THERE'S CAKE IN MY FUTURE

Three best friends find their lives taking unexpected turns after a bridal shower game goes awry.

Bride-to-be Nicole thinks she has it all figured out when she rigs a “cake pull” for 23 of her closest pals. This tradition (think fortune cookie) has each lady pulling a “charm” out of the layers of a cake, with each charm symbolizing the puller’s near future. Sounds simple enough, until the guests pull charms other than the ones Nicole pre-selected for them. That means math teacher Mel, who craves a commitment, does not get the engagement ring she wanted, but rather a red-hot chili pepper, symbolizing passion. Soon after, she actually does get a proposal from her longtime boyfriend Fred, followed by the discovery that Fred is a serial cheater, with a string of gals in various locations. Suddenly single, Mel puts herself out on the market, with mixed results. Museum fundraiser Seema, secretly smitten with her hunky best friend Scott, was supposed to get the lusty pepper, but she nabs a shovel, for hard work, instead. And writer Nicole is shocked to get the baby carriage. Not that Nicole is totally against the idea of children, she just does not feel ready to be a mom. Besides, her fiancé Jason, an assistant coach for the NBA, already has two young girls of his own, from his previous marriage. But when Jason’s ex lands a demanding job out of town, Nicole becomes the primary caregiver to Malika and Megan. She adores them, but step-parenthood tests her every which way, putting a strain on her relationship with Jason. Meanwhile, Seema, who isn’t the superstitious type and doesn’t really care about the stupid shovel anyway, gets tired of watching the man she loves date other women, and decides to risk everything by revealing her true feelings.

Gimmicky romp about letting life surprise you. Gruenenfelder (Misery Loves Cabernet, 2009, etc.) too often relies on sitcom one-liners, but her women are smart, likable and good to each other.