I would have.”
For what seemed like ages and yet no time at all they just stared at each other. Finally Kate couldn’t stand another minute. “Hi, Kyle.”
“Hi, Kate. I was afraid I’d never see you again.”
She swallowed, old fears rising to the surface. She shoved them down. She was the new Kate. The new curvy, gorgeous, fabulous size 16 Kate. The confident, smart, and maybe even a little bit funny Kate who liked cheesy scifi movies, travelling to foreign countries, and food.
“I’m sorry about the other night. I just…I got really nervous. See, I like you a lot and I just kind of freaked out a little. It’s been awhile since I dated and…”
“I like you, too.”
“What?” She stared at him, a little dazed.
“I said, I like you, too.”
“Oh.” She gave him a goofy smile. “That’s good.”
His grin widened and he flashed cute little dimples. “Yeah, it is. How about you buy those ramekins you’ve been fondling and you and I go get some coffee.”
“Okay.” Kate hugged the ramekins to her chest. “But on one condition.”
“What’s that?” Kyle asked.
“We get some cupcakes to go with that coffee.”
He laughed all the way to the checkout counter.
***
The End
About the Author
Shéa MacLeod writes urban fantasy post-apocalyptic sci-fi paranormal romances with a twist of steampunk. Mostly because she can’t make up her mind which genre she likes best.
After living in Portland, Oregon most of her life, she now makes her home in an Edwardian town house in London just a stone’s throw from the local cemetery. Which probably explains a lot. Fortunately, the neighbors are quiet.
In addition to
Cupcake Goddess
, Shéa is the author of the first three books in the ongoing
Sunwalker Saga
, and two books in the
Dragon Wars
series.
Other Books by Shéa MacLeod
The Sunwalker Saga
Dragon Wars
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