My Sweetheart by Shannon Guymon

she said, pouting at all of the measuring cups and bowls littering the counter.
                  Jane sighed and put her hands on her waist. “No cheating. Sorry. Look Meredith, I know I’m making you do this, and I know that in the end you’ll have to go on a date with Kam and everything, but I really need this. If I don’t force Tate to go out with me, then he never will.”
                  Meredith blinked a few times as if she was coming out of a stupor. “Go out with Kam? He’s so gorgeous. Why would he ever want to ask me out?” she asked timidly, picking up the measuring spoons.
                  Jane pursed her lips and handed Meredith the recipe for cupcakes. “Well, he told me just the other night that the wife he picks has to cook just as good as his mom. I don’t think he cares much that he looks like a Samoan Prince and that he should be dating a model. He’s all about the sweets. If you can cook, he’ll date you. Easy.”
                  Meredith frowned at the recipe. “I haven’t dated anyone since Dane. What if I make the yummiest dessert in the world and Kam does ask me out? How could I go out with him?” she asked uncertainly.
                  Jane bit her lip and shrugged. “You put on a cute outfit, some make up and go. I think you should group date for a while. It would be more fun and less stressful. This way your parents and your brother will stop pestering you. I know it’s hard Meredith, but Kam would be so easy going and it’s for a good cause . Me .”
                  Meredith nodded her head thoughtfully. “He really is a sweetheart. Did you know that when Dane died last year, Kam brought me over a carved butterfly he’d made himself? He told me it was the symbol of resurrection and that he knew Dane would live again someday.”
                  Jane smiled sadly at her friend and patted her back. “What a thoughtful gesture. See? Kam is the safest guy to start going out with. And it will help me a ton. So you don’t even have a choice,” she stated handing a block of butter to Meredith.
                  Meredith smiled suddenly, her face lighting up. “Well, it’s not like I have a choice in this. Okay then, let’s get started. I can’t believe Tate doesn’t think I can learn to cook. He’s going to regret saying that,” she said in a deadly voice and then went to work.
                  Jane grinned at the determination she saw in Meredith and laughed to herself. Tate was as good as hers.
                  An hour later, Jane frowned at the lopsided cupcakes and lifted one up. She took a small nibble and closed her eyes. They might look pathetic, but the taste was good. She opened her eyes and looked at Meredith who was biting her nails nervously, waiting for her verdict.
                  “They’re not bad Meredith. We just need to work on presentation. When we show up at the party on Saturday, Kam will fall in love,” she stated, taking another bite as Meredith jumped up and down in the kitchen, whooping and pumping her fist like a rocker at her first concert.
                  They cleaned up and headed to the movies, Jane’s treat for forcing Meredith to cook. If Meredith noticed that Jane slept through the whole movie, she didn’t make a big deal about it.
                  They walked out of the theater and Jane let Meredith chatter away, as she covered her yawn.
                  “ Jane! Darling, I’m so glad I ran into you.”
                  Jane felt a cold shiver slip down her back as she turned and watched Alex Foster run across the street to reach her. His eyes were bright with excitement. She moved back a few steps as he reached out for her hand, but he was too quick, taking her hand in both of his, kissing her knuckles and pulling her closer.
                  Meredith