Max had happily agreed to make the cake for Stacey's wedding and she after two full on days finally had the cake and cupcakes almost finished. The cake was rich vanilla butter cake, lemon buttercream, and raspberries, the cupcakes were red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
She called Papa and asked for the truck, she explained that she was going to a wedding and would be dropping the cakes to the reception first.
Papa laughed and told her to go get ready and he would send someone to help her carry it all in, he also promised to she could keep them for the wedding and they would help her get the equipment all back later.
Max did her hair, some make up and some perfume later she was happy as she pulled on a simple dress she had brought for the wedding, it was steel-gray fabric with a white thick strip along the bottom just before the hem and a white strips that gave her chest the look of a wrap and a white stripe across her waist, it was a wide skirt that just reached her knees and with her black heels, a black clutch and some silver earrings and bracelet she was set.
She was finishing moving her handbag into the clutch then the door bell rang and she pulled it open expecting to see Barney in a suit grinning at her cheekily.
She had not expected to see Gunnar filling up the door frame looking great in a well-tailored fine black suit with a black shirt underneath and his hair styled off of his face for once. He flashed her a cheesy grin, his white teeth standing out against his tan skin and his laugh lines just starting to be noticeable.
"Hi" she breathed a little shy
"Tool said you needed someone to help ya with all those cakes" he answered
"Yes"
"Lead on" he smiled watching her turn and lead him into the kitchen were the cake was in pieces boxed up, the cupcakes all pack into carry containers and the equipment she needed to put it all together once they got there.
"This is everything" she pointed
Gunnar walked up behind her and placing a hand on her shoulder slowly spun her around, he bent down and placed a kiss on her cheek
"You look beautiful Cupcake" he smiled
"Thank you" she blushed slightly
"Hope you don't mind getting stuck with me again"
She looked at him blankly and he continued
"Tool told me Stace's brother-in-law was getting too full on a the rehearsals and planning meetings, Stace said for you to bring someone to scare him away." he muttered
"What else did Papa say?" She was dying to know what lies he had spun
"You didn't want to be alone around this guy and Stacey also didn't want that. The guys were heading up to Vegas on a boys weekend thing so I was the only option"
"You didn't want to go to Vegas?"
"No, too many bad memories and too much sex drugs and rock n roll for this addict"
"Ex addict" Max corrected
"There is no such thing" Gunnar answered sadly "Once an addict always one but you can be an addict that doesn't use anymore"
"Does it bother you? Them drinking and partying so hard"
"No" He answered "I don't mind them drinking, I still enjoy hanging out with the boys but always being in a bar or around drugs means I miss it and am reminded why I gave it up I guess"
"Why did you?"
"Almost killed me and I almost ruined those closest to me" he answered honestly
"Is it hard?"
"Only when I don't have something to keep me busy or happy"
"Im glad your clean, sober and happy"
"Me too Cupcake"
"I'm glad you came to be my fake date" she smiled "You look great by the way"
"Yeah its been awhile since I had to scrub up and dress up proper" he admits
"I like you in jeans and t-shirts more" she admitted
"Ill move it all to the truck, finish getting all pretty" He smiled
Max finished refreshing the make up and getting her clutch before Gunnar helped her into the truck in her dress, they pulled up and Max lead Gunnar into the kitchen of the reception. She pulled a large oversized men's t-shirt over her head so it covered her from neck to knee and assembled the cake and put out the cupcakes on display trays, she put everything away pulled the tshirt off and Gunnar pulled into the church moments later, they sat down and after a minute the wedding started.
Max looked at Stacey in her gown and smiled happily, she reached out and placed her hand on Gunnar's knee still looking straight ahead, she smiled to herself when Gunnar's large hand shifted, he wrapped his hand around hers and left them both on his knee for the rest of the service. Max cheered when the couple kissed and waved at Stacey as she exited the wedding church, Max chatted with Stacey's sisters for a moment before waving Gunnar over.
She noticed the girls eyes widen slightly at Gunnar's height and build and while she could tell they were intimidated she could see that they also appreciated his good looks.
"This is Gunnar" she introduced smiling as his arm wrapped itself behind her back and around her waist
"Nice to meet you" they smiled before wandering off
"Lets hit the reception" max smiled
Max held out her hand for Gunnar's and after being given his hand she walked them out of the church, she climbed into the truck and after reaching the reception climbed back out to find herself engulfed into a hug of white tulle and hairspray air. Stacey hugged her tight and told her how amazing the cake looked and the room was just perfect, as Stacey left she saw Gunnar chuckling at her
"Shut it" she laughed pulling him inside.
She stuck with sprite or orange juice for the afternoon and since the food was only finger foods they walked around chatting to people, people seemed to burst after talking with Gunnar a moment, having questions that they must have been dying to ask
"What do you do?"
"How did you meet?"
"How do you stay so fit?"
"Wow your tall!"
"How much can you weight press?"
"Your such a cute couple" and max would just smile
Finally after the speeches the music started and she grabbed Gunnar leading him onto the dance floor
"Finally a good song" she smiled stepping closer to Gunnar and looking at him waiting for him to lead the dance
Gunnar smiled at the younger woman and since they wasn't any fathers or almost uncles or the guys there pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her with his hands resting on her hips. He easily danced them around for a few songs before the cake was cut and at Max request danced one more slow song with her.
She sighed happily and leant her head against his shoulder singing along quietly with the artist. She looked at Gunnar and smiled her shy smile
"Thank you" she smiled
"Welcome" he answered as it ended
Gunnar packed the truck up as Max said a quick goodbye to Stacey and after waving off the happy newly weds she came over to the truck and climbed in
Gunnar unpacked everything back into her kitchen and Max gave him another hug, snuggling in close with her head in the crook of his neck
"Your too wonderful Hendrik" she whispered
Gunnar looked down at her and placed a hand on each shoulder, she closed her eyes thinking she would get a kiss finally when he gently pushed her away and stepped back looking down at the floor
"Max" he muttered brokenly "Don't do this too me"
"Do what?" She asked as tears came to her eyes
"Please don't cry Cupcake, please" he pleaded
"Your killing me here" he added
"How?" She asked "You flirt with me, you talk with me, you help me and are so lovely. You almost kiss me and you hold me tight when we dance so why wont you just kiss me already" she asked
"You know I can't" he answered
"Cant or wont?" she challenged with tears running down her face
"Cupcake please"
"Do you even want to kiss me, regardless of whether you can?"
Gunnar stepped forward and taking her hand placed it over his heart, she could feel the fast pounding of his heart
"Cupcake you have no idea how much I do but I cant and its killing me and if you keep doing this to me, flirting with me, hugging me, kisses on my cheek, holding my hand, smiling shyly at me and dancing so close to me. I will kiss you then I wont be able to stop and I will ruin everything"
"Henrik" she started stepping closer
"I can't Max, I cant I'm so sorry" he almost sobbed turning away
"Is it coz of Papa and Barney?" She pushed
"I owe them my life Max and I have to repay them. I owe them more than I can ever repay so I will ignore the feelings I have in here" he hit his chest roughly "to do it I will. I promised I would protect you and that includes protecting you from me" Gunnar stated as he turned and walked out of the house.